One of these friends and I were playing when he asked me, “Now, do you really consider Connect 4 a board game? It’s not played on a board.” 

This immediately started my mind going, sparking this article to answer the question: Is Connect 4 a board game? 

Whether or not Connect 4 is a board game is a hotly debated topic, but it shares most similar qualities with strategy board games, like chess, checkers, or backgammon, so I believe it is. It’s essentially a board game played in the dimensions of height and width rather than length and width. 

Of course, there is room for debate here, and I wanted to look at both sides in this article. 

Is Connect 4 A Board Game?

People have enjoyed board games for centuries, providing entertainment, social interaction, and strategic challenges. 

They have evolved into a diverse and dynamic form of gaming, offering a wide range of themes, mechanics, and player experiences. 

Connect 4, a classic two-player game, is one such example that has captivated players of all ages. 

What Is A Board Game?

A board game is a tabletop game typically played on a physical board or surface and involves players moving pieces or tokens according to rules and objectives. 

Board games may require strategy, skill, luck, or a combination of these elements and usually involve competition or cooperation among players.

Key characteristics and features of board games include:

Physical board or surface: 

Board games are played on a designated board or surface that serves as the playing area. 

The board may be divided into spaces or sections and feature markings, paths, or other visual elements guiding gameplay.

Pieces or tokens: 

Board games utilize physical pieces or tokens that represent players, objects, or resources within the game world. 

Players move or manipulate the pieces according to the rules and objectives of the game.

Rules and objectives: 

Board games have predefined rules and objectives that dictate how the game is played, including how pieces move, how players interact, and how the game is won or lost. 

Rules may be simple or complex and vary depending on the board game.

Player interaction: 

Board games typically involve interaction among players, whether it’s through competitive gameplay, cooperative teamwork, or negotiation. 

Player interaction can add depth and dynamics to the gameplay, making board games a social and engaging experience.

Connect 4 as a Board Game

Connect 4 is a classic board game that meets the criteria of a traditional board game. 

It features a physical board with a grid of 6 rows and 7 columns. Players take turns dropping colored discs into the columns to connect four of their discs in a row, either vertically, horizontally, or diagonally. 

Connect 4 exhibits the key characteristics and features of a board game, as discussed above:

Physical board: 

Connect 4 is played on a physical board with a grid of 6 rows and 7 columns, where players place their discs.

The board uses the dimension of height rather than length, as most board games do. 

Imagine if the game were played flat on the table but in the same way. 

It’d be just like other strategy board games like chess, checkers, or backgammon. 

Pieces or tokens: Connect 4 uses colored discs as game pieces, with players taking turns dropping their discs into the columns to strategically place them on the board.

Rules and objectives: Connect 4 has clear rules and objectives that govern the game. 

Players take turns placing their discs, aiming to connect four discs in a row, and blocking their opponent’s attempts to do the same.

Player interaction: Connect 4 involves direct competition between two players, each trying to outwit their opponent and create a winning connection of discs. 

Players must anticipate their opponent’s moves and make strategic decisions to achieve victory.

Is Connect 4 A Puzzle Game?

But if you’re someone who disagrees, I understand. After all, few true board games are so “simple” in play and use the height dimension to such an important degree.

However, if Connect 4 isn’t a board game, what is it? Most people settle on some kind of puzzle game. 

Puzzle games are a popular genre of games that challenge players to solve problems or puzzles using logic, critical thinking, and problem-solving skills. 

These games often require players to analyze patterns, manipulate objects, or arrange elements in a particular way to achieve a goal. 

Connect 4, while primarily classified as a board game, shares similarities with puzzle games in terms of its gameplay and mechanics.

What Makes a Puzzle Game

Puzzle games typically involve challenges that require players to solve problems or puzzles using their cognitive abilities. 

These challenges may be presented in various forms, such as spatial, pattern recognition, or logic puzzles. Key features of puzzle games include:

Problem-solving: 

Puzzle games require players to analyze problems, think critically, and develop solutions. 

Players may need to plan their moves, anticipate outcomes, or use trial and error to achieve their objectives.

Logic and reasoning: 

Puzzle games often involve logical thinking and reasoning skills. 

Players may need to identify patterns, make connections between different elements, or deduce solutions based on clues or information provided.

Gameplay mechanics: 

Puzzle games may have unique gameplay mechanics that involve manipulating objects, rearranging elements, or solving puzzles in a particular sequence or order. 

These mechanics provide the challenge and complexity that makes puzzle games engaging.

Connect 4 as a Puzzle Game

Connect 4 shares some similarities with puzzle games regarding their gameplay mechanics. 

In Connect 4, players drop colored discs into columns to connect four of their discs in a row, either vertically, horizontally, or diagonally. 

The mechanics of strategically dropping discs, arranging them, and planning moves to create a winning connection is similar to puzzle-solving.

Connect 4 requires players to think ahead, analyze the board, and plan their moves to create a winning combination of discs. 

Players must anticipate their opponent’s moves, block their opponent’s attempts, and create opportunities to connect four discs. 

This strategic and analytical aspect of the gameplay in Connect 4 shares similarities with puzzle games, where players must use their cognitive abilities to solve puzzles and overcome challenges.

How Connect 4 Differs From Puzzle Games

Despite the similarities, Connect 4 doesn’t quite fit the bill for the following reasons: 

• Connect 4 is primarily categorized as a board game, not a puzzle game.
• It was invented and marketed as a type of board game.
• Connect 4 is a competitive game that requires players to anticipate and block their opponent’s moves, unlike puzzle games which are often solo challenges.
• Puzzle games may have a wide range of themes, styles, and variations, while Connect 4 has standardized gameplay with a specific goal of connecting four discs in a row.
• The end game or winning condition is the same no matter what (like a puzzle game). But the exact win condition changes depending on how the play goes with the opponent. 

What Type Of Game Is Connect 4? Final Answer

Connect 4 is fascinating, but at the end of the day, there is no reason not to qualify it as a strategy board game. 

If you think about the game it is similar to, you’ll find most like chess, checker, and backgammon, and all of these typically come with two tags: 

1. Traditional board game
2. Strategy board game

If not for Connect 4’s unique foray into the 3rd dimension (intended by its inventor), most people wouldn’t even question its place in this category. 

Whatever you call it, it’s a fun game for the whole family and really gets your brain moving! 

Speaking of inventors, learn more about who invented Connect 4 and how this game became so popular. 

The post Is Connect 4 A Board Game? A Look At Both Sides appeared first on Huddle Around Games.

Played on a vertical grid, the objective of the game is to be the first to connect four of your colored discs in a row, either vertically, horizontally, or diagonally. 

