--- title: "Bouclo tips: 8 patterns to draw the loop faster · SIWA" description: "Zeros, corners, neighbouring 3s, the dot rule, inside and outside: eight Slitherlink patterns to solve the daily Bouclo grid without trial and error." canonical_url: "https://dev.siwa.io/en/guides/astuces-bouclo" last_updated: 2026-11-03 locale: en meta: "og:description": "Zeros, corners, neighbouring 3s, the dot rule, inside and outside: eight Slitherlink patterns to solve the daily Bouclo grid without trial and error." "og:image": "https://dev.siwa.io/og/en/bouclo.jpg?v=163669ed" "og:image:alt": "Bouclo · Draw a single loop across the grid" "og:image:height": "630" "og:image:type": image/jpeg "og:image:width": "1200" "og:title": "Bouclo tips: 8 patterns to draw the loop faster" "twitter:image": "https://dev.siwa.io/og/en/bouclo.jpg?v=163669ed" "twitter:image:alt": "Bouclo · Draw a single loop across the grid" --- > Index of every page on this site: [llms.txt](https://dev.siwa.io/llms.txt) How to play # Bouclo tips: 8 patterns to draw the loop faster To solve Bouclo faster, learn to recognise a handful of patterns: zeros, numbers in corners, neighbouring 3s, then the dot rule, since every dot carries zero or two segments. These Slitherlink patterns place the first segments without any calculation; after that, follow the line and avoid closing small loops too early. Updated November 3, 2026 [Play Bouclo](https://play.dev.siwa.io/game/bouclo) ## Patterns that place the first segments These patterns work on every grid, whatever its size. Scan the grid for them before you draw anything. ### 1. Zeros A 0 means none of the cell's four sides belongs to the loop. All four edges are ruled out, which immediately constrains the neighbouring cells and dots. A 3 touching a 0, for instance, has its other three sides drawn. ### 2. Grid corners The corner dot of the grid has only two possible segments: either the loop uses both, or neither. Hence two very useful rules: - a **3 in a corner** always has both outer sides drawn; - a **1 in a corner** has neither of its outer sides in the loop. ### 3. Two adjacent 3s When two 3s share a side, draw three parallel segments: the shared side and their two opposite sides. The two edges that extend the shared side, at either end, are ruled out. This is often the best starting point in the middle of the grid. ### 4. Two diagonal 3s When two 3s touch at a corner, each one has its two outer sides drawn, the ones pointing away from the shared dot. The loop then forms two corners facing each other across the contact point. ## The dot rule ### 5. Zero or two segments, never one Every dot carries zero or two segments. This simple rule drives most grids forward: - a dot that already has **two segments** cannot take more: its other edges are ruled out; - a dot with **one segment** and only one other possible exit must take it; - a dot with **only one possible exit** and no segment yet cannot use it: that edge is ruled out. On the border of the grid a dot has only three possible edges, and two in a corner, so deductions there come faster than in the middle. ### 6. Follow the line As soon as a segment is placed, follow both its ends. At each dot, ask which exits are still possible. A line running past a series of numbers often extends by several segments before it meets a real choice. ## Techniques for big grids On Sundays the grid grows to 8 columns by 11 rows and more cells are left without a number. These two techniques make the difference. ### 7. No small loops The solution is a single loop. If joining two nearby line ends would close a circuit while other segments exist elsewhere on the grid, that edge is forbidden. Think of it whenever two line ends get close: it is a free elimination. ### 8. Inside and outside A closed loop splits the cells into two zones, inside and outside. Everything beyond the edge of the grid is outside. Crossing a segment switches zones; crossing an empty edge does not. - A 0 is in the same zone as its four neighbours. - A 3 has three neighbours in the other zone and only one in its own. - Two neighbouring cells separated by a ruled-out edge are in the same zone. Bouclo does not let you shade cells, so do this reasoning in your head on a small part of the grid. It often unlocks areas where numbers are missing. ## Protecting your score The game ends as soon as your loop matches the solution. The score out of 1000 accounts for time, mistakes and jokers. You can draw, erase, undo and cross out freely: a mistake is closing a loop that does not match the numbers. A single mistake costs only a few points, but they add up to as much as half the performance score. A joker costs about 60 points, so keep it for a grid that is truly stuck. To review the rules and a sample grid, read [how to play Bouclo](https://dev.siwa.io/en/guides/comment-jouer-a-bouclo). For a change of logic, try [Binero](https://dev.siwa.io/en/games/binero), SIWA's Takuzu. ## Frequently asked questions
Where should you start a Bouclo grid? Start with the 0s, which have no side drawn, then with numbers in the corners of the grid and with 3s next to each other. These cells place or rule out several segments at once.
What do you do with two adjacent 3s? Draw the three parallel segments: the side they share and their two opposite sides. The edges that extend the shared side, at both ends, are ruled out.
How do you avoid mistakes in Bouclo? Drawing, erasing and undoing cost nothing: only a closed loop that breaks the numbers counts as a mistake. Before closing the loop, check that every number has its count of sides.
Is the Bouclo joker worth it? A joker costs about 60 points and first reveals a loop segment you have not drawn yet. It is useful to restart a stuck grid, but a single mistake costs far less.
## Ready to play? Today's grid is waiting, free and without sign-up. [Play Bouclo](https://play.dev.siwa.io/game/bouclo) ## More guides [B

