Tips gopher

Try to make moves (placements) which result in more available moves for you, and less available moves for your opponent, as a general tactic. This will not guarantee victory. You can have tons of free moves and still lose. It's generally good to move into a corner to minimize your opponent's responses. Though again, there are exceptions. Move to an edge cell next to a corner if it will create an extra move for you (or deny a move to your opponent).

Zones will form. Isolated areas. If you can be the first and last to move into a zone, go for it. Otherwise hold off. Try to get "reserves". A reserve is a move you can make at any time. Save it until you need it.

Keep your fingers crossed. You can get lucky in Gopher. There are plently of opportunities to apply clever strategy in Gopher, but sometimes you just have to guess. If you make a few good guesses, you can win.