With its easy-to-learn rules and addictive gameplay, Connect 4 has become a staple in family game nights, social gatherings, and even competitive tournaments. 

But where did it all come from? 

That’s a question many people have wondered, and today, we’re here to answer this question for you. 

Who Invented Connect 4? A Tale Of Two Men

Connect 4 was the brainchild of Howard Wexler and Ned Strongin, two individuals who came together to create this iconic board game. The game was published by Milton Bradley in 1974 and has been popular ever since! 

About Howard Wexler

Howard Wexler, a toy designer by profession, had a deep passion for games and puzzles from a young age. 

He had a keen eye for creating engaging and interactive toys that brought joy to people of all ages. 

Wexler’s background in toy design and experience in the game industry played a crucial role in the creation of Connect 4. 

This wasn’t the first game he’d made that had been popular. But he used his experience to come up with this new game, and it rocked the world.

His Partner: Ned Strongin

On the other hand, Ned Strongin was a marketing expert with a knack for identifying trends and consumer preferences. 

He had extensive experience in the marketing and sales of games and toys. This proved to be invaluable in the commercial success of Connect 4. 

Strongin’s collaboration with Wexler was a key factor in bringing the game to the masses and making it a household name.

Moving The Gaming World Into 3 Dimensions

The creative process behind the invention of Connect 4 involved inspiration, idea generation, and development. 

According to Wexler, the idea for Connect 4 came to him while watching his son play with pencils and coins, arranging them in a row. 

This simple observation sparked the concept of a game that involves connecting four discs in a row. 

Wexler and Strongin then worked together to refine the idea and bring it to life.

The development of Connect 4 involved prototyping and testing to ensure that the game was fun, challenging, and strategically engaging. 

Wexler and Strongin experimented with different board sizes, disc configurations, and rules to fine-tune the gameplay. 

They focused on creating a game that was easy to understand yet offered depth and complexity in strategic decision-making.

If it wasn’t for this perfect combination of marketing from Strongin and Wexler’s design, it may have never taken off like it did.

Milton Bradley’s Release Of Connect 4

Milton Bradley, a renowned American game company, played a pivotal role in the commercial release of Connect 4. 

After the invention of the game by Howard Wexler and Ned Strongin, Milton Bradley recognized its potential and decided to bring it to market.

The commercial release of Connect 4 by Milton Bradley took place in 1974.

This was following the successful development and testing of the game by Wexler and Strongin. 

The circumstances surrounding the release involved meticulous planning, production, and distribution strategies to ensure its success in the market.

Milton Bradley leveraged its reputation as a prominent game manufacturer in the United States to promote Connect 4. 

With a long-standing history of producing popular and high-quality games, Milton Bradley was able to create a buzz around the release of Connect 4.

He generated excitement among game enthusiasts and consumers alike.

The game was widely advertised through various media channels, including television, print, and in-store promotions. 

Milton Bradley also strategically partnered with retailers to ensure the widespread availability of the game across different markets.

The initial reception of Connect 4 as a commercial product was overwhelmingly positive. 

The game quickly gained popularity among players of all ages for its simple yet addictive gameplay and strategic depth. 

Its unique concept of connecting four discs in a row resonated with audiences, making it an instant hit in the board game market.\

Has Connect 4 Changed Since It Was Invented?

Connect 4 has evolved as a game since its initial release, with updates, modifications, and variations introduced over the years. 

The game has seen several changes in its design, components, and adaptations, making it a versatile and enduring board game.

One notable evolution of Connect 4 is the introduction of different themes and editions. 

Many special editions of the game have been released, featuring popular characters, branded themes, or unique designs. 

These variations often come with special game boards, playing pieces, or rules that add a fresh twist to the classic gameplay.

In addition to themed editions, there have been modifications and updates to the game mechanics. 

Some versions of Connect 4 have incorporated additional rules or variations, such as allowing players to rotate discs, use different shapes for the game pieces, or play on larger or smaller boards. 

These updates have added new layers of complexity and strategic depth to the game, offering players fresh challenges and opportunities for creative gameplay.

Connect 4 has also seen spin-offs and adaptations in various forms. 

Digital versions of the game have been developed for video game consoles, computers, and mobile devices, allowing players to enjoy the game online or offline with friends and opponents from around the world. 

Additionally, Connect 4 has been adapted into educational versions for children, featuring learning elements such as math, spelling, or strategy skills, making it a popular choice for educational settings.

Despite these evolutions, the core concept of connecting four discs in a row remains the essence of the game. 

The simple yet engaging gameplay of Connect 4 has stood the test of time, making it a beloved and recognizable board game that continues to be enjoyed by players of all ages worldwide.

Further Reading: Is Connect 4 a Board Game at all?

The post Who Invented Connect 4? A History Of This Fun Game appeared first on Huddle Around Games.

It’s amazing how such a simple set of gameplay rules results in hours of entertainment and memories. 

If you lost your instruction booklet or need some clarification, this guide to Blank Slate Rules is for you! 

Things You’ll Need To Play Blank Slate

First and foremost, you’ll need the Blank Slate Board Game. 

Get this quick and easy party game for hours of fun!

Learn and play the game within minutes.

Fun for the whole family!

Check it out on Amazon

Contained in this box are the following items: 

• 250 cue cards
  • 500 Questions (1 on each side of each card)
• 8 dry-erase markers with an eraser on the cap
• 8 blank slate whiteboards
• 1 scoreboard
• 1 box for keeping cue cards in

How To Win Blank Slate: Objective

The first player to reach 25 points wins the game! 

If there is a tie, another round should be played. The first player of those two to score (or scores the most) wins the game. 

Points are scored by matching the missing words with other players. 

1. If no words are matched, you earn zero (0) points. 
2. If only one person is matched (2 players match), each earns 3 points. 
3. If more than one person is matched, each earns 1 point. 

How To Play Blank Slate

Hand out the blank slate whiteboards and dry-erase markers. 

Get out the scoreboard and elect one player to keep track of the scores. 

Shuffle the cue cards and place them in the card box. 

Figure out who is going to start as a selector. 

This person draws one card from the front of the box and reads the clue. Then, they place the card on the table where everyone can see it. 

Each player writes down an answer to complete the phrase where the blank goes. They don’t show the answers at this point. 

Once all answers are written down, players show their words (usually one at a time, starting with the player left of the selector).

Once everyone has shown their words, points are added to the scoreboard. 

• 0 points for no matches. 
• 3 points for exactly one match. 
• 1 pint for more than one match. 

Note: See the scoring examples in the next section if you need clarification. 

Put the cue card in the back of the box (or keep it somewhere separate to avoid shuffling it into later gameplay sessions). 