How to play Bouclo

The rules of Bouclo, SIWA's daily Slitherlink: one closed loop, numbers that count its sides. Controls, scoring and a sample grid solved step by step.How to playRead the guide](https://dev.siwa.io/en/guides/comment-jouer-a-bouclo) [SSBPBODM

Daily logic games

Sudoku, Takuzu, nonogram, Slitherlink, Mastermind: eight free logic games with a new grid every day. In your browser, no sign-up.PicksRead the guide](https://dev.siwa.io/en/guides/jeux-de-logique-quotidiens) [PBB

Games like Picross

Love Picross, nonograms or Griddlers? Pixelo offers a free nonogram every day in the browser. Two more grid logic puzzles round out the selection.AlternativeRead the guide](https://dev.siwa.io/en/guides/jeux-comme-picross) [Play Bouclo](https://play.dev.siwa.io/game/bouclo) ```json {"@context":"https://schema.org","@graph":[{"@id":"https://dev.siwa.io/#identity","@type":"Organization","email":"hello@siwa.io","name":"SIWA","url":"https://dev.siwa.io/","logo":{"@id":"https://dev.siwa.io/#logo"}},{"@id":"https://dev.siwa.io/#website","@type":"WebSite","inLanguage":"en-US","name":"SIWA","url":"https://dev.siwa.io/","publisher":{"@id":"https://dev.siwa.io/#identity"}},{"@id":"https://dev.siwa.io/en/guides/astuces-bouclo#webpage","dateModified":"2026-11-03","datePublished":"2026-11-03","description":"Zeros, corners, neighbouring 3s, the dot rule, inside and outside: eight Slitherlink patterns to solve the daily Bouclo grid without trial and error.","name":"Bouclo tips: 8 patterns to draw the loop faster","url":"https://dev.siwa.io/en/guides/astuces-bouclo","@type":["WebPage","FAQPage"],"breadcrumb":{"@id":"https://dev.siwa.io/en/guides/astuces-bouclo#breadcrumb"},"isPartOf":{"@id":"https://dev.siwa.io/#website"},"mainEntity":[{"@id":"https://dev.siwa.io/en/guides/astuces-bouclo#/schema/question/1"},{"@id":"https://dev.siwa.io/en/guides/astuces-bouclo#/schema/question/2"},{"@id":"https://dev.siwa.io/en/guides/astuces-bouclo#/schema/question/3"},{"@id":"https://dev.siwa.io/en/guides/astuces-bouclo#/schema/question/4"}],"potentialAction":[{"@type":"ReadAction","target":["https://dev.siwa.io/en/guides/astuces-bouclo"]}],"primaryImageOfPage":{"@id":"https://dev.siwa.io/#logo"}},{"@id":"https://dev.siwa.io/en/guides/astuces-bouclo#article","@type":"Article","dateModified":"2026-11-03","datePublished":"2026-11-03","description":"Zeros, corners, neighbouring 3s, the dot rule, inside and outside: eight Slitherlink patterns to solve the daily Bouclo grid without trial and error.","headline":"Bouclo tips: 8 patterns to draw the loop