Halma Strategy: 5 Tips
Halma is a race, and races are won with ladders. Rules first? See how to play.
1. Build ladders
Pieces spaced one square apart along a line let another piece jump the whole line in one turn. Lay your pieces out along the main diagonal and ride them.
2. Back pieces first
A straggler left behind costs many turns at the end. Bring the rear pieces forward early, using the ladders the front pieces create.
3. Hold the centre
The diagonal between the camps is the highway. Pieces in the middle serve both as stepping stones for you and as obstacles that the opponent must route around.
4. Spoil their ladders
If the opponent has a line set up, a piece placed at the landing square breaks the chain. One well-placed piece can cost them several turns.
5. Fill the far corner first
Pieces that enter the camp should head for the corner and the back rows; filling the near squares first blocks your own entrance.
The hard computer measures progress for every piece and looks one more move ahead to set up jump ladders; normal takes the move with most progress; easy plays a reasonable move at random.
Frequently asked questions
What is the most important idea in Halma?
Jump chains. A line of pieces spaced one apart lets a piece travel the whole board in one move. Build such ladders along the diagonal towards your target and use them with every piece.
Last updated 2026-10-21