Lesson 3 — When to press H (Hint Mode)
Hint Mode is available on Green Dot Pro accounts. It highlights the region of the board most likely to unblock you — never the solution itself. This lesson teaches when to reach for it and how to internalise the nudge.
Rule 1 — Never in the first three minutes
Give yourself real time to think before pressing H. Hint Mode in the first three minutes teaches you nothing; you have not even scanned the board yet.
Rule 2 — Use it after ten minutes of stuck-time
If ten minutes have passed and your board has not changed, that is stuck-time. Press H. The nudge saves you from twenty more frustrated minutes and it is what your Pro subscription is for.
Rule 3 — Study the highlighted region
Do not immediately click a cell in the highlighted region. First, look at it. Ask why the algorithm thinks it is the unlock — usually a row/column intersection you missed. Learning to see that yourself is the point.
Rule 4 — Do not press H twice on the same board
One nudge per board. If you are still stuck after using it, accept the day — solve it tomorrow from the archive, when your head is clearer.