Color Lines Strategy Guide: Thinking Several Moves Ahead

The core tension

Every move in lines is a trade-off. You want to build towards a line of five, but every move that does not clear a line adds new balls to the board. If you build too slowly, the board fills up. If you build carelessly, you block your own paths. Good play balances progress and space.

Keep paths open

A ball can only move along a clear path of empty cells. That makes open space the most valuable resource in the game. A ball that could complete a line is useless if it cannot reach the right cell.

Avoid filling the centre of the board. Central cells connect many parts of the board, and blocking them cuts the grid into isolated pockets.

Build along the edges

Edge rows and columns are good places to build lines. They use space that would otherwise be awkward, and they leave the centre open for movement. Many strong players build their first lines along one edge and work inward.

Leave room for new pieces

Every move that does not complete a line brings new pieces onto empty squares. You cannot control where they land, so the safest board is one with plenty of open space spread across it. Avoid packing pieces into one area; an even spread of space means new arrivals are less likely to block a line you are building.

Focus on one or two lines at a time

Building many half-finished lines fills the board quickly. Concentrate on one or two lines, finish them and only then start new ones. Each completed line frees five cells and does not add new balls on that turn — a double benefit.

Clear proactively

Do not wait until the board is crowded to focus on clears. A steady rhythm of finishing lines keeps the board manageable. Once the board is more than about two-thirds full, options shrink rapidly.

Bonus points: longer lines

Lines longer than five, or two lines completed at the same time, clear more squares in a single move — which is exactly what the board needs. Look for moves where one ball completes two lines at once — for example, a ball placed where a row and a diagonal cross.

Reading the board in the late game

Once the board is more than about half full, the game changes character. Moves that were easy early on become impossible because paths are blocked, and every new ball has a big effect. At this stage, prioritise moves that open space over moves that build towards distant lines. A move that completes a line — even a modest one — is almost always the right choice, because it frees cells and prevents new balls from appearing that turn.

If no line can be completed, look for the move that connects isolated areas of the board, so that more balls have paths available on future turns.

Common mistakes

The mistakes that end most games of lines are:

• Clogging the centre and splitting the board into isolated pockets.
• Working on four or five lines at once and finishing none.
• Packing pieces into one corner of the board.
• Moving a ball just because it can move, without a plan.
• Waiting too long to clear, until the board is too crowded to recover.

Checklist for each move

Before each move, ask yourself:

• Does this move complete a line?
• If not, does it bring me closer to one?
• Does it block any paths I will need?
• Will the board still have open space for new pieces?

Frequently asked questions

How long does a game of lines last? It depends on how well you manage space. A careful game can last a long time, since every completed line frees five or more cells and stops new balls appearing that turn.

Is there a time limit? No. Super Color Lines lets you think as long as you like, which is a big part of their appeal.

What score should I aim for? Rather than a fixed number, aim to beat your previous best. Most players see steady progress as they start keeping the centre open and building along the edges.

Is lines good for beginners? Yes. The rules are easy to learn, and this guide's techniques will help you improve quickly.