Azul: Playing Guide, Rules & Strategy Tips
Introduction
Azul is a tile-based board game where players compete to create the most beautiful mosaic wall. It’s a game of strategy and planning, and it’s got a bit of history too. I find it to be one of the most stunningly designed board games out there right now (and it seems a lot of people agree, given the overall reviews). The game was inspired by the azulejos, which are colored tiles that were used to decorate palaces in Portugal.
Since its release in 2017, Azul has won a bunch of awards and has become a favorite among board game enthusiasts. The game is designed for 2 to 4 players and usually takes about 30 to 45 minutes to play. The goal is to score points by placing tiles on your board to create patterns and complete sets. Sounds simple, but there’s a lot of depth to it!
Quick Tip for Azul
Always keep an eye on your opponents’ boards. It can give you clues about what tiles they might be after next!
Rules for playing Azul
Alright, let’s get into the rules of Azul. The game is played over several rounds, and each round has three phases: Factory Offer, Wall-Tiling, and Prep for the next round. In the Factory Offer phase, players take turns picking tiles from factories or the center of the table. You can only pick tiles of the same color, and when you do, the rest of the tiles go to the center. In the Wall-Tiling phase, you move the tiles you’ve picked onto your board. You can only place tiles in rows where they fit and match the pattern. Any extra tiles you can’t place will cost you points. Finally, in the Prep phase, you get ready for the next round by refilling the factories with new tiles from the bag.
Scoring happens during the Wall-Tiling phase. You get points for each tile you place, plus bonus points if you complete a row, column, or connect tiles of the same color. At the end of the game, there are additional points for completed rows, columns, and for each color of tile you’ve collected the most of. The player with the most points wins!
Equipment and Setup for Azul
For Azul, you need a few things to play. Each player gets a player board, and there are also factory displays that hold the tiles. You’ll have a bag filled with tiles of different colors, a scoring track, and a first player marker. The types of tiles in Azul are just different colors, but they’re all equally important for creating patterns and scoring points.
Setting up the game is easy. You place the factories in the middle of the table and fill each one with four randomly drawn tiles from the bag. Each player takes a player board and places it in front of them. Then, you’re ready to start playing!
How to Play Azul and Game Mechanics
Here’s a breakdown of how a typical game of Azul goes:
- Setup: Prepare the factories with tiles and give each player a board.
- Gameplay: Players take turns picking tiles and placing them on their boards.
- End of the Game: The game ends after a round where at least one player has completed a horizontal line on their board. Final scoring happens, and the highest score wins.
During gameplay, you’ll be focusing on these key phases:
- Factory Offer: Choose tiles from a factory or the center.
- Wall-Tiling: Move your chosen tiles onto your board to score points.
- Prep: Get ready for the next round by refilling the factories with new tiles.
How to Win at Azul
Winning at Azul is all about strategy. You want to pick tiles that fit well on your board and score you the most points. It’s also important to think ahead and plan for future rounds. Sometimes, it’s worth taking a hit in points to set yourself up for a big score later on. Keep an eye on what your opponents are doing too. If you can predict their moves, you can plan yours to either block them or take advantage of the tiles they leave behind.
Remember, completing rows, columns, and collecting colors are all ways to score extra points. So, try to balance your focus between these goals. It’s also good to have a backup plan in case the tiles you need get taken by another player.
Best Strategies for playing Azul game
When it comes to strategies for Azul, there are a few key things to keep in mind:
First, try to work on completing your rows from the bottom up. This gives you more flexibility with the types of tiles you can place. Also, don’t forget about the end game scoring. Focusing on completing one color of tiles can give you a big bonus at the end.
Another strategy is to keep an eye on the tiles that are left in the factories and the center. Sometimes, you can force your opponent to take a bunch of tiles they can’t use, which will cost them points. This can be a sneaky way to get ahead.
Lastly, try to be flexible. The best-laid plans can fall apart if the tiles you need just aren’t coming up. Be ready to change your strategy on the fly!
Scenarios
Sometimes in Azul, you’ll find yourself in a tough spot. Maybe you’re stuck with tiles you can’t place, or your opponent just took the tiles you needed. When this happens, try to minimize the damage. Take tiles that might not fit perfectly but still give you some points. Or, take tiles that will set you up for the next round.
On the flip side, if you’re in a good position, think about how you can maximize your points. Maybe there’s a way to complete a row and a column at the same time. Or, maybe you can grab a bunch of the same color tiles to set yourself up for that end game bonus.
Frequently Asked Questions about playing Azul game
Here are some common questions people have when playing Azul:
Q: Can I take tiles from more than one factory in a turn?
A: No, you can only take tiles from one factory or the center on your turn.
Q: What happens if I can’t place all the tiles I take?
A: Any tiles you can’t place on your board go to the floor line and will cost you points.
Q: Can I place tiles in any row I want?
A: You can place tiles in any row, but they have to match the color pattern on your board.
Q: How do I score points?
A: You score points for each tile you place, plus bonuses for completing rows, columns, and collecting colors.
Q: What’s the best way to win?
A: The best way to win is to plan ahead, be flexible, and keep an eye on what your opponents are doing.
External Links
If you want to learn more about Azul or get your hands on the official rulebook, check out these links:
Official Azul Page
Azul Championships at the World Series of Board Gaming [Video]
A digital native around since the early days of online gaming communities around 2001. An early contributor to the cult gaming site ClanTemplates, Adam has spent years giving free gaming resources to the community. With BoardCards, Adam is most experienced and commonly writing the articles on Strategy multi-player games like Settlers of Catan and Avalon. His first introduction to board games was via Mancala, an Egyptian-origin stone game and one of the oldest known games still played worldwide. Contact me via email
