The classic number configurations that let you find mines and safe cells instantly.
? ? = covered cell, numbers are revealed cells, ■ = guaranteed mine, □ = guaranteed safe cell.Minesweeper is a logic game, and logic repeats itself. The same number configurations appear in almost every game, and each one has a guaranteed conclusion. Players who memorize these minesweeper patterns solve boards dramatically faster than players who reason from scratch. This guide covers every pattern you need, from the basic 1-1 to the famous 1-2-1.
All patterns below apply to Bean Boom and every classic minesweeper game. If you are new to the game, start with the rules guide first.
Two "1" cells sit side by side against a wall (or any already-revealed area). Both 1s share the same two covered neighbors, so there is exactly one mine in those two cells. That satisfies both 1s — which means every other covered cell touching the second 1 is safe.
The mine is under one of the two cells between the 1s; the cells marked □ beyond them are safe to reveal.
The 1-1 pattern is the single most common pattern in the game. Train your eyes to scan rows of 1s along walls — each pair hands you free safe cells.
A "1" next to a "2" along a wall. The 2 needs two mines among its three covered neighbors; the 1 can only "afford" one mine in the two cells they share. That forces the 2's third cell — the one beyond the 1's reach — to be a mine, and the cell beyond that to be safe.
Mine goes where the ■ is. The two cells to its right (□) are safe, because the 2 is already satisfied.
The 1-2 pattern is the workhorse of fast minesweeper play. Once you see it, you can instantly place a mine and reveal a safe cell with zero further thought.
The famous 1-2-1 appears when three numbers sit against a wall. The middle 2 must have both its mines at the two ends, satisfying both 1s. The cell directly above the 2 is always safe.
Mines at both ■ positions; the middle □ above the 2 is safe.
Players who know 1-2-1 clear these situations instantly while everyone else is still counting. It shows up constantly along board edges.
Four numbers in a row against a wall. Only one arrangement of mines satisfies all four numbers: a mine at each end, with the two middle cells safe.
Mines under both ■ cells; everything between them is safe.
A corner cell has only three neighbors. If you reveal a "1" directly in the corner, its single mine hides among those three neighbors. The rest of the board is unaffected — don't waste effort flagging elsewhere.
When a corner 1 is paired with an adjacent 1 along the edge, the same logic as the 1-1 pattern applies: one mine covers both 1s, and cells beyond the pair are safe.
Not every situation matches a named pattern. When you face a 3, 4, or higher, reduce it: subtract the flags already placed around the number. A "4" with two flags next to it behaves exactly like a "2". Every pattern above still applies — you just apply it to the reduced number.
Reduction works in both directions. A "1" that already touches a flag is a "0": every other covered neighbor is guaranteed safe. This one habit — re-reading numbers after each flag — unlocks most "stuck" boards.
In the final phase, combine patterns with the mine counter. If the counter shows one mine left and two covered regions remain, only one region can hold it. If a region must contain a mine to satisfy its numbers, every cell in the other region is safe. For a deeper treatment, see the strategy guide.
Yes. Patterns are pure logic: if the number configuration matches, the conclusion is always true, regardless of the board. They work in every minesweeper game including Bean Boom.
The 1-2 pattern is the most frequently used. Once you internalize it, you will spot safe cells and mines along walls almost instantly.
On most boards, combinations of patterns plus counting solve everything. In classic minesweeper some boards end in an unavoidable 50/50 guess, but patterns greatly reduce how often you need to guess.