The player to the selector’s left becomes the new selector. The gameplay continues until someone reaches 25 points. 

Blank Slate Scoring Examples

The only part that may trip you up in this game is keeping score. I’ve seen a few people get into minor arguments over this. 

But once you see a few examples, it all makes sense. 

Example 1 

5 people are playing. The cue is: “Home ________.”

After writing down their answers, we see the following answers: 

• Bob = Homegrown
• Sue = Home improvement
• Jacinta = Home sweet home
• Toni = Home improvement
• Zeke = Homegrown

Jacinta gets zero points for making no matches. Sue and Toni get 3 points each for matching each other. Zeke and Bob get 3 points each for matching each other. 

Example 2 

5 people are playing. The cue is “______ Town.”

After writing down their answers, we see the following answers: 

• Bob = Funky Town
• Sue = Funky Town
• Jacinta = Small Town
• Toni = Funky Town
• Zeke = Funky Town

Bob, Sue, Toni, and Zeke all get 1 point for matching more than one person. Jacinta gets zero points for zero matches. 

Example 3

8 people are playing. The cue is “________ House.”

After writing down their answers, we see the following answers: 

• Bob = Dog House
• Sue = Small House
• Jacinta = Full House
• Toni = Small House
• Zeke = Full House
• Migale = Dog House
• Carl = Dog House
• Sally = Haunted House

Sally gets zero points for matching no one. Jacinta and Zeke get 3 points for matching each other. 

Sue and Toni get 3 points for matching each other. Bob, Migale, and Carl get 1 point for matching more than one person. 

Blank Slate Rules And Guidelines For Continuing Fun

Ultimately, it’s up to you and your friends to decide if an addition is allowed. Here are some of the games suggested rule clarifications: 

• Additions must be more than one letter (If the clue is “house ____,” you can’t put “Houses”).
• Adding a syllable is OK if the original clue is still audible (If the clue is “Day ___,” “daylight” is just fine).
• Proper nouns or names are acceptable (If the clue is “___ Dog,” then “Snoop Dog” is OK). 
• Only add one word to the clue to make it work*. 

*My family doesn’t worry about this one-word rule as much. If something has a clear phrase, then it’s fine. 

But it’s in everyone’s best interest to stick with adding one word, as it’ll make the game go faster and increase your chances of winning. 

For example, we’re fine with the answer “Home Sweet Home” if the clue is “Home ____.”

Other Tips For Keeping Your Game Fun

• Put the caps back on the markers firmly. They will dry out. Replacement markers can be bought anywhere for pretty cheap too. 
• Decide in your group ahead of time what’s appropriate and inappropriate. When playing with all adult friends, maybe anything can go. But if your kids are near or playing too, set the restrictions first to avoid problems. 
• Let the selector pick either the front or back side to offer some more strategy on their part. 
• Keep discarded cards separate from the others during a lot of play (called marathon play) to avoid repeats. 
• If someone or some people are taking too long to write a word, consider using a timer. 

Quick Tips To Help You Win Blank Slate

There isn’t much to increase your odds of winning this game. And to be honest, this game is all about the experience of picking words with your friends and family. 

If you do want to win, here are the two hints I have to offer: 

1. Pick words that make good sense with the clue. 
2. Pick words someone at your table is more likely to pick. 

Let’s look at this in action. 

If the clue is “_____ House.” 

First, brainstorm options: 

• Small house
• Haunted house
• Brick house
• Full House

Now, think about the people at your table. If I’m playing with my sister, I know she’s a huge 90s sitcom fan. 

She’s more likely to pick “Full House,” so that’s what I’ll go with. 

It doesn’t work every time, but it’s better than you’d think. 

Get Those Words Brewing!

For hours and quick fun with family and friends, Blank Slate is a must. 

It’s not hard to play at all and takes only minutes to explain. 

If you’d like to read our detailed Blank Slate review, head on over to the link. 

The post Blank Slate Rules: How To Play & Tips For Winning appeared first on Huddle Around Games.

But is it really all it’s cracked up to be? 

I wanted to take a look for you and play at least 100 hours of the game before forming my opinion. 

Take it all with a grain of salt, but here’s my Blank Slate game review. 

Blank Slate is a quick game but a ton of fun for the whole family. With a simple word-association premise yet millions of options from 500 cue cards, you’ll play this easy game over and over again and rarely have the same experience. 

The Low-Down: Blank Slate Game Review

How To Play In 200 Words (Or Less)

The game ends when one player earns 25 points. Hand out a blank slate whiteboard and dry-erase marker to each player. 

Get out the cue cards and select one player to be the scorekeeper. 

Show one cue card. It’ll have one word on it; the other will be blank. 

Each player writes down a word that fits the missing one on the card. 

For example, if you get the cue “house blank,” some people may write: 

• House party
• House rules

After everyone has a hidden answer, everyone reveals what they wrote. Look for matches. 

One pair matching (two players) means those two people get three points marked on the scoreboard. Three or more matches of one word are only worth one point each. 

If you don’t match, you don’t get points. 

Tally the points and then erase your blank slates. Put the cue card into a discard pile and draw another one. 

Repeat play until someone gets 25 points. 

If there are any disputes, the majority rules, so take a vote. 

Check out our guide on how to play Blank Slate for more details.

Positives Of Blank Slate

I like to focus on the positives first. Every game has some value, so take a look here for Blank Slate’s good elements. 

If you like what you hear, check the game out and get it for yourself. 

Get this quick and easy party game for hours of fun!

Learn and play the game within minutes.

Fun for the whole family!

Check it out on Amazon

Easy To Explain

My family are big into board games, but some members of my family aren’t big into complicated games. Of course, with practice, they pick it up, but it’s always a bit rough at first. 

We didn’t have this problem at all with Blank Slate. My sister-in-law explained it to us in under 5 minutes. 

From there, we were able to play the game for about 3 hours that first night. It was a blast! 

I always test games and rules out on my young kids too. All three boys (6, 8, and 10) picked it up instantly. 

Lots Of Variety

The cues themselves were big in variety. Each cue sent you in a different direction from most of the others, so we didn’t end up repeating many words at all. 

Of course, the more people you have, the more variety you get too. 

Fun With Kids And Adults

Not every game translates well between kids and adults, but this one is quite versatile. The cues may be bit tough with some age groups, but most of them are fine. 

Just use your best judgment and skip some that younger kids may not know. 

Of course, if you’re playing with all adults, some of the cues may lead to some…adult responses. 

You don’t have to play the game this way. It’s geared toward family-friendly fun. 

