A key source of points is adjacency points, just like in the base game. When placing tiles in a star, avoid placing them in spaces that forgo an available adjacency bonus (e.g. If the '2' space in a color is covered, your next placement in that color should be '1' or '3').

Try to work toward game-end scoring bonuses. The "1-2-3-4" strategy (trying to cover all 1/2/3/4 spaces including those in the central star) can be strong, as you will also pick up many bonus tiles along the way. Try to fill in the 1/2/3/4 of the central star last, as this gives you greater adaptability in the final round. You should also try to complete at least one star if possible.

Another strategy is to prioritize completing stars. The higher scoring stars (e.g. purple, green) are the best to prioritize. For this strategy, you may want your first tile in a chosen color to be a 6 if possible. With wild tiles and bonus tiles, you can prioritize filling out the star, but still always placing tiles in adjacent spaces to existing tiles. Avoid placing the color of a completed star in the central star before the last round, so that you do not end up with extra tiles of that color that you are unable to place. In this strategy, you should still aim to earn number bonuses as well, but as a secondary priority to completing full stars.

Consider the cost of taking the first player tile. Weigh the benefits (first pick next round, potential extra tiles compared to alternative selections, potential choice of a color you need) against the cost (-1 point per tile taken). As a rule of thumb it is generally worth taking when you are obtaining 1-2 tiles and there are not better options available in the Factories. If obtaining more than 2 tiles, the net benefit is situational. The benefit of first pick next round is reduced at lower player counts, and this benefit does not exist when gaining the first player tile in the final round. If the gained tiles are simply helping you score an additional adjacency bonus (as opposed to an end-game scoring bonus and/or tile bonus), then you may have better options picking from the Factories.

Take advantage of the ability to hold up to four tiles for the following round. It is particularly strong to hold tiles that will be wild the following round. It can also be good to hold tiles of a color of which you are trying to play the 5 and 6.

Compared to the original Azul, the scoring penalties for having to discard tiles are much less harsh. However it is also easier in Summer Pavillion to avoid these penalties altogether. Leaving your central star empty for most of the game provides you with a good safety net in case you end up with tiles of a color that you have already completed.

Most importantly, have fun!