What Nonogram PvP is
A nonogram, also called picross, is a grid puzzle solved from number clues. Each row and column lists the lengths of its consecutive filled runs, in order, and you use those clues to work out exactly which cells are filled and which are empty. Completing the grid reveals a small picture. PvP Stakes runs it as a head-to-head race to solve.
How a match works
The solution and its derived row and column clues come from the shared match seed, so both players solve the identical puzzle. You switch between fill mode and mark mode: fill a cell you are sure is filled, or place an X on a cell you have deduced is empty. Solve a grid and a fresh, harder one is dealt, so the match rewards fast, confident deduction over guesswork.
Rules summary
Each clue number is the length of a run of filled cells in that row or column, listed in order with at least one gap between runs. Cross-reference rows against columns to lock in forced cells. A wrong fill will not stick, so use the X marks to record cells you know are empty and narrow the possibilities down toward the single valid solution.
Why it is skill, not gambling
Both players solve the identical seeded grid from the identical clues, so nobody gets an easier puzzle — cleaner deduction and faster cross-referencing win. Every finished match publishes the seed reveal and recorded inputs, so the clues and every cell you filled or marked can be replayed and independently verified.
Stakes and payouts
Pick a buy-in before matchmaking. Both stakes form the pot, the rake is transparent, and the winner takes the balance. Free practice grids let you train your deduction without staking and stay separate from cash play.
Frequently asked questions
What do the numbers mean?
Each number along a row or column is the length of a run of filled cells, listed in order. Runs of different clues are separated by at least one empty cell.
Do both players get the same puzzle?
Yes. The solution and its clues come from the shared match seed, so both players solve the identical grid and the faster, cleaner solver wins.
What are the X marks for?
Mark mode places an X on cells you have deduced are empty. They are a solving aid that keeps your reasoning straight — a wrong fill will not stick, so marking empties helps you home in on the solution.
How is the winner decided?
The player with the higher score when time runs out wins the pot, driven by solving grids faster and reaching more difficulty-scaled puzzles.