But if you’ve ever played open-ended games with my brother, you’ll know they don’t always end up so appropriate! 

A Ton Of Cues

This game comes with 250 cards with a cue on the front and the back. 

One side has all the cues with the blank second, and one side has all the cues with the blank first. 

It’s best to mix these up for some better variety. 

Eventually, you’ll start repeating words, but you shouldn’t do it so often you find yourselves with the same experience over and over. 

I recommend keeping used cards separate from the rest for a while. It’ll help accidentally shuffling in cards you just did in your last play session.

A Fast Game

I love games that take hours and hours to play, but not everyone does. This game is in and out in 30 minutes, max. Sometimes it’s much less. 

If you like quick games, this is one you should check out for sure! 

Negatives Of Blank Slate

Not every game is perfect, and while this one is a ton of fun, there are little things you may want to be aware of before you buy. 

Check out our list of answers to common Blank Slate questions at the link.

Little Strategy

There’s not a lot to think about when it comes to this game. 

Since you want to pair your answer with someone else, you really only need to think about two things: 

1. What’s a common word that matches the given cue?
2. What is a word someone at your game is likely to pick? 

Outside of this, it’s all luck. But it’s still fun to play. 

Not Complex

Some people like it when a game has a couple of different levels to consider, whether it’s different phases of a game or different ways to get points or an advantage.

With Blank Slate, what you see is what you get. 

Some Repetition If Played A Lot

If you play a ton in a row, there’s a chance some of the cues may repeat or be similar to what you’ve played recently. This isn’t likely to happen in a single session, but it may happen if you play many days in a row.

Smaller Groups Are Less Fun

I’ve played with three players and eight players (even beyond too). Larger groups are a lot more fun. 

You get more variety, and people play off one another more often. 

With small groups, you end up with the same people matching or missing altogether. It’s much less fun. 

The Verdict

Blank Slate is a must-have for your game collection. It satisfies casual players and makes for a fun, quick game for a lot of folks. It’s versatile and simple, but the game changes almost every time you play it. 

The post Official Blank Slate Game Review (After 100+ Hours) appeared first on Huddle Around Games.

We picked it up in our family recently, and it’s become a common game for us to play. 

I’m asked a lot of questions about this game (people seem to assume I know everything about all games), so I decided to research the answers and put them all together in this simple FAQ on Blank Slate. 

When Did The Game Blank Slate Come Out?

The game Blank Slate was released in 2018. It sits in the same vein as Codenames and Master Word. Since then, it’s risen to become one of the more popular board games with the wider public. 

Every holiday season, the game hits a peak for the year as sales skyrocket. In 2018, when it was released, it was quite popular. 

But then it went down for a couple of years. 

Last year in 2021, it rose again in popularity, and it looks like this 2022 season, it’ll be the most popular yet! 

Check out our official Blank Slate game review here.

Who Made The Game Blank Slate?

The Blank Slate board game was made by Robert A. Kamp and published by The OP Game Studio, or USAopoly. Their most popular games include Blank Slate, Telestrations, Tapple, Hues and Cues, and Venn. 

Bob Kamp is a new game designer with a big future ahead of him. His new big game is called Ferret Out. 

We haven’t had the chance to play it yet, but if it’s as fun as Blank Slate, I know it’ll be on the list before too long. 

How Many People Can Play The Game Blank Slate?

Blank Slate is best played between 4-8 players. It’s possible to play with fewer, though it’s less fun as you’ll match words less often. It’s also possible to play with more. All they need is something to write on and keep track of the score! 

Going above or below this amount of players will slow the game down, but that doesn’t mean it still won’t be fun. 

With 4-8 players, expect the game to take between 20-30 minutes. 

Learn more about the Blank Slate Rules in our guide here.

What Kind Of Game Is Blank Slate?

Blank Slate is a word-association party game. Players get a cue card of a two-word phrase with one of the words missing. They write down the word they think is missing on a “blank slate” or whiteboard. Players earn points by matching words.  

There isn’t much to this game, but that’s OK! It’s quick and fun to play. 

Get this quick and easy party game for hours of fun!

Learn and play the game within minutes.

Fun for the whole family!

Check it out on Amazon

How Is the Game Blank Slate Played?

To play Blank Slate, hand out a dry-erase marker and blank slate whiteboard. Select one person to track the score. One player flips a cue card and reads it out loud. Then, players write down the missing word. Compare answers to hand out points. 

If one pair matches the word, they both get three points. 

If three or more match the word, they all get one point. 

When you match no one, you get no points. 

Play continues in this manner until someone reaches 25 points.

How Do You Win Blank Slate?

You win Blank Slate by being the first person to reach 25 points. You earn points by matching other players as they guess words to fit the blank on the cue cards. 

I’ve found the most success by keeping these two ideas in mind as I play: 

1. What word or words match the phrase best and most naturally? 
2. What word or words do I think a specific person playing the game will pick? 

The intersection where these two meet is where I make my guess. 

For example, let’s use the cue: Home Blank. 

Some common words that best fit are: 

• Home Depot
• Home Improvement
• Home sweet home

But if I think about my mom, who LOVES Tim Allen, I’m going to guess she’ll pick Home Improvement over the other options. 

It doesn’t work every time, but it improves your odds. 

How Many Questions Are In Blank Slate?

There are 250 cue cards in Blank Slate with a front side and a backside. This makes 500 questions in total. 250 are in a blank-first format, while the other 250 are in a blank-second format. 

Download a complete list of the cues in the Google Sheet here. 

Also, if you want some more Blank Slate Game Examples to extend your game, check out these 25 extra to add some variety. 

The post When Did The Game Blank Slate Come Out? & Other Questions appeared first on Huddle Around Games.

But if you’ve played it a lot (like our family has), you may be looking for some new Blank Slate game examples to mix it up a bit. 

We’ve tried doing this too, and so here are 25 examples to add to your game. 

In the rest of this article, we’ll share the cue cards, and some example answers you may find with them if you’re stumped. 

1. Blank You
2. I’m Blank
3. This Blank
4. You Blank
5. Blank Me
6. Blank Big
7. Space Blank
8. That’s Blank
9. I Blank
10. How Blank
11. Blank In
12. Hello Blank
13. Blank It
14. It Blank
15. Dear Blank
16. Beat Blank
17. Blank Out
18. Yes Blank
19. Move Blank
20. Drink Blank
21. Take Blank
22. Let’s Blank
23. Blank Up
24. Can Blank
25. Tommy Blank

Check out our guide for playing Blank Slate at the link.

#1 Blank You

When playing with adults, we tend to get inappropriate, but it doesn’t have to be this way. I always make sure there is also a common couple of other phrases besides the “bad” one. 

