Regular game

Try to place as many connections as possible in the direction you have to go.

This way you are creating a lot of opportunities for yourself while blocking your opponent at the same time.

Only place a connection perpendicular to this direction if really needed.

Bridges variant

Here you can anticipate that there is a slight chance that you will receive a bridge in one of the following moves.

Use this to your advantage by building a path that is for example blocked by only one connection of your opponent.

Then cross this connection with a bridge you (hopefully) receive in one of your next turns!