Piece Names

When discussing blokus, one will frequently need to refer to the different pieces.  Luckily there is a standard set of names for the pieces that can be used to make this very easy.  I will use these names extensively in this blog, and reading the blog will be significantly easier once you know all the names.  Knowing the piece names will also make discussing blokus much easier, whether you are talking casually to a friend over the real board, or playing with the worlds top players online.

For your reference, here is a list of the piece names with pictures:

These names are standard even outside the blokus world.  Occasionally players in the blokus community use the term “N4” when they mean “Z4”.  I mention this only to avoid confusion, but not to condone the use of this term – Z4 is the correct name for this piece.

If you are going to be spending a lot of time playing blokus, it is definitely in your best interest to learn these names.  It might be handy to have a printout of them beside you while reading this blog, and/or playing online.  Many players on the blokus.com website are very friendly and happy to discuss strategy with anyone who asks, but they are unlikely to be interested in spending time teaching you the actual names of the pieces.  It is your job to learn the piece names, and then they will be happy to help you out.

In summary:

1. Learn the names.  Use the names.  It will be to your advantage.

2. Z4, NOT N4

3. Learn the names!  I can’t stress this enough.  But I will try: LEARN THE NAMES.