Here are some samples of this one: 

• F**k you
• Hey you
• Why you! 
• Love you!

Get this quick and easy party game for hours of fun!

Learn and play the game within minutes.

Fun for the whole family!

Check it out on Amazon

#2 I’m Blank

This one is very open-ended, so it’s common to get a whole slew of answers here. Here is a couple that comes to my mind: 

• I’m tired.
• I’m yours! 
• I’m hungry.
• I’m drunk. 

#3 This Blank

Here’s another open-ended one. My family often ends up picking the same for this one, but that’s because we say this all the time! 

• This sucks
• This one
• This blows
• This isn’t right

#4 You Blank

Opposite of the Blank You, you can get a lot of funny answers from this one too. 

• You rock! 
• You guys
• You suck
• You all

#5 Blank Me

I love it when everyone’s answer is different. It doesn’t help you win the game, but it’s great to see some funny answers. 

• F**k Me
• Why me? 
• Got me? 
• Feel me?

#6 Blank Big

This is one where I don’t think of too many, but my family and friends are always good at picking other ones. 

• Think big
• Dream big
• Really big
• Plan big

#7 Space Blank

My kids and I are nerds, so we tend to go a little overboard with this space one. We pick super-specific ones that nobody else guesses. 

• Space balls
• Space telescope
• Space time
• Space rock

#8 That’s Blank

That’s and This aren’t too different, but a whole list of different phrases comes to mind when doing this one. 

• That’s life
• That’s it! 
• That’s funny! 
• That’s no good. 

#9 I Blank

Such a simple starting word with so many possibilities. 

• I am. 
• I think. 
• I spy. 

#10 How Blank

This one is a great jumping point for so many expressions, usually around exasperation! 

• How quaint!
• How exhausting!
• How about that?
• How come?
• How you doin’?

#11 Blank In

This one doesn’t have a lot of options, but it’s good for making some quick points in the game. 

• Jump in
• Get in
• End in

#12 Hello Blank

With so many ways to say Hello, I’m surprised this one wasn’t already on the list of cues in the base game. 

• Hello there! 
• Hello dear
• Hello, it’s me. 
• Hello hello!

#13 Blank It

If it was my family, we’d all answer the swear word version of this phrase. But maybe your family and friends are better than mine. 

• F**k it
• Screw it
• Get it
• Do it!

#14 It Blank

Sometimes simply flipping the common word to the front opens up a whole new world of Blank Slate phrases. 

• It happens
• It sucks
• It follows

#15 Dear Blank

Dear is a good launching word, and it’s interesting to see how many terms of endearment people come up with. It’s also interesting to see what different family groups trend toward. 

• Dear Abby
• Dear Theodosia
• Dear me! 
• Dear writer

#16 Beat Blank

Every time I do this one, I can’t help but break out into the Michael Jackson song. 

• Beat it
• Beat down
• Beat ‘em up

#17 Blank Out

Bad things happen when the second word is Out. But it’s good for the game!

• Wipe out
• Get out
• Black out

#18 Yes Blank

Yes, yes, a thousand times yes. I always have a hard time with this one, but no one else seems to. 

• Yes sir
• Yes maam
• Yes dear

#19 Move Blank

Bossy people probably don’t have a problem finding a phrase that starts with move. 

• Move it
• Move along
• Move on

#20 Drink Blank

This one is surprisingly hard. You’d think it has a lot, but you have to really think about it. 

• Drink up
• Drink dispenser
• Drink holder

#21 Take Blank

We usually play where you can complete a phrase rather than having to use a single word. So take your time is pretty common for us. 

• Take that! 
• Take it! 
• Take your time

#22 Let’s Blank

I can hear my brother yelling, “let’s go!!!!!!” right now.

• Let’s go!
• Let’s party!
• Let’s leave
• Let’s dance

#23 Blank Up

• Get up
• Screw up
• F**k up
• Sweep up

#24 Can Blank

• Can do
• Can do-sville
• Can-can

#25 Tommy Blank

• Tommy gun
• Tommy boy
• Tommy Lee
• Tommy Hilfiger

Check out our complete FAQ list of Blank Slate board game questions.

The post 25 Blank Slate Game Examples (Make Your Game Last Longer) appeared first on Huddle Around Games.

It was so frustrating, and I didn’t know why. 

After playing a lot more and learning from pro players, I realized there were a number of key errors in the way in which I approached the game. 

Since following these 21 simple tips and Risk Global Domination strategies, my ranking has gone up, and I typically finish at least 2nd, if not 1st quite a bit. 

Keep all of these in mind the next time you play, and you may end up winning more too! 

Are you looking for some new games to spice up your life without spending a ton of money?

Enter the One Deck, Endless Fun eBook.

It contains 15 of my favorite card games you can play with a single deck of cards and a brief description of how to play each one.

I also include a handy table, breaking down each game in terms of difficulty, number of players, and the time it takes to play.

Download the eBook and start playing now!

#1 Keep Your Large Armies Together

For a while, I thought it was better to have an even spread of armies across many territories than a couple of larger armies. 

Yeah, this was a terrible mistake and cost me many games. 

The way odds work in Risk favors the 1) larger army and the 2) attacking army. So if I’m defending with a smaller army then I’m doubly doomed. 

If playing Fixed Bonuses, keep one or two large armies. 

If playing Progressive, three disconnected larger armies are ideal. 

#2 Attack When Needed, But Not Before

Don’t attack just because you can. It may be best to simply capture one territory and then stop. This way, you collect your card and build up a larger army. 

In general, if you attack, you want to outnumber the opponent by at least 25%. The higher the ratio, the better your odds. 

If you don’t have a specific reason for attacking (getting the card bonus, getting more territories, wiping an enemy out, breaking a continent, don’t do it!

#3 Make Allies, Avoid Making Others Mad

Psychology is a big part of the game of RISK, even if you’re playing in such a way that you can’t clearly communicate with the other players. 

Sometimes, especially in the early and middle games, you need to keep under the radar and be a good neighbor. 

This is a strong case to avoid breaking an enemy’s continent bonus, even if it leaves them stronger. If they get mad and too weak, they may give up and try to make you lose. 

This can often give the game to the other players. 

#4 Know Your Bonus Structure

Fixed and Progressive bonuses are two sides of the same coin, but there are several critical differences that affect how you play. 

In Fixed Risk, you get the same bonus value every time you turn in cards based on what you turn in. 

• 3 Infantry = 4
• 3 Calvary = 6
• 3 Artillery = 8
• One of each = 10

Because the growth is slow, one bigger set of troops and continent bonuses are a must. These games go longer. 