faster","inLanguage":"en","mainEntityOfPage":"https://dev.siwa.io/en/guides/astuces-bouclo","thumbnailUrl":"https://dev.siwa.io/og/en/bouclo.jpg?v=163669ed","author":{"@id":"https://dev.siwa.io/#identity"},"image":{"@id":"https://dev.siwa.io/#/schema/image/1"},"isPartOf":{"@id":"https://dev.siwa.io/en/guides/astuces-bouclo#webpage"},"publisher":{"@id":"https://dev.siwa.io/#identity"}},{"@id":"https://dev.siwa.io/en/guides/astuces-bouclo#breadcrumb","@type":"BreadcrumbList","itemListElement":[{"@type":"ListItem","name":"Home","item":"https://dev.siwa.io/en","position":1},{"@type":"ListItem","name":"Guides","item":"https://dev.siwa.io/en/guides","position":2},{"@type":"ListItem","name":"Bouclo tips","position":3}]},{"@id":"https://dev.siwa.io/en/guides/astuces-bouclo#/schema/question/1","@type":"Question","inLanguage":"en-US","name":"Where should you start a Bouclo grid?","acceptedAnswer":{"@type":"Answer","text":"Start with the 0s, which have no side drawn, then with numbers in the corners of the grid and with 3s next to each other. These cells place or rule out several segments at once."}},{"@id":"https://dev.siwa.io/en/guides/astuces-bouclo#/schema/question/2","@type":"Question","inLanguage":"en-US","name":"What do you do with two adjacent 3s?","acceptedAnswer":{"@type":"Answer","text":"Draw the three parallel segments: the side they share and their two opposite sides. The edges that extend the shared side, at both ends, are ruled out."}},{"@id":"https://dev.siwa.io/en/guides/astuces-bouclo#/schema/question/3","@type":"Question","inLanguage":"en-US","name":"How do you avoid mistakes in Bouclo?","acceptedAnswer":{"@type":"Answer","text":"Drawing, erasing and undoing cost nothing: only a closed loop that breaks the numbers counts as a mistake. Before closing the loop, check that every number has its count of sides."}},{"@id":"https://dev.siwa.io/en/guides/astuces-bouclo#/schema/question/4","@type":"Question","inLanguage":"en-US","name":"Is the Bouclo joker worth it?","acceptedAnswer":{"@type":"Answer","text":"A joker costs about 60 points and first reveals a loop segment you have not drawn yet. It is useful to restart a stuck grid, but a single mistake costs far less."}},{"@id":"https://dev.siwa.io/#logo","@type":"ImageObject","caption":"SIWA","contentUrl":"https://dev.siwa.io/logo-siwa.svg","inLanguage":"en-US","url":"https://dev.siwa.io/logo-siwa.svg"},{"@id":"https://dev.siwa.io/#/schema/image/1","@type":"ImageObject","contentUrl":"https://dev.siwa.io/og/en/bouclo.jpg?v=163669ed","inLanguage":"en-US","url":"https://dev.siwa.io/og/en/bouclo.jpg?v=163669ed"}]} ``` ## Sitemap See the full [sitemap](https://dev.siwa.io/sitemap.md) for all pages.