The key to a higher score in a snake game is managing space. Your snake gets longer as you play, so you lose by running out of room, usually because of a decision you made a few moves earlier.
The idea has a long history. The genre goes back to the 1976 arcade game Blockade, and Snake reached Nokia phones in 1997 on the Nokia 6110, according to a Microsoft Devices Blog history.
These tips are for classic snake rules. Modern versions can differ, so we've added notes for Snake Maxx at the end.
Tips for beginners
Look ahead, not at your head. Watch the space you're moving into, and plan your next two or three turns.
Make small, early turns. Late, panicked turns cause many crashes.
Stay away from the edges at first. The middle of the board gives you more ways out.
Don't rush for every item. If reaching it would box you in, take a longer route.
Tips for long snakes
Once your snake takes up a big part of the board, you need a different approach.
Move in rows. Sweep back and forth in tidy lines. This keeps your body together and leaves one large open area.
Don't split the board. If your body cuts the open space in two, you may get stuck in the smaller part.
Follow your tail when you're stuck. In classic rules, your tail moves as you do, so the space behind it keeps opening up.
Check for an exit before you enter a gap. If the way out could close before you get there, don't go in.
Common mistakes
Chasing the item in a straight line. It's the quickest route, but not always the safest.
Reversing too sharply. With a long body, a tight U-turn can trap you.
Playing faster as the game gets harder. A brief pause isn't possible in most live rounds, so plan your route during the calm moments.
How to practice
Try working on one thing at a time.
Round 1: Survive. Ignore your score and see how long you can last.
Round 2: Plan your turns. Before each turn, know where the next one will be.
Round 3: Play for score. Bring both habits together and try to beat your record.
After a crash, ask what happened three moves earlier. That's usually where the real mistake was.
Playing Snake Maxx
According to its listing, Snake Maxx is a fast-paced action runner with both solo runs and PvP battles. You swipe or drag with one finger to guide your snake, and you can unlock avatars, skins and boosters.
That makes it different from the classic game, so use these tips as a starting point:
Learn in solo first. Use solo runs to get used to the speed and controls before you try PvP.
Keep your finger movements small. With swipe or drag controls, big gestures can make your steering less precise.
Watch further ahead as the pace picks up. Your reaction time won't change, but what you can see coming will help.
Crashes work differently here too. Running into a wall or your own body doesn't end your run the way it does in classic snake. Usually nothing happens, and sometimes you can clear the wall.
Boosters are worth grabbing. A shield protects you from the challenges in your path, a speed boost makes you faster, and a magnet collects coins for you. Each one lasts between 30 seconds and 1 minute.
Pro tip: smash as many walls as you can, in both battles and solo runs. Battles are about collecting points, and many players spend their time collecting food to grow longer. In Snake Maxx, a longer snake isn't the goal.
Ready to play?
Start a round of Snake Maxx and try the three-round plan above. Want to take it further? Read our beginner's guide to competitive casual gaming.
Sources
Microsoft Devices Blog, Snake charmed! 10 fascinating facts about the world's most popular game, February 2, 2012.
Funplay, Snake Maxx game listing.
The strategy tips are based on how classic snake rules work. The Snake Maxx notes come from playing the game.