In Progressive Risk, the bonuses get bigger every single time someone turns in a card bonus. As such, continent bonuses don’t really matter as the army count gets huge.

You want to survive to get those bigger card bonuses. As such, make sure you have bigger armies spread out around the word.   

Treating them the same almost never works out. Spend your time learning one bonus or the other to start. 

#5 Grow To Get More Troops, Expand Your Reach

One of the most underrated ways to get more troops is to add more territories under your control. 

Continent bonuses are easy to see, but the troop ones are tougher to catch. 

For every 3 territories you own, you get one more troop. Even if you don’t have a continent, you can outpace them with sheer numbers. 

#6 Concentrate Your Forces Where They Can Attack Quickly

Too many people get so caught up in defense. Defense is important but you also need to be able to strike quickly and easily. 

Position your large armies, so they are next to an enemy one. If you block your troops in with your own armies, it’ll take time to get them mobilized. 

Keep them ready to go at all times. 

#7 Manage Your Card Bonuses Well

It’s not always the best choice to turn in your cards as soon as possible. 

In Progressive, it’s always better to wait as long as possible. Unless you think someone will take you out the next turn for your cards. Then, get rid of them for a chance to live longer. 

In Fixed, always wait for the best chance to get better bonuses. Turning in three cards early just makes you wait longer for the next bonus. 

#8 Don’t Spread Yourself Too Thin

If you can’t defend your current territories, then capturing as many territories as possible isn’t always a good idea. 

Balance a smaller, defendable space over spreading yourself too thin and ending up with nothing except your one army. 

#9 Watch Where People Want To Be On The Board

Most players show what their plans are by where they place their armies and where they capture. Someone who captures and moves back to the same spot is in it for the long game. 

Someone building up troops on a border is getting ready to make a push. 

If someone wants to break through you, it might be better to get out of their way, so you can keep your armies largely intact. 

Improve your logic skills!

Hours of fun with family and friends!

Rule the world and crush your enemies! (In a fun way…)

Buy the game now!

Check out game on Amazon

#10 Get Continent Bonuses (But Don’t Expend Too Many Forces In The Process)

If a continent is easy to take, take it. The bonuses will add up over time. 

If it’s going to take a lot of troops, wait and build up your armies. Eventually, the other people will start to move out of there. 

Check out our strategies with the best continents in RISK.

#11 Don’t Be Afraid To Change Tactics

If someone hates the fact that you have Australia, don’t be so attached that you lose everything in defending it. 

If someone is gunning for it, consider vacating it and leaving all your troops together in one spot somewhere else. 

Then, gradually move to another continent until you can get that one instead. 

#12 Be Patient

The players who win are the ones who wait to get into a big battle. 

The players who lose expend their troops and get wiped out by the patient ones. 

#13 Maintain Suprising Kill Lines

Some players will start to look like the weakest (they’re often called Fish in the game). 

You want to always have a line or route to get to them without needing to break through another large army. 

When they look ready to take out, use these kill lines to wipe them out, get their bonus, and plan your next move. 

If you’re lucky, you can turn in the cards right there for another bonus and take out another player. 

#14 Don’t Completely Trust Anyone

Alliances are a key part of RISK, but at the end of the day, someone’s got to win. If your opponent sees you as the leader, they may try to take you out. 

Always have a plan for how to counter-attack or change strategy.

#15 Use Bonuses To Wipe Out Players; Not Capture Continents

A general rule of thumb goes as follows: 

Use card bonuses to wipe out players, not capture continents. 

If you’re not wiping out a player, use the bonus to build up your large army. 

If you simply capture a continent, the player you left alive “suicide” into you and uses all their troops to weaken you. 

#16 Don’t Telegraph Your Plans

If you want to make a move, don’t try to let others know about your plan. Keep your troops a little farther away but still with a clear line of attack. Suprise is worth its weight in troops. 

#17 Keep Defending Territories Strong, But Not Blocked In

There are a number of bottle-necks on any RISK map, and this is a great place to plop your big army and defend the territories behind it. 

But if you can’t move that army out quickly, your opponents can make big moves to get stronger while you try to organize your troops. 

#18 Encourage Others To Overreach

My brother is a decent tactician but an excellent manipulator. He wins most of our RISK games, not because of a specific map strategy, but because he manages to get the other players to overreach or attack me. 

This is often enough to leave you strong enough to make the game all about mopping everyone up. 

#19 Know The Map

Most people play on the Classic World Map you get with the RISK board game. But there are many people who play online. 

With Hasbro’s RISK game, they have a ton of maps, and each one has its own unique setup. 

Learn each map well to have the best chance of winning and picking a good continent. 

#20 Watch The Balance Of The Game

The balance of the game refers to the number of armies each player has. When the top player is stronger than the next two combined, the balance has shifted beyond repair. 

It’s at this point the top player can win the game by taking out as many players and capturing as many as possible. 

If this isn’t you, watch when someone gets too strong. Do what you can to limit their growth. 

Don’t do it alone, or they’ll get mad and destroy you. 

If the other players know what they’re doing, they’ll help.

#21 Stay Flexible, Don’t Get Into Big Battles

Until the balance shifts, you never want to take your big army against someone else’s. At most, you’ll beat them and get wiped out next for being too weak. 

At worst, you won’t finish them off, and they’ll destroy you. 

Read more about why RISK is hard to play and how to make it easier.

The post 21 Risk Global Domination Strategy & Tips For Winning appeared first on Huddle Around Games.

But in the modern day, people don’t like to let someone hold the small and well-defended continent. 

So how do we make the RISK Australia strategy work? We’ll cover this along with tips and actionable strategies in the rest of the article. 

Tired of losing at RISK?

Not sure how to get better?

Check out our list of simple yet powerful RISK Global Domination Strategies to improve your game and winning potential.

Win more RISK Games now!

What Is The Australia Turtle Strategy In A Nutshell?

Australia is the smallest continent (tied with South America) with four territories. Capturing them all gives you a bonus of 2 troops every turn. 

It only has one access point, making it easy to defend in the early game and much of the middle game. Compared to South America, which has two access points or borders, this is better. 

The strategy involves capturing the continent and putting your troops on Siam (ideally) or Indonesia (much worse). 

Then, you wait out the other players and watch for your chance to take an opponent or opponents out. 

Note: Only attempt the Australia strategy when playing with Fixed card bonuses. Using Progressive card bonuses, the continent offers no benefit and attracts unwanted attention. 

Australia Strategy Pros And Cons

This strategy is well-loved by many players at many levels, but it’s also regarded as one of the most annoying ones too. 

It’s not all good stuff! Let’s look at the pros and cons here. 

