How to Win at Azul - letsplaygames.uk

An Azul Strategy Guide for Dominating the Game

Azul is a game of careful planning, tactical drafting, and a little bit of psychological warfare. While it might seem like a simple tile-laying game at first, a keen understanding of its mechanics and a solid strategy can make all the difference. If you want to outplay your opponents and consistently come out on top, this guide will break down the best ways to win.

Starting Strong: The First Few Moves Matter

Your opening moves in Azul can set the stage for the entire game. A strong start means more control over your board, better scoring opportunities, and fewer wasted tiles. Here’s what to aim for:

Ideal First Move: Taking three blue or four white tiles and placing them in the middle column gives you a great foundation.

Best First Round: If possible, try securing a red tile, two yellow, and three blue while working toward four white and five black in the middle column.
Fast-Track to Success: If you can get three blue tiles in the middle column within the first two moves, do it.

Controlling the pace early on prevents you from being forced into bad decisions later.

Tile Drafting: When to Take and When to Wait

Drafting is where strategy meets psychology. Grabbing tiles too soon can leave you with an inefficient board, while waiting too long might mean missing out on what you need. Here’s what to keep in mind:

If you have multiple options for getting a tile, wait before taking it—unless it’s in the center and could be grouped by your opponent.
If your opponent doesn’t need a color and there are four or five available, leave them for later and push them into the middle.

Once the center has been broken, prioritize taking from there over individual displays to maintain flexibility.

The key is to keep your options open while limiting your opponent’s opportunities.

Managing Your Floor: When to Take the Hit

Negative points can seem intimidating, but a well-timed floor penalty can sometimes work in your favor. Here’s how to handle them wisely:

A -1 or -2 penalty at the end of a round is insignificant in the grand scheme of things.
The longer the game progresses, the more points each tile is worth, making small penalties even less relevant.
If you and your opponent are both taking penalties, consider it a neutral exchange—especially if you force them into a worse situation.

Try not to enter a round with partially filled rows 4 and 5 unless it’s still early in the game. This almost guarantees overflow.

The real danger isn’t taking a couple of penalties—it’s putting yourself in a position where you have no good moves.

The Power of the Starting Player Marker

Some players overlook the importance of the starting player token, but in skilled games, this can be a deciding factor.

Try to take the starting player marker in the first four rounds.
If you’re going to take it, do so on the second turn of the round rather than the first to avoid unnecessary penalties.
If you aren’t going to be the next starting player, don’t leave yourself with too many empty spaces. Otherwise, you might not get the tiles you need.

It’s a small piece of cardboard, but it can have a big impact.

Blocking: A Little Bit of Malice Goes a Long Way

You don’t just want to build your board efficiently—you also want to mess with your opponent. Good blocking can stop them from completing key sets or force them into negative points. Here’s how to do it:

If your opponent needs a specific tile to complete row 4 or 5, take it—even if it means putting it in a low-value row or on your floor.

If an opponent needs one more tile to complete a row, push all of that color into the center, forcing them to take too many.
Leaving your opponent with partially filled rows in rounds 4 and 5 is always a good play.

A well-placed block can be just as satisfying as a high-scoring move.

The Last Round: Closing the Game Like a Pro

When the game is nearing its end, every move counts. This is when your planning pays off—or when mistakes become impossible to fix.

Know when the game is about to end and ensure you’ll have the most points when it does.
If you’re triggering the final round, double-check that you’re actually winning.

Don’t take the starting player marker in the last round.
If you’re close to completing a five-of-a-kind, go for it—this is the best time to take the risk.
If denying your opponent a column or a five-of-a-kind means taking a penalty, it’s usually worth it.

The best Azul players aren’t just thinking about their own board—they’re controlling the entire game.

Strategies to Win at Azul at Different Player Counts

Azul plays differently depending on how many players are at the table, and adjusting your strategy accordingly can be the difference between victory and a frustrating loss. Here’s how to adapt:

Two-Player Azul Strategy

More Control, More Blocking – With only one opponent, every move you make has a bigger impact. You can be much more intentional about denying them the tiles they need while setting yourself up for success.

Tile Counting Matters More – Pay close attention to how many of each tile type are left in the round. If you can manipulate the flow so your opponent is forced to take a big, unwanted group of tiles, you’ll gain an advantage.
Plan Several Turns Ahead – Since there are fewer players influencing the game state, it’s easier to anticipate what your opponent might take next. Use this to your advantage by setting up favorable draws for yourself while pushing them toward inefficient choices.

Three-Player Azul Strategy

Balance Blocking with Efficiency – With an extra opponent, blocking becomes trickier. You can’t stop both players all the time, so focus on maximizing your own board while interfering when possible.

Look for Freebies – Sometimes two players will be competing for a specific color, leaving another color uncontested. Recognizing these moments allows you to swoop in and collect valuable tiles with minimal risk.
Adapt to Changing Dynamics – The tile pool changes quickly in a three-player game. Be flexible and adjust your plan if a key tile unexpectedly disappears or a new opportunity arises.

Four-Player Azul Strategy

Expect More Chaos – With four players, it’s almost impossible to predict what tiles will be available by the time it’s your turn again. Have backup plans in case your preferred option is gone.

Don’t Overcommit Early – If you put too many tiles into a row early in the round, you might end up stuck with an excess of unwanted tiles later. Stay flexible.
Be Cautious with the Center – Since more players are taking tiles, the center pile can build up quickly. If you time it right, you can grab a big batch of useful tiles, but if you miscalculate, you might get stuck with a bad set.
Pay Attention to Turn Order – The first player marker rotates each round, so anticipate when you’ll have first choice and plan accordingly.

Regardless of player count, the key to winning Azul is adapting to the available tiles while keeping an eye on your opponents. The more you play, the better you’ll get at reading the board and making optimal decisions.

Final Thoughts: Stay Flexible, Stay Smart

Winning at Azul isn’t just about following a fixed strategy—it’s about adapting. You have to read the board, anticipate your opponent’s moves, and adjust as needed. Some rounds, you’ll play aggressively; others, you’ll play defensively. Sometimes, a penalty is fine; other times, it’s disastrous.

Keep these strategies in mind, and you’ll start seeing better results. Happy playing!