How to Win at Risk

Risk is a time-consuming strategy game. It is not for all game lovers. Playing Risk by the classic rules can take hours. However, if you have the patience, it can be very easy to win playing Risk, or at least do very well. It can also be very satisfying to win. Players strategically move their armies around the board while going to "war" with each other. To win at Risk, you must occupy every territory on the board. In other words, you have to take over the world.

At the outset of the game, each player is given the same number of armies and random territories. Each player must, in turn, place at least one army on each of his or her territories. You are then able to fortify your own territories with the armies you still have left. At this point you should take a good look at the board to see where you have control of the most territories on one continent. It is a good idea to place the rest of your armies on the continent that you can gain control of with the least "casualties." It is important to gain control over all the territories on one continent because if you control a continent at the start of your turn you will be able to place more reinforcements on the board. Note that Asia and Europe are not the best continents to start with they are worth the most reinforcements, but they are also the most difficult to maintain due to the amount of bordering territories.

At the beginning of each turn you will be given a certain number of reinforcements depending on what cards, continents and territories that you have. Remember to read the game instructions very carefully so you know your getting all of the reinforcements that you have earned. Once you know the number of reinforcements you're allowed place them on the board according to game rules. When you are done adding your reinforcements, it is time to mount an attack. Your best bet when attacking is to find a poorly fortified territory that is controlled by another player and attack there. You can only attack territories that border your own and you must attack from the territory bordering the one you are about to attack. You should also try to be sure that the territory you are attacking from has plenty of reinforcements. While you can only use three armies to attack at any time, you can continue to mount attacks until you win or you can retreat. The real goal is to try to take over at least one territory so that you may collect a territory card at the end of your turn. You should always try to get a card each turn, you will be able to trade these in throughout the game for more reinforcements as long as you have a set (see game rules). Try to limit the number of territories you attack during each of your turns. You can only collect one card each turn no matter how many territories you take over. Unless you stand a good chance of taking over a continent and keeping it until your next turn you should refrain from thinning out your armies too much too soon.

At the end of each turn you can refortify your armies according to the game rules. This is a very important part of game play so don't forget to do it. Once another player starts their turn it will be too late to refortify. When moving your armies you want to put your armies where you will need them most, i.e., the borders. Try to put as much of your army on the bordering territories as you can. If you have a territory that is completely surrounded by your own army than don't be afraid to leave only one piece there. You do need to keep at least one piece on each of your territories throughout the game.

Risk can be a lot of fun, but if you are in it to win it you may want to bring some snacks and choose a comfy chair because you may be there awhile.