When colorful tiles are spread on the table, the wonderful game of "Azul" begins. Azul is an abstract strategy board game designed by Michael Kiesling, inspired by the famous Portuguese Azulejos painted tile art. Below, let's analyze the winning strategy of "Azul" in depth to help you advance from a novice to a tile master.

 

1、 Basic Rules

（1）Game Preparation Phase

Each player gets a personal board (including pattern rows, wall rows, floor rows), and scoring markers. Place factory discs in the central area (5 for 2-player games, 7 for 3-player games, and 9 for 4-player games). Put 100 tiles (20 tiles of each of 5 colors) into a bag and shuffle.

（2）Complete Game Process

Retrieving Phase

Randomly draw 4 tiles from the bag and place them on each factory disc. Players take turns to select all tiles of the same color from any factory, and the unselected tiles are moved to the central area (midfield). When all factories are cleared, the last player to take the remaining tiles in the midfield must take away the remaining tiles.

Placement phase

Place the tiles obtained in the pattern row on the left side of the board, and only one color can be placed in each row. The extra tiles go into the floor row (1 point is deducted for each tile).

Settlement phase

When a row is filled, move the rightmost tile to the corresponding wall position.

Scoring rules:

Basic score: 1 point for each new tile placed.

Chain score: +1 point for each adjacent (horizontal/vertical) tile.

Final score: +2 points for a complete horizontal row, +7 points for a complete vertical column, +10 points for collecting 5 colors.

（3）Game end conditions

When a player completes any complete horizontal row on the wall, the game settles the final score after the current round ends.

 

2、Beginners must learn: 5 basic skills

（1） Prioritize completing a row

When selecting tiles in each round, prioritize gathering 5 bricks of the same color to fill a row (columns 1-5). Completing a row as quickly as possible can unlock the pattern area on the right to place them and avoid waste.

For example: If there are already 2 blue bricks in the 3rd row, prioritize taking 3 blue bricks to fill it up at once.

（2）Control the central supply area

The tiles in the central area are public resources. When taking them, you need to calculate the opponent's needs. If the opponent urgently needs a certain color, you can take them first or force the opponent to take too many bricks.

（3）Avoid taking too many bricks

Unused bricks will be deducted points in each round (-1 point per brick). When taking bricks, accurately calculate the number required for the current round, especially when taking the central area, pay attention to the remaining bricks.

（4）Prioritize occupying the middle column

The pattern score and completion reward of the middle column (column 3) are higher. Completing them as soon as possible can accumulate score advantages.

（5）Observe the opponent's layout

Pay attention to the color that the opponent lacks and avoid providing key bricks to them, especially in the late game, which may block the opponent's key grid.

 

3、Advanced strategy

（1）Combo: Factory area + central area combination to get bricks

If there are 3 red bricks in the factory area and 2 red bricks in the central area, you can take all the red bricks (5) at once, which not only monopolizes the color but also may force the opponent to take excessive bricks of other colors.

（2）Deduction trap tactics

When there are only 1-2 bricks of a certain color left, deliberately leave them to the opponent so that they cannot complete the row and are forced to deduct points. Applicable to the situation where the opponent's floor row is full.

（3）The magic of floor row (negative partition)

Sometimes actively accept a small amount of deduction (-1 point or -2 points) to grab key bricks, especially when you need to complete 5 of the same color or complete a column for the next round, but avoid deducting more than 3 points in a single round.

（4）End game planning

In the late game (3-4 rounds remaining), give up the long-term layout and give priority to completing the rows or columns that have been started to ensure maximum score per round.

（5）Color distribution memory

Remember the number of tile colors used (20 tiles for each color), calculate the remaining probability, and avoid gambling on scarce colors.

（6）Fight for the right to go first

Taking the starting player mark in the central area can ensure the first move in the next round, especially in the key rounds (such as the last round) to grab the key bricks.

 

4、 Common misunderstandings and pit avoidance guide

Misunderstanding 1: Only pay attention to your own board and don't observe your opponent

Correct approach: Always pay attention to the color your opponent needs, block or change strategy in time.

Misunderstanding 2: Blindly pursue contiguous pieces and ignore the end-game rewards

Correct approach: Balance short-term scores and end-game rewards (such as completing a whole row/column).

Misunderstanding 3: Floor row deductions don't matter

Correct approach: Deductions of more than 3 points may affect the outcome, so try to control the deductions.

Azul's rules are simple, but the strategic depth is extremely high, allowing you to experience different decision-making fun in every game. Whether it is a family gathering or a duel between board game veterans, it can bring an exciting gaming experience. I hope this guide can help you master the game skills faster and enjoy the fun of this classic board game!

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