Tactics is the art of responding to specific situations as they appear and choosing the best course of action
26
votes
6answers
891 views
What's the difference between a tactic and a strategy?
Some people consider tactics and strategy to be distinct (as they apply to boardgames), while I regard them both as "structured methods and plans to win".
Are they distinct? And what are the ...
21
votes
13answers
4k views
What are good standard tactics for Dominion?
Googling reveals several sites listing standard tactics for Dominion. Let's collect ideas here, and discuss and judge them using the voting system.
One tactic per post please.
17
votes
3answers
579 views
Evaluating tactical situations in Puerto Rico
I've been playing a bit of Puerto Rico against computers (AIs) lately. I'm doing quite well against the easier AIs so I think my overall gameplay isn't so bad but I've realized that I still have ...
14
votes
10answers
5k views
What are some good tactics for the early game in Risk?
In general what do you recommend at the beginning of the game?
13
votes
5answers
404 views
What is a positional game in chess?
What does it mean to have a positional game, or to play a positional game?
What is the opposite?
13
votes
4answers
310 views
Categories of Board Gaming skill
How would you categorize gaming skill, based on your own talents, or those of people you know? And what makes certain people good at those categories?
For one example, I've noticed I tend to win ...
12
votes
1answer
889 views
In Monopoly, Does It Make Sense NOT to Buy a “Second” Property in a Color Group?
Most Monopoly players would want to buy at least ONE property in a color group, for defensive purposes. Money is usually tight though, so it often pays to "cut corners" somewhere.
Could this ...
11
votes
5answers
534 views
If I have 8+ coins and no Gold, should I buy a Gold or a Province?
When playing Dominion, I have developed the habit of buying a Gold the first time I can afford one, even if I could afford a Province instead. Is this a good rule of thumb?
My reasoning is that if I ...
11
votes
3answers
310 views
Should You Take “Your Opponent's” Sheep In A 2-Player Game?
As you may well have guessed by now I play a lot of online Agricola; here's a situation that comes up all the time.
If I'm the second player, and sheep come up as the round one action card, quite ...
10
votes
2answers
1k views
Is It Possible To Win 2-Player Agricola Without Taking Wood?
A few months ago I visited a friend who'd recently taken up playing Agricola with her husband. "We think there should be a bigger handicap for going second," she said, "Otherwise the person who keeps ...
10
votes
3answers
631 views
Did tactics training improve your chess significantly?
There are quite a few sites for training in chess tactics. For those having experience with using any of these, how did these affect your rating? Is there a strong correlation between e.g. ...
9
votes
2answers
181 views
In Bridge Play, What is Meant by “Combining Your Chances?”
I was in a NT contract. After the initial rounds of play, the last few (visible) cards were something like these in two suits (call them spades and hearts):
dummy:
spades KJx
Hearts xxx
Me:
Spades ...
7
votes
3answers
331 views
In Bridge, Which Forms of Deception Are Ethical? Does This Include “Moodying?”
Playing in a casual game of bridge, holding JTx of trumps, I "falsecarded" on the second trump lead with the J. Believing that he had drawn them, declarer stopped leading trumps. Later, I trumped one ...
6
votes
4answers
227 views
How can I compete against the unit armies tactic in Risk?
How to I avoid one player getting too strong by playing just to defend a small area or continent and only gaining territories just to obtain Risk cards to trade in for more armies.
6
votes
1answer
172 views
How do I Detect/Defend Against an Endplay In Bridge?
When I see declarer draw trumps, and then start to "eliminate" (ruff out) one or more plain suits, my biggest fear as a defender is of an end play. That is, the declarer will put me on lead because ...
6
votes
1answer
161 views
What can Protectorate do to counter Epic Haley's Feat?
So, I have a friend who plays Cygnar in Warmachine. I play Protectorate, and he has been playing a LOT of Epic Haley. Her feat basically makes you 1) Forfeit either an action or a movement and 2) He ...
5
votes
3answers
221 views
When retreating from a compromised territory should you always leave one infantry?
In his seminal essays, Don Rae suggests that a retreating player always leaves one infantry in the territory she is retreating from:
Retreat and regroup when faced with overwhelming odds against ...
5
votes
2answers
133 views
Tactics for Othello
I understand that occupying the corners is desirable, as a counter placed there can never be flipped. Also, placing a counter on a square next to a corner seems to be bad as it usually hands the ...
5
votes
2answers
116 views
In Dungeon Run, is there ever a reason to assist another player if you have full health?
In Dungeon Run, when another player is on your tile, you can assist them. If you do, you are allowed to rally which means to remove a single damage from your character.
Since any other player will ...
5
votes
1answer
201 views
What is “Playing For Top or Bottom” In Bridge?
