Symmetry Play
The winning strategy for normal Cram is simple for even-by-even boards and even-by-odd boards. In the even-by-even case, the second player wins by symmetry play. This means that whichever move Player 1 makes, Player 2 has a corresponding symmetric move across the horizontal and vertical axes. In a sense, player 2 "mimics" the moves made by Player 1. If Player 2 follows this strategy, Player 2 will always make the last move, and thus win the game.
In the even-by-odd case, the first player wins by similar symmetry play. Player 1 places his first domino in the center two squares on the grid. Player 2 then makes his move, but Player 1 can play symmetrically thereafter, thus ensuring a win for Player 1.
It should be noted that symmetry play is a useless strategy in the misère version, because in that case it would only ensure the player that he loses.
Read more about this topic: Cram (game)
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