Clever Tactics That Helped Characters Survive in Squid Game

Summary

Strategy is key in Squid Game, helping characters like Gi-hun and Sang-woo survive deadly games.
Smart plans like licking honeycomb and tricking opponents are crucial for overcoming challenges.
Intelligence and innovation outside of the games can also contribute to characters’ survival.

As a captivated viewer, I can’t help but be drawn into the world of “Squid Game.” In this gripping series, I find myself rooting for characters who must navigate through a gauntlet of lethal games that demand both intelligence and strength to survive. A mere slip-up could spell doom, heightening the nerve-wracking suspense that resonates deeply with me, mirroring the palpable fear felt by the game’s contestants.

The clever tactics employed in Squid Game deserve praise for their originality. In fact, these same strategies can be found in real-life situations too, offering viewers a refreshing twist on the usual storyline that appeals to many spectators.

8. Seong Gi-hun Licking The Honeycomb To Make Things Easier

Helped Him Cut Out The Most Complicated Shape In The Game

Occurs In: “The Man with the Umbrella” (Season 1, Episode 3)

In the story, Seong Gi-hun experiences numerous hardships as he navigates through the intricate death match games, but at one point, it seemed certain that he was about to be ousted. If not for a clever tactic he employed at the last minute, his fate would have been sealed as well.

In the course of playing Honeycomb, Gi-hun selects a shape that’s the hardest to trim due to its complexity. This decision makes him perspire, leading him to think that liquid might help thin the honeycomb and facilitate easier cutting. Just as this insight strikes him, he manages to carve out the umbrella shape right before time runs out, ensuring his survival and another day to live.

7. Oh Il-nam And Cho Sang-woo Using Their Brains To Win Tug-Of-War

The Team Survived Despite Being Physically Weaker Than The Opposition

Occurs In: “Stick to the Team” (Season 1, Episode 4)

As a movie critic immersed in the cinematic spectacle that unfolded before my eyes, I found myself captivated by the raw intensity of the Tug-of-War game. The teams were assembled not based on camaraderie or strategy, but solely on brute strength, leading to some unexpected alliances being forged and others callously abandoned.

In this cutthroat competition, Gi-hun’s team was no match for the powerhouses of the game. Yet, it was not their physical prowess that kept them in the fray, but rather the shrewd advice from the cunning Oh Il-nam that managed to keep them hanging on by a thread.

In a surprising turn, this frail elderly man compensated for his limitations by devising a solid plan designed to exhaust his adversaries. Although this strategy proved beneficial, they were still perilously close to defeat. However, the tide turned when Sang-woo suggested everyone should advance cautiously, aiming to disrupt their opponents. In the end, they emerged triumphant from this intricate and challenging contest.

6. Cho Sang-woo Tricking Ali By Taking Advantage Of His Trust

A Cold-Hearted Yet Effective Strategy

Occurs In: “Gganbu” (Season 1, Episode 6)

Cho Sang-woo’s action, which turned most fans against him, took place in a sinister game of marbles that forced friends into competition. Regrettably for Sang-woo, this choice of game led to his near-defeat at the hands of Ali.

In this situation, he demonstrated his cunningness by deceiving Ali by swapping the bag of rocks for the marbles, keeping them for himself. It was a ruthless act, and even Sang-woo was left bewildered by his own actions just seconds before, as Ali received a merciless gunshot.

5. Seong Gi-hun Taking Advantage Of Oh Il-nam’s Apparent Forgetfulness

It Wasn’t Until Later That Gi-hun Found Out He Was Being Played All Along

Occurs In: “Gganbu” (Season 1, Episode 6)

When Gi-hun and Il-nam become teamed up, the main character discovers that he’s struggling in a guessing contest. Yet, at this point, he chooses to leverage Il-nam’s aging memory and turn it to his advantage.

In a roundabout way, Gi-hun deceptively snatched all the marbles from Il-nam, who deserved them, and faced a figurative slap when it was unveiled that Il-nam had been aware of Gi-hun’s deceitful actions the entire time. It wasn’t until the conclusion of the first season that the real personality of Il-nam was disclosed, which somewhat diminished the effectiveness of this scheme despite Gi-hun’s cleverness in seizing any opportunity to gain an advantage.

4. Do Jung-soo Using His Expertise During The Glass Stepping Stones Game

The Glassmaker Was Able To Help The Main Cast Survive Till The End

Occurs In: “V.I.P.S” (Season 1, Episode 7)

When it comes down to us playing Hopscotch, I find myself filled with dread, realizing that our success depends on chance and luck, and hoping that the glass squares won’t shatter beneath us. Fortunately, Do Jung-soo, with his keen eye as a glassmaker, stepped up and guided us towards safer ground.

Instead, the VIPs disliked this move and extinguished the lights, leaving Do Jung-soo to depend on sounds alone. This tactic was effective but time-consuming, which led Sang-woo to make a drastic decision: shove the man to his death, thus paving the way for the remaining three players to emerge victorious, though at a significant cost.

3. Thanos Using Drugs To Not Be Overwhelmed By Stress During The Games

A Surprisingly Effective Way To Deal With The Stress Of The Twisted Games

Occurs For The First Time In: “001” (Season 2, Episode 3)

It turns out that the character Thanos, from Squid Game Season 2, became a sensation. However, this rapper discovered that the deadly competition was no joke and chose to cope with the pressure by resorting to drug use.

It turned out that this method was unexpectedly successful, taking away his anxiety and allowing Thanos to play numerous games smoothly, without encountering significant problems. However, his streak ended tragically when he was about to defeat MG Coin, resulting in a fatal stab wound from a fork in an incredibly startling scene.

2. Seong Gi-hun Hatching A Smart Plan To Kickstart A Coup

Could’ve Turned The Tables Had It Not Been For The Double Agent Working Against The Contestants

Occurs In: “Friend or Foe” (Season 2, Episode 7)

Right from the beginning, it was evident that Gi-hun was persistently looking for a means to subdue the games from within. He accomplished this by choosing to actively join the games and orchestrating a rebellion at the conclusion of the Special Games, during which players viciously attacked each other.

His daring strategy to fake unconsciousness while stealing guards’ weapons from the dead bodies was risky, but it proved to be effective. However, had it not been for the cowardly and treacherous actions of someone else, Gi-hun might have successfully led this rebellion.

1. Hwang In-ho Infiltrating The Games To Neutralize Gi-hun’s Impact

Destroyed Any Chances Of The Coup Succeeding At The End Of Season 2

Occurs In: “001” (Season 2, Episode 3)

Similar to Season 1, the second season of Squid Game introduced another character, Hwang In-ho, who served as both an enforcer and a secret contestant, much like a double agent. As the Front Man in charge of overseeing the games, he took a daring step by joining the competition himself, a move that ultimately proved successful for him.

I skillfully disguised myself as an ally among Gi-hun and his companions, but in the end, I deceived them cruelly by turning against them at the final moment. I dashed any chances of their uprising being successful and mercilessly took the life of Jung-bae in front of the main character as a form of retribution.

Or, more conversational:
I managed to pull one over on Gi-hun and his group by pretending to be on their side, but it was all an act – I betrayed them at the last possible moment. I doomed their rebellion and callously ended Jung-bae’s life in front of the lead character as a form of punishment.

2025-02-27 17:35