Apparently it relates to duplicate bridge. Initially, I thought it meant playing the hand in a risky way to score overtricks, and taking the chance of sacrificing a potential game. But then someone ...
4
votes
1answer
74 views
In Bridge, How do I Differentiate Between My Partner's Signals on Defense?
On defense, there are attitude, suit preference, and count signals. My guess is that the play to the first trick would represent an "attitude" signal for a suit. Beyond that, how do I differentiate ...
4
votes
1answer
189 views
How Do You Catch A Player Who Takes A Quick Lead In Alhambra?
I really enjoying playing Alhambra, but I'm a bit worried that my strategy may be overly simplistic. Basically, I play according to the following principles:
Try not to build buildings unless I can ...
4
votes
1answer
107 views
In 2 player, 10 card Gin, figuring out opponents cards
What tactics can you use to help determine what your opponent is looking for in two player 10 card Gin?
4
votes
1answer
367 views
In Axis and Allies, Which Ally Should “Take Out” Norway.
In most versions of the game it is essential for the Allies to capture Norway to allow the US and UK to properly reinforce Russia. A question them arises, which Ally should do the capturing (i.e. ...
4
votes
2answers
306 views
Best opening in Hansa Teutonica?
What opening move do you prefer in Hansa Teutonica with 3, 4, or 5 players?
4
votes
0answers
164 views
How can we win at Bohnanza: Al Cabohne?
My girlfriend and I have played the game Bohnanza a lot and we have bought the version Bohnanza: Al Cabohne. But somehow the game always beats us. Does anybody know a good tactic to win this?
3
votes
7answers
873 views
Strategies and kingdom cards for a strong opening in Dominion?
Dominion is a game of widely varying strategies and paths toward victory. But the most important part of any winning strategy is a strong opening.
How can I tell if a kingdom card is a good opening ...
3
votes
1answer
79 views
Is a “drop-finesse” better than a simple “drop” play with a nine card suit in bridge?
Regarding finesses for a missing queen in a key (e.g. trump suit), there is a proverb of "eight ever [always] nine never." Instead, one is supposed to play for a drop. (This, and most other proverbs ...
3
votes
2answers
2k views
Optimal (Or Just Effective) Strategy For The Resistance?
I played Resistance for the first time last night, and it was great fun, but the consensus at the table was that the resistance can only beat the spies given a healthy dose of luck. I played a ...
2
votes
1answer
162 views
In Bridge, What is the Merit of Taking a “Double” Finesse?
Suppose I am declarer, and dummy has a "side" (non-trump) suit with AQx or AQxx, and I have xxx in my hand. I have been told NOT to finesse the Q (a 50-50 chance), except as a last resort, or late in ...
2
votes
2answers
315 views
When should I pay to invade a neutral country in Axis and Allies
What factors should be considered when deciding whether to invade a minor country and pay the 3+ IPC's?
2
votes
1answer
411 views
In Axis and Allies, Can Infantry Building Lead to a “Stalemate” in the Early Going?
Most has been made of the so-called infantry push mechanism. Specifically, infantry are awfully useful for shielding heavier pieces (tanks, planes) from losses. But could they be too much of a good ...
1
vote
3answers
158 views
Evaluating an opponent in a game you're familiar with?
I love playing some of the old Avalon Hill games like PanzerBlitz and Midway (1964 edition) (I have the 1991 edition as well, but haven't played it much).
In PanzerBlitz, there are generally two ...
1
vote
2answers
142 views
In Poker, What is the Significance of “Betting on the Come”
An example appears to be betting when you have only four of straight or flush (with more cards coming), meaning that you can't (yet) beat say, a pair.
Is this a "value" bet of some sort (perhaps ...
1
vote
4answers
226 views
In Bridge, Do You Count Defensive Points In the Opponents' Suit When Making a Takeout Double?
Left hand opponent opened 1 heart. Partner doubled for takeout. Right hand opponent passed. I "had to" bid 2 clubs with something like (S) xxx (H) xx (D) Jxxx (C) Jxxx.
We were doubled for penalties, ...
0
votes
2answers
165 views
In Axis and Allies, Should An Attacker Be Allowed to Relinquish Certain “Prerogatives?”
These are situations that seem to be outside the official (second edition) rules. Unless I'm missing something.
Suppose Russia is allowed attack Norway on the first turn, and does so with two ...
-1
votes
3answers
291 views
Which castling method is superior?
Chess has two types of castling: kingside and queenside.
Which one is more advantageous near the beginning of the game?
-1
votes
3answers
811 views
Is A Good time Make a “Penalty” Double When Your Defensive Tricks Exceed Your “Allowance”?
Most contracts are predicated on the supposition that the defenders will win some tricks. If game can be made with "26 points and eight trumps," this leaves 14 points and five trumps to the defenders ...
