Tactics for H
When playing the H board, the easiest thing to look for is any single square
'sticking out'. When this occurs, there are only two ways to get at it, with
the arc of the H bridging either to the left or right. Often only one of these
is possible.
| 1 |
1 |
4 |
3 |
3 |
or |
1 |
1 |
4 |
3 |
3 |
| 1 |
2 |
2 |
1 |
3 |
1 |
2 |
2 |
1 |
3 |
| 1 |
|
1 |
|
1 |
1 |
|
1 |
|
1 |
| |
|
|
|
|
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|
|
|
|
When you have a choice, consider what effect each will have, ie, whether one or
the other will make the surrounding area impossible.
The next thing to look for is a block end which is not too thick. Along an
edge, you can take off either 2 or 3 from the sum, depending on the rotation.
Remember though that 1 is also possible if bridging away from the block.
For example, if you have
| 1 |
3 |
5 |
3 |
1 |
1 |
| |
2 |
3 |
3 |
1 |
|
| |
1 |
2 |
1 |
1 |
|
| |
|
|
|
|
|
Then you have a sum of 5. With only 2 and 3 to work with, this means 2 hits,
one of each rotation. But since there is a 2 there, it must be under both hits,
so the hits obviously must be bridging 2nd & 4th, and along 1st, 2nd, 3rd.
| 1 |
4 |
4 |
3 |
3 |
3 |
3 |
| |
2 |
2 |
4 |
3 |
2 |
|
| |
1 |
1 |
2 |
1 |
1 |
|
| |
|
|
|
|
|
|
This time, we have a sum of 6. Which can either be reached with 2+2+2, or 3+3.
If we use 3+3, then the two hits must be along 1st-3rd, and 3rd-5th. If we use
2+2+2, then the bridges must be 1&3, 2&4, 3&5.
The former leaves us with
while the latter gives us
Now, which of these is possible? If you can bridge to the left from the 1st.,
then the latter can be, but if not, then there is no way to get rid of that
solitary 1, since bridging right would give a block of 2 together, which at
least one of cant be bridged, so is impossible. For the former, you have a sum
of 11, which could be 2+2+2+2+3, or 2+3+3+3. With a 1 above the 4 in 3rd, only
one bridge could be used on it, so 2+2+2+2+3 cannot get enough hits on the 4.
2+3+3+3 on the other hand, can clear this row by 1&3, 1-3, 3-5, 3-5. It
is unlikely bridging off the picture here will help, as all the numbers in this
row are needed to get rid of the 4.
Most blocks of length 3, 4 and 5, and some longer ones or ones containing rubbers,
can be examined in this way. Often, once you've worked out a certain pattern
once, it can be remembered for future games.
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