Pros

It’s easy to take. 

With only 4 territories, many players can capture the entire continent in one turn. A one-turn capture is a dream, and it’s often possible with a good starting Australia position. 

It’s simple to defend from. 

There is only one border from Siam to Indonesia. Putting all your troops on this territory makes it costly for the enemies to break you. 

It leaves the other players to battle it out and weakens each other in fighting over the rest of the world.

RISK, especially with Fixed card bonuses, is a long-term game. Patience and gradually settling into an area to gain strength are key. 

A well-established Australian “turtle” will keep the opponents away while they battle and weaken each other. You just need to be ready to take some people out when you have the opportunity. 

With less skilled players especially, sometimes the best thing you can do is to wait them out. Australia 

It’s a tough nut for new players to crack. 

The act of breaking Australia is tough but not impossible. However, new players will either: 

• Crash everything into you and make you both lose
• Leave you alone because they don’t want to lose

Most of the time, they opt for the latter, and this gives you a chance to grow strong enough to win. 

Cons

People hate it when someone takes Australia. 

Taking Australia too early in the game draws a lot of attention to you as the leader of the game at that point. To keep the game balanced, many players will go out of their way to either trap you in Australia or take you out. 

It may be tough to get the opponents out.

People know how valuable Australia is. It’s RISK’s worst-kept secret. 

As such, they’ll often leave a handful of 3s, 4s, or even 5s armies in there to slow you down. 

If you act too fast, you’ll be too weak to hold Australia and may even end up being the first one knocked out of the game. 

In a long game, other players will outpace your growth quickly. 

Two extra armies every turn is great…in the beginning. In the middle and end games, it’s not great, especially if you don’t have a presence anywhere else. 

If you don’t establish yourself early or your opponents don’t waste themselves fighting each other, you’re looking at a second-place finish, tops. 

How To Make The RISK Australia Strategy Work For You

#1 Get The Continent Without Attracting Too Much Attention

Don’t get Australia in one fell swoop. Set yourself up to take it on the second or third, or even fourth turn. 

Also, get it without wasting a ton of troops. If you need, let someone else with a medium army there capture some territories to thin themselves out. 

Trade it your cards for a bonus and capture the continent to avoid being too weak.

Improve your logic skills!

Hours of fun with family and friends!

Rule the world and crush your enemies! (In a fun way…)

Buy the game now!

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#2 Use Siam As A Launching Point

Capture Siam and put your big army there. Every turn, capture a territory with your reinforcements and then fortify back into Siam. 

Warning! Don’t capture both India and China, and then fortify back into Siam. This will trap your army and make it so you’ll be ineffective in the game. 

#3 Build Up Your Army Slowly

Capture one territory. Fortify into Siam. Turn in card bonuses and repeat. Your army will get larger and larger. 

#4 Make Alliances

Make alliances with players near you in Asia. You want to be left alone as long as possible. 

If needed, send a small army to attack those who are enemies of your ally, just enough to prove our value to your ally. 

#5 Wait, Wait, Wait

When you are in Australia, the name of the game is waiting for the other players to weaken themselves while you get stronger and stronger. 

Pay attention to the balance of the game. If one player gets stronger than all other players combined, then they can win the game. 

If this is shaping up that way, take small actions to weaken them. Don’t break a continent bonus if you can help it or they’ll get mad at you and destroy you first.  

When you have more troops than the others combined (or close to it), and you can wipe out a player in one turn to get their cards, go for it. Take as many territories as possible and continent bonuses. 

Read more about how to win at head-to-head RISK.

Is The Aussie Continent Worth It?

All in all, the Australia strategy is one that players love to hate. 

The truth is, it works well. But it also attracts too much attention and may get you eliminated early. 

If it drops in your lap, go for it. But be flexible and don’t be afraid to give it up if you don’t see a benefit to staying there. 

The post RISK Australia Strategy: Turtle Up And Win More Often! appeared first on Huddle Around Games.

It’s amazing how the strategies are so different, even when the core mechanics of the game are the same. 

Whether playing OTB with a neutral army or head-to-head on RISK: Global Domination, we’ve got you covered with some strategies to answer the question: 

How do you win RISK with 2 Players?

Tired of losing at RISK?

Not sure how to get better?

Check out our list of simple yet powerful RISK Global Domination Strategies to improve your game and winning potential.

Win more RISK Games now!

#1 Do A Manual Placement

Luck is a huge factor in this version of the game, and where you start makes a huge difference. 

If you’re playing with someone and you do an auto-placement, you may doom yourself before the match even begins. 

Opt for a manual placement and make sure you are equally placed in an area where your opponent is. It’s in your best interest not to leave them alone in any one area. 

#2 Accept That It’s A Lot Of Luck

More than any other mode of RISK (which has small elements of luck), 1v1 RISK is largely based on luck. 

If you go first, you have a massive advantage. You’ll break any bonuses and set yourself in a good position for the rest of the game. 

Even beyond this, the dice rolls may lean in your favor or the other person’s at key moments. One bad roll is enough to lose it in 2-player RISK. 

#3 Capture As Many Territories As Possible

The name of the game is to gain as many troops for each reinforcement as possible. You do this in two main ways for a 1v1 game:

• Get many territories
• Get continent bonuses

Each round, one of your top priorities is to get both of these as much as possible. 

Learn how to win with the Australia strategy in RISK (just not in 2-player).

#4 Break The Enemy Bonus Every Time

The flip of the previous tip is to limit your opponent’s reinforcements each turn. Do this by breaking their bonus first and then taking away territories. 

Don’t be afraid of overextending yourself. In a drawn-out battle, the player with more bonuses and more territory will win quickly. 

#5 Keep Larger Armies Ready To Attack

Never, I repeat, never block in your largest army. 

It may feel safe to hide your large army in a defensive position rather than right next to enemy territory, but in this case, it’s a mistake.

If you’re blocked in, all your opponent has to do is capture everything and leave you alone. You’ll spend a whole turn fortifying and getting the army back in the game. 

During this turn, they’ll collect a big reinforcement and tip the scales in their favor. 

#6 Spread To At Least Two Far Apart Places

Keeping a large army is a good idea, otherwise, they’ll just mop you up. 

But one large army may be a bad idea. They can turn in a card bonus and break it with their attacker advantage. 

Split into two faraway places, so the enemy has to spend valuable time and resources getting you in both places. 

#7 Create Bottlenecks

Bottlenecks are the name of the game in defensive 2-player RISK. If you can set up a place where a medium army is hard to break through, you’ll have a chance at holding more territories and maybe even a continent bonus. 

