How To Play: Siam

Overview

So, you’ve been roped into playing Siam and now you’re wondering, “How do I actually win this thing without looking like a confused llama?” I’ve been there. After a few laugh-filled battles with my friends (and maybe a thrown game piece or two), I put together this handy guide. Here you’ll find a simple outline of the game rules and the sharpest strategies for coming out on top. Let’s save your dignity!

What’s in the box

• 1 Game board
• 5 Elephant pieces
• 5 Rhinoceros pieces
• 3 Mountain pieces
• 1 Rulebook

How To Play Siam: Rules Summary

Setup: Get Ready to Rumble!

1. Place the game board between you and your opponent.
2. Put the mountain piece right in the center spot.
3. Each player picks either three elephants or three rhinos. (It’s important. Trust me. No mixing!)
4. Keep your animals off the board for now. They enter as you play.

Gameplay: Make Your Move!

1. Players take turns, starting with whoever most recently saw a real elephant or rhino. (Or just fight over it. Up to you.)
2. On your turn, choose ONE action:
   1. Place a piece on your side edge, aiming it in any direction.
   2. Move one of your animals one space in any direction.
   3. Rotate an animal in place to face the direction you want.
   4. Push! If you face off with another piece (or the mountain), you can try pushing. Add up the strength of animals pushing in the same direction. You need more pushers than the blockers.
3. Only one piece may move or rotate per turn. No stampedes, please.

Winning: How To Claim the Crown

1. The first player to push the mountain completely off their opponent’s edge wins. Yes, the whole rocky thing.
2. If all animals are on the board and neither player can push the mountain, the player with most pieces helping push it wins.

Special Rules & Conditions: The Finer Details

1. Animals can only push if facing the right way. Please, don’t try pushing sideways—it’s embarrassing for everyone.
2. You can push more than one piece at once, but you need extra force for each.
3. After three moves, if both players do nothing but spin in circles, it’s time for snacks—or check the rulebook for a draw.

Now you know the basics! When my friends and I played, we had to reread the push rules about three times because Jim kept insisting elephants could moonwalk. They can’t. Remember these tips, and you’ll look like a real pro the next time someone asks, “How To Play Siam?”

Best Siam Strategies

Get Ahead with Clever Piece Positioning in Siam

Taking the Best Spots Early

Always grab positions near the center. It gives you flexibility and, frankly, makes you look like you know what you’re doing.

1. Move your pieces close to the mountain.
2. Block your opponent’s path.
3. Keep one piece ready to switch sides if needed.

Reacting to Your Opponent

Watch your opponent’s movements. If they go left, threaten right. If they rush center, sneak down the side!

1. Mirror strong plays.
2. Force awkward turns for your rival.

Extra Tips for How To Play Siam

Always use your movement to make your rival second guess their plan. This trick helped me win last Saturday after my friend got cocky.

Dominate the Peak: Mastering Mountain Control in Siam

Block Opponent Access

1. Get your elephant or rhino in front of the mountain to act as a bouncer. No ticket, no entry.

2. Another trick is to put your animal between your rival’s piece and the mountain. This makes their life hard and yours easier.

Time Your Push

1. Wait until your opponent is low on options before pushing the mountain. This way, you avoid setting them up for a sneaky counter.

Force Awkward Moves

1. Try to leave your opponent with only bad choices. If they push, make sure it helps you more in the long run.

If you want to win, paying attention to mountain control is key. Learning How To Play siam gets easier once you master these tricks. My friends will tell you: let Jamie near the mountain, and it’s game over!

Channel Your Inner Psychic: Outsmarting and Blocking Your Opponent in Siam

Guessing Their Next Move

First, pay close attention to patterns in your friend’s playstyle. Ask yourself, do they prefer bold moves or sneaky flanks? Once you spot a pattern, you can anticipate their actions. How To Play siam well means knowing your rival as much as the rules.

1. Watch their first few moves like a hawk.
2. Track which pieces they use for attacks.
3. Notice if they stall or rush the mountain.

Placing Perfect Blocks

After you predict their plan, place your pieces in their way. This makes them second-guess their choices. You may even force them into mistakes.

1. Block their direct path to the mountain.
2. Trap their strongest piece with two weaker ones.
3. Leave bait to lure them into bad trades.

Pretend to Be Oblivious

Sometimes, act clueless. Play a goofy move or two. This can bait your pal into overconfidence, letting you whip out the big block right when they think they won.

Master the Mountain – And Your Friends!

Well, that’s all the tricks I’ve got stuffed up my sleeve for Siam. If you keep mountain control in mind, watch your piece movement like a hawk, and predict your opponent’s sneaky plans, you’ll have a much better shot at victory. After hours of my friends groaning, yelling, and sometimes accusing me of sorcery, I can tell you these strategies work! Remember, it’s just a game—but you’ll never let them forget who won. Now get out there and show off your new Siam skills!

Want to know what we think of Siam? Read our detailed review of Siam here