Top 7 Qwirkle Strategies

Rules and Game Tiles for Qwirkle
Rule Booklet and Game Tiles for Qwirkle from MindWare

Use these Top 7 Qwirkle Strategies to increase your winning Qwirkle moves.

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Qwirkle Rules and Tiles
Qwirkle rules book and game tiles

The Top 7 Qwirkle Strategies

Looking for some new strategies to improve your Qwirkle game? See if these seven tested techniques can improve your score. These Top 7 Qwirkle strategies are sure to boost you to a new level of play!

If you are new to the game, read about the Rules of Qwirkle first.

Qwirkle Strategy #1: Maximize Your Points Each Turn

Try to score a minimum of 5 points per turn. If you cannot score at least four points, consider exchanging some tiles instead. If you are consistently scoring more than your opponents each turn, you will pull ahead. Maximize your score by playing as many tiles as you can, and building off of what is already on the board. Even just playing two tiles on the end of a row can add up, especially if you match more than one tile.

Qwirkle strategies include playing at the end of an existing tile line.
Qwirkle Tiles

Qwirkle Strategy #2: Use Tiles on the Board to Make More Points

Scoring double points by adding onto an existing line is a solid strategy for increasing your score. Find two or three tiles you can add to to boost your score easily. Just beware of making it easy for someone else to score a Qwirkle! Adding a fifth tile is usually not a good idea. See more ideas for building points in the Rules of Qwirkle here.

Qwirkle strategy at work in a game in progress
Qwirkle rules!

Qwirkle Strategy #3: Keep Track of Tiles Available

Count the tiles on the board and in your hand to make sure that tiles you may need are still available. If all three of a style are already on the board, your choices are limited (but so are your opponents!). If there are two showing and you have one in your hand, you have a strategic advantage. Use it wisely!

Random Qwirkle tiles
Random Qwirkle tiles

Qwirkle Strategy #4: Look For Shape Qwirkles

Color Qwirkles are easier to recognize, so your opponents are most likely more aware of those. Focus on finding potential shape Qwirkles. Your opponents may not have noticed an opportunity that you see. Be sure to take advantage of this!

Shape and Color Qwirkles are one of the top 7 Qwirkle strategies.
Shape and color Qwirkles

Qwirkle Strategy #5: Don’t Create an Opportunity for Your Opponents to Qwirkle

Be mindful of creating lines that have 5 tiles because your opponents could add the 6th tile to score a Qwirkle. They may very well be holding the final piece of the puzzle, waiting for you to make it happen. The later in the game, the more this comes in to play. As the game board increase in complexity, it is easy to miss potential Qwirkles.

Qwirkle Tiles
Be aware of creating scoring options for your opponents.

Qwirkle Strategy #6: Play to Score or Play to Block

Play to score points or to block opponents. Use a two-tile play to block potential Qwirkles. Blocking a potential Qwirkle saves you from having to make 12 more points to stay ahead! Plus you score an easy 4 points.

Qwirkle Tiles Up Close
Two tile plays can be to score or to block.

Qwirkle Strategy #7: Add to the Fun With a Classic Twist

Make Qwirkle into a drinking game! When you make a Qwirkle, everyone else takes a drink. Cheers!

All of the Qwirkle Tiles in a Grid: Knowing how many of each tile there are helps you with some of the top 7 Qwirkle strategies.
A grid of Qwirkle tiles

I hope these seven tips for improving your Qwirkle game bring you success in your play. But most of all, I wish you fun with your family and friends! Happy playing!

Read more about the Rules of Qwirkle here.

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