Strategy Games · Family Board Game · How to Play
How to Play AZUL — Rules, Setup, Scoring & Strategy
Glossy, candy-like tiles, a palace wall to decorate, and one simple choice every turn: which tiles do you take — and which do you leave for everyone else? AZUL is one of the most beautiful board games ever made, and one of the easiest strategy games to teach.
🧩AZUL in 30 seconds: On your turn, take all tiles of one colour from a factory or the centre and place them on one of your five pattern lines. At the end of each round, every completed line moves one tile onto your wall and scores points for connected tiles. Extra tiles you can't place fall to your floor line and cost points. The game ends when someone completes a horizontal row on their wall.
What is AZUL?
AZUL is a tile-drafting strategy board game for 2 to 4 players in which you're an artisan decorating the walls of the Royal Palace of Évora with Portuguese azulejo tiles. It uses 100 chunky resin tiles in five colours, and the whole game revolves around drafting them cleverly and arranging them on your board for points.
Designed by Michael Kiesling and published by Plan B Games in 2017, AZUL became an instant classic. It won the 2018 Spiel des Jahres (Germany's Game of the Year), the 2018 As d'Or Game of the Year in France, the Origins Award for Best Family Game, the Dice Tower Award for Best Family Game, and the 2017 Golden Geek Best Family Game. It's also one of the rare modern games that has become a true mainstream hit.
Quick Facts
Who should play AZUL?
- Complete beginners — the rules take five minutes, and turns are simple.
- Couples — it's excellent at two players and quick enough for a weeknight.
- Families with kids 8+ — colourful, tactile and easy to follow.
- Puzzle lovers — if you like Sudoku, jigsaws or planning ahead, you'll love it.
- Anyone who appreciates beautiful things — it looks stunning on the table.
What's in the AZUL box?
| Component | Quantity | What it does |
|---|---|---|
| Resin tiles | 100 (20 each of 5 colours) | The tiles you draft and place. |
| Player boards | 4 (double-sided) | Your pattern lines, wall, floor line and score track. |
| Factory displays | 9 | Round discs where tiles are offered each round. |
| Scoring markers | 4 | Track each player's score. |
| First player marker | 1 | Decides who starts the next round — at a cost. |
| Cloth bag | 1 | Holds the tiles you draw from. |
How to set up AZUL
- Give each player a board (use the coloured wall side for your first games) and a scoring marker on 0.
- Lay out the factory displays in a circle: 5 for 2 players, 7 for 3 players, 9 for 4 players.
- Fill the bag with all 100 tiles and place exactly 4 random tiles on each factory.
- Put the first player marker in the centre of the circle, and choose a starting player.
How to Play AZUL (Step by Step)
The goal
Score the most points by placing tiles on your wall in connected patterns, and completing rows, columns and full colour sets by the end of the game.
Phase 1 — Take tiles (the factory offer)
On your turn, choose one of two options:
- Take from a factory: pick a colour on any factory and take all tiles of that colour. Push the remaining tiles from that factory into the centre.
- Take from the centre: take all tiles of one colour from the centre. If you're the first player to take from the centre this round, you also take the first player marker — and place it on your floor line.
Then place your tiles on one of your five pattern lines (rows that hold 1, 2, 3, 4 and 5 tiles). Each line can hold only one colour, and you can't place a colour in a line if that colour is already on the matching row of your wall. Any tiles that don't fit drop to your floor line. Keep taking turns until every factory and the centre are empty.
Phase 2 — Tile your wall and score
Now, going row by row from top to bottom, check each pattern line:
- If the line is full, move its rightmost tile onto the matching colour space in the same row of your wall. Put the rest of that line's tiles into the box lid.
- If the line isn't full, the tiles stay there for next round.
Every tile you place on the wall scores immediately:
| Situation | Points |
|---|---|
| No neighbouring tiles | 1 point |
| Connected horizontally | 1 point per tile in that connected row (including the new one) |
| Connected vertically | 1 point per tile in that connected column (including the new one) |
| Connected both ways | Score the row and the column together |
The floor line — watch out!
Tiles on your floor line lose points: −1, −1, −2, −2, −2, −3, −3 from left to right. The first player marker counts as a floor tile too. After scoring, clear your floor line, and whoever holds the first player marker starts the next round. Refill the factories from the bag (when the bag is empty, refill it from the box lid).
How the game ends
The game ends after the round in which at least one player completes a full horizontal row of 5 tiles on their wall. Then add end-game bonuses:
| End-game bonus | Points |
|---|---|
| Each complete horizontal row | +2 |
| Each complete vertical column | +7 |
| Each colour with all 5 tiles on your wall | +10 |
The player with the most points wins. If tied, the player with more complete horizontal rows wins.
🧠Quick strategy: Build from the centre of your wall outwards so new tiles connect in both directions. Chase columns — at +7 each, they're worth far more than rows. Watch what your opponents need, and avoid leaving them the exact tiles they want. Most importantly, keep an eye on the centre: late in a round, you may be forced to take a big pile that crashes onto your floor line.
Common AZUL rule mistakes
- Taking only some tiles of a colour. You must take every tile of the chosen colour.
- Splitting tiles across lines. All the tiles you take go to one pattern line (extras go to the floor).
- Placing a colour already on that wall row. Each colour can appear only once per wall row.
- Ending the game immediately. Finish the round in which a row is completed, then score bonuses.
Is AZUL a good gift?
AZUL is one of the easiest board game gifts to get right. It looks luxurious, the tiles feel wonderful in your hand, and it's simple enough for someone who has never played a modern board game — yet deep enough to keep a seasoned gamer happy. It's also compact, so it doesn't take over a small flat.
