2048 is a very addictive game available on desktop and mobile devices. It is easy to learn, but it is very difficult to beat someone in it. It is also available on retro consoles. You can play the game online, or download it on iOS or Android.
1. Step by Step Strategy Guide

a.) Swipe left and right several times (optional): Start a new game, then swipe left and right quickly. Keep going until you have a few lines of 2s, 4s, and 8s. It's not necessary to win, but it usually puts you in a good position and gets you to your first big tiles faster.

b.) Build a high tile in a corner:
Mix the starting tiles into 16 or 32, and put it in a corner. The object of this method is to keep the tile in place for as long as possible, gradually building it higher and higher.

This strategy was used for the 2048 world speed record, reaching the last tile in 1 minute and 34 seconds.
c.) Keep the line filled with high tiles:
For example, if your high-value corner is on the right, fill the entire top row with tiles. A good way to achieve this is to alternate the two directions toward the corner ("up" and "right" in this example). Once filled, you can move left and right as much as you want, without shifting the high value tile from your corner.

Keep track of this line, and refill visible gaps whenever possible without shifting the corner tile.
d.) Focus on matching smaller tiles:

For most games, it's more important to make 8s, 16s, and 32s than to focus on a single high-number tile. Ideally, these mid-range tiles will cluster near your chosen corner tile. This sets off a chain reaction of many combinations, which will allow you to move forward without focusing on just one building, but on a single tile.
E.)Work around small trap tiles:
Often, things won't work out perfectly, and you'll be stuck with a 2 or 4 between a 256 and a 64, or similar awkward positions. This is a good time to think and consider each move carefully, and aim to free that little tile. Here are a few different tricks for doing this:

Choose a tile next to the trapped tile, and make a plan to match it. If it's a large tile, you may need to plan several moves to get through this. Swipe as soon as it's set next to a similar tile next to it, so that the tile you plan to match is the one that's moving.
Alternatively, try creating a gap with a smaller, trap tile, then shift left and right on the tile until it's in position with a tile it can combine with. . This usually won't work well on a crowded board.
f.) Move your corner tile when forced, then return it to its place:
In almost every game, you will come to a point where you need to move your corner tile out of position. Which of the available moves can benefit you the most. Swipe in that direction, then quickly swipe back the high-value tile in the corner.

In some copycat versions of the game, you can make a move that does nothing, and a random tile will still appear. In this case, you should theoretically never need to move your tile from the corner, but it may still be necessary if your screen is in danger of being filled.
g.)Keep trying until you win:
You'll still need some luck to beat the game, so don't expect to win the first time. If you have to move your corner tile, and a new tile appears in that corner, your chances of success are slim. You can still win if you can move five or six blank tiles, or if your maximum number of tiles is 64 or 128. If it's in it later in the game, there's usually no point trying to get out of it.
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