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Snake Strategy Guide: Tips to Survive Longer and Score Higher

By PlayMore Team3 min read

Introduction

Snake is deceptively simple — eat food, grow longer, don't crash. But as your snake grows, every move becomes more dangerous. Whether you're aiming for a personal best or chasing a leaderboard spot on PlayMore.gg, these strategies will help you survive longer and score higher.

Plan Your Path

The biggest difference between beginners and experienced players is forward thinking. Before grabbing the next piece of food, look at where it is relative to your tail. Ask yourself: "After I eat this, will I have room to turn?" Planning two or three moves ahead prevents you from boxing yourself in.

Hug the Walls Early

When your snake is short, use the open center of the board freely. But as you grow, start looping around the edges. Wall-hugging creates a predictable, safe path and keeps the center open for emergency maneuvers. Think of the perimeter as your highway — travel along it and only cut through the middle when you need to reach food.

Keep Your Tail Close

One of the safest patterns in Snake is to follow your own tail. Your tail is always moving away from you, so the space it just left is guaranteed to be safe. When you're long and the board feels cramped, circling back toward your tail gives you breathing room.

Don't Rush for Every Food

It's tempting to beeline straight to the food as soon as it appears, but rushing often leads to trapping yourself. If the food spawns in a tight spot — surrounded by your body on multiple sides — it's sometimes better to loop around and approach from a safer angle. A slightly longer path is worth it if it keeps you alive.

Control the Center

While wall-hugging is great for safety, don't give up the center entirely. If your snake is coiled around the edges and food appears in the middle, you'll need a clear lane to reach it. Try to keep at least one path into the center open at all times.

Use Consistent Patterns

Experienced players often use repeating patterns — figure-eights, zigzags, or spirals — to cover the board systematically. These patterns reduce the chance of leaving dead-end pockets. A simple zigzag across the width of the board is a great default pattern to fall back on.

Slow Down and Think

Speed isn't always your friend. When the board gets crowded, take your time. There's no penalty for moving at a steady pace, and a split-second of extra thinking time can save a run. Focus on clean, deliberate movements rather than frantic reactions.

Learn from Your Deaths

Every game over is a lesson. Did you get trapped in a corner? Start using wider turns. Did you run into your own body after grabbing food? Start planning your exit path before eating. Pay attention to the patterns that end your runs, and consciously work on avoiding them.

Aim for Efficiency

Higher scores come from longer games, which come from efficient movement. Every unnecessary turn is a chance to make a mistake. Try to reach food in as few moves as possible while maintaining a safe path. The best players make the game look effortless because their pathing is so clean.

Conclusion

Snake rewards patience and planning over speed and reflexes. Focus on building good habits — plan ahead, keep escape routes open, and don't panic when things get tight. With practice, you'll find yourself surviving longer and scoring higher than you ever thought possible.

Ready to put these strategies to work? Play Snake on PlayMore.gg and see how high you can score!

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