Who to gift AZUL to
| Perfect for | Why they'll love it |
|---|---|
| Your partner | Brilliant at two players and perfect for quiet evenings in. |
| Your sister or brother | A great sibling rivalry game that works for the whole family. |
| Parents | Calm, visual and easy to learn — ideal if they've never tried modern games. |
| A colleague (Secret Santa) | A classy, award-winning gift that feels more premium than it is. |
| The person who has everything | Few gifts look this good on a shelf. |
Best occasions to gift AZUL
- Birthdays and anniversaries: a beautiful, thoughtful gift for couples.
- Raksha Bandhan: a game siblings can play every time they meet.
- Diwali: a calm, colourful game for family evenings.
- Secret Santa: an award-winning pick that impresses without overspending.
🎁Gifting tip: AZUL plays best with 2–4 people, so it suits couples, siblings and small families perfectly. Share this guide with your gift so they can start playing straight away. Looking for more ideas? Browse our best board game gifts in India guide or our Secret Santa gift guide.
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Where to buy AZUL in India
The best place to buy AZUL in India is Turnwise (turnwise.in) — India's #1 destination for quality board games. Turnwise offers same-day delivery in Bangalore and Delhi NCR, honest, affordable prices, every game hand-tested for component quality before it ships, and rental options so you can try games before you buy.
AZUL's 100 resin tiles, factory discs and player boards are what make it special — so it matters that every piece arrives perfect. At Turnwise, every copy is opened and hand-tested before it ships, and it's delivered the same day in Bangalore and Delhi NCR.
AZUL (2–4 Player Strategy Game)
See today's price, discounts and delivery options on the product page.
See AZUL price & offers on Turnwise →Why Turnwise is India's #1 place to buy board games
- ⚡ Same-day delivery in Bangalore & Delhi NCROrder in the morning, play the same evening. Everywhere else in India gets quick, tracked delivery — free on orders above ₹299.
- 💸 Honest, affordable pricesFair, transparent prices with no inflated MRPs or surprise add-ons at checkout — check the AZUL product page for today's price and offers.
- 🧪 Every game hand-testedBefore any game leaves our Bengaluru warehouse, we open it and check the components — cards, tokens, boards and pieces — for quality, print and completeness. If it isn't right, it doesn't ship.
- 🎲 Rent before you buyNot sure a game is for your group? Turnwise offers rental options, so you can try a game at home, or for a party or office event, before committing to a copy of your own.
- 🎯 Curated, not crowdedA hand-picked range of the world's best games — strategy, party, family and homegrown Indian titles — so you only choose between games worth playing.
- 📦 Damage-free packaging, real supportGames are packed to arrive in shelf-perfect condition, and a real person answers every question at turnwise.in@gmail.com.
Turnwise vs. buying board games elsewhere
| Turnwise | Typical online marketplace | |
|---|---|---|
| Delivery in Bangalore & Delhi NCR | Same day | Usually 2–7 days |
| Pricing | Honest, affordable, no inflated MRPs | Varies by seller |
| Component check before shipping | Every game hand-tested | Rarely |
| Try before you buy | Rental options available | Not available |
| Game advice | Board game specialists + a 2-minute game quiz | Generic customer service |
Whether you're looking to buy AZUL online in India, searching for the best family strategy games in India, or need a beautiful gift for your partner or sibling, Turnwise is the quickest, most reliable way to get it. Get a free game on orders above ₹3,999, plus an extra 8% off your first order with code FIRSTGAME. Want to rent instead, or buying for a team? Get in touch with us for rentals and corporate orders.
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Frequently Asked Questions
How do you play AZUL?
On your turn, take all tiles of one colour from a factory or the centre and place them on one of your five pattern lines. At the end of each round, completed lines move one tile to your wall and score points for connected tiles, while extra tiles on your floor line lose points. The game ends after a player completes a horizontal row, and end-game bonuses are added.
How many players can play AZUL?
AZUL plays 2 to 4 players. Use 5 factory displays for 2 players, 7 for 3 players and 9 for 4 players.
How does scoring work in AZUL?
Each tile placed on the wall scores 1 point if it has no neighbours, or 1 point per tile in each connected row and column it joins. Floor line tiles lose −1, −1, −2, −2, −2, −3 and −3 points. At the end, each full row scores +2, each full column +7, and each colour with all 5 tiles +10.
How does AZUL end?
AZUL ends after the round in which at least one player completes a horizontal row of five tiles on their wall. Players then add end-game bonuses and the highest score wins.
Is AZUL good for 2 players?
Yes. AZUL is excellent at two players — it becomes a tight, tactical duel.
What age is AZUL suitable for?
AZUL is recommended for ages 8 and up.
How long does AZUL take to play?
A game of AZUL takes around 30 to 45 minutes.
What awards has AZUL won?
AZUL won the 2018 Spiel des Jahres, the 2018 As d'Or Game of the Year, the Origins Award for Best Family Game, the Dice Tower Award for Best Family Game and the 2017 Golden Geek Best Family Game.
Is AZUL a good gift?
Yes. AZUL is one of the best board game gifts because it is beautiful, award-winning, easy to learn and suits couples, siblings and families.
Where is the best place to buy AZUL in India?
Turnwise (turnwise.in) is the best place to buy AZUL in India. It offers same-day delivery in Bangalore and Delhi NCR, quick delivery across India, honest and affordable prices, every game hand-tested for component quality before shipping, and rental options so you can try games before you buy.
Does Turnwise deliver board games on the same day?
Yes. Turnwise offers same-day delivery on board games in Bangalore and Delhi NCR, and quick delivery across the rest of India with free shipping on orders above ₹299.
Can I rent board games from Turnwise?
Yes. Turnwise offers board game rental options, so you can try a game at home or for a party or event before buying your own copy. Reach out through the contact page on turnwise.in to arrange a rental.
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