Australia may seem like an obvious choice, but the bonus is too weak to make a big difference in 2-player. 

North America and Africa are the common continents here. 

Africa can be held with a three-territory bottleneck. North America is a three as well, with a higher bonus. 

If you strategize right, you can hold both North and South America with three borders. 

Just don’t get too settled into your one or two continents. Balance it with being aggressive and stopping the enemy from getting their troops. 

Improve your logic skills!

Hours of fun with family and friends!

Rule the world and crush your enemies! (In a fun way…)

Buy the game now!

Check out game on Amazon

#8 Turn In Cards Right Away

When playing head-to-head RISK, cards are a huge luck factor. Can you turn it in right away? 

Do you get the best bonus? 

Whether on a Fixed bonus or Progressive bonus, you need to be ready to act every time you can turn one in. 

Use this to beef up your larger army and take out 1) continent bonuses and then 2) their large army. 

#9 Use Specific Maps

If you’re planning on the app or desktop game, you’ll have access to other maps besides the classic world map. 

Some of these have narrow paths and a ton of bottlenecks. Rivertown comes to mind. 

In these cases, they may be better for a 2-player matchup, especially if you know the map well. 

#10 Ignore The Neutral Army

If playing OTB, the official rules state there needs to be a random neutral army in the mix. 

Don’t waste your time going after this neutral army unless you can take a continent for an easy win. 

Focus instead on stopping your human opponent’s growth. 

If playing online RISK with a bot in the third position, do the same, but keep an eye on the bot, or they may end up too strong to defeat. 

Check out our guide for how to beat Australia in RISK.

The post How Do You Win RISK With 2 Players? (1v1 Strategies) appeared first on Huddle Around Games.

Even with advanced players, getting Australia early is almost a guaranteed second-place finish. 

But there are some ways to still come out ahead even if you don’t have it. I asked around and used my own experience to answer the question: How do you beat Australia in RISK? 

Beating Australia in RISK comes down to three main strategies. Use a card bonus to break them when you can guarantee a strong army remains for yourself, ignore them and aim to win the greater part of the world, or wear them down gradually (or at least stop them from growing).
Read on, and I’ll go into more detail on these strats below. 

Tired of losing at RISK?

Not sure how to get better?

Check out our list of simple yet powerful RISK Global Domination Strategies to improve your game and winning potential.

Win more RISK Games now!

How To Beat The Australia Turtle Strategy In RISK?

For many people, when someone gets themselves settled into a defended Australia, they know they’re going to lose. 

But the reality is, Australia is a limiting platform. 

With the right strategies, players can easily defeat them; it just takes time. 

Note: All of these apply to fixed card bonuses. On Progressive (the bonus gets bigger every time cards are turned in), it doesn’t matter.  

Just keep on playing with normal survival and “eating” strategies, and you’ll beat them in no time (unless they beat you first!).

Related Reading: Is RISK hard to play? How to Make It Easier

#1 Card Bonus To Break

The first and riskiest strategy is to break their defending army with a card bonus. 

Australian players will plop a massive army on Indonesia or Siam and leave the other territories occupied with only one troop. 

This makes them tough to break but easy to wipe out. 

Keep them “contained” while still letting them capture a territory and retreat back to Siam or Indonesia. 

They’ll get their cards, and you’ll be waiting.

Don’t ignore the other players in the game, but start building a decent army within striking distance of Australia. 

Wait for the perfect storm: 

1. You can turn in a 10 or 8-troop bonus. 
2. The Australian player has 3, 4, or 5 cards in hand. 
3. If you wipe them out, their cards will add to your and make over 5 total. 

In this instance, if you can wipe out their big army and then finish them off entirely, DO IT! 

You’ll lose a lot of troops, but you’ll gain some back. Then, place everything you’ve got left (and your bonus card turn-in) on either Siam or Indonesia. 

This one is risky because you’ll be gathering some strength in Asia while being weaker elsewhere. 

The other players may see your divided attention and try to take you out instead. 

Of course, RISK is the name of the game, isn’t it? 

Check out our guide for how to win 2-player RISK.

#2 Ignore And Beat Later

One of the best strategies to handle Australia is to ignore it. 

Australian players get an early lead, but as the game goes on, they have a hard time converting that lead into a bigger foothold. 

If other players settle into Africa, North America, or even South America with more territories for a larger bonus, they’ll outpace the Aussies after a while. 

Eventually, one player will gain strength. Hopefully, it’s you! 

At this point, don’t attack Australia. Leave them for last. 

Wipe out the other opponents first, but don’t leave yourself weaker than the Aussie armies in doing so. 

Capture the whole world except for Australia, and wait a turn or two to get those massive bonuses. You’ll have a bigger army in no time. 

#3 Stop Their Growth (Or Shrink It)

Stopping growth is another active strategy that kind of walks the middle line between the other two. 

Consider using this one while you wait to either beat the rest of the players OR get a bonus and wipe out the Australian player completely. 

This one only works if you’ve got the continent fully contained. 

Keeping them only as far as Indonesia is a must. Siam is riskier. 

Each turn, don’t let them capture a territory. Keep your army close in size to theirs so they don’t break you easily. 

Attack and destroy only 3 armies in Australia. 2 at the least. 

This stops them from building their army up. 

In time, one of the two other conditions will come true. Then, be ready to break them. 

The two bigs issues with this strat are: 

• You leave both of you weaker for the taking. 
• The Australian player may get frustrated and “suicide” on you. Then, you both lose. 

Note: If you can do this right in the beginning, go for it. If not, be patient and don’t overextend yourself. 

Improve your logic skills!

Hours of fun with family and friends!

Rule the world and crush your enemies! (In a fun way…)

Buy the game now!

Check out game on Amazon

Is The Australia Turtle Strategy Worth It?

If you can get Australia early and without fighting too much for it, then take it! 

I’m a decent RISK player myself, but I’ve watched expert players a lot. One of the things they love to see is when newer players fight over Australia in the early game. 

This gives them a chance to either: 

• Wait nearby for a chance to take them both out. 
• Pay attention to the rest of the world and get too strong for Australia to be a threat. 

Still, if there’s an opportunity to take it early without much fighting, they’ll take it every time. 

But the key here is, they’ll also try and establish a smaller army somewhere else. 

This gives them an out if there’s too much pressure on their main army. 

It’ll also give them a chance to keep capturing territories for cards if Australia gets contained. 

Another thing I notice is that these players are also ready to abandon Australia if they can wipe out other weak players and establish themselves in more powerful positions. 

Read more about the best continents in RISK and other strategies. 

The post How Do You Beat Australia In RISK? 3 Easy Strategies appeared first on Huddle Around Games.