[SOLVED] Setting up new widget areas

Ok, I have a couple of questions on what may be obvious to most people but it isn't to me so here I am

When creating new widget areas, would you create 9 separate areas with one cell per area, all specified to the position you want them or do you create 3 areas of 3 cells each and have them positioned to either 9, 8, or 7 depending on what row they are on?

Also, if you area able to create 9 separate areas, can each area have 9 cells in it? No, I don't really want to do that. I'm just trying to understand how the areas can be setup.

Thanks!