A few questions about early bonus strategies

[LittleTitan]

In games with 4 or more players, there's usually someone who goes for a small bonus early. Sometimes they lucked into the advantageous position, and sometimes they skillfully rooted it out.

This post has a few questions.

1) Are you one of the people who looks desperately to claim a small bonus early? If so, how do you play so that you don't become the first main target of everyone nearby?

2) When someone else claims a small bonus early, does it change your strategy any? I usually find myself wanting to focus on the player claiming power early. Do many of you sit back and hope that someone else does the dirty work of keeping the balance for you? How often do others instead just relocate and wait to be conquered by their powerful neighbor?

I'm sure it depends a lot on the skill level of the players in the game.

3) How do you handle these situations when the game is filled with relatively unexperienced players?

Thanks in advance for any replies. I enjoy playing games with many players, but I've recently had a bad string of losses. It seems that I'm not flying under the radar enough at times. Other times, trying to be the keeper of balance only hurts my own chances of winning.

[detlef]

In general, if I'm not dealt a really nice drop, I don't worry much about bonus areas. Sometimes, I actually find it to be a blessing in disguise not being dealt something like that for the reason you gave, it doesn't make me a target.

However, I would not go so far as avoiding such a territory if it can be secured relatively easily. Especially if you're playing against stronger players. Lower level players can't help themselves but bust up a bonus, so I might be more careful against them.

As for hitting a player with such a bonus, I typically equate how much the move will cost me vs how much of a bonus they're going to get.

If they're only guarding it with 2 or 3 armies, I feel like it's almost a matter of principle to deny them the bonus. However, if they've got, say 10 guys in Siam guarding Aussie on the Classic map, then it's hardly worth it.

Of course, the above assumes you're playing flat rate or no cards. If it's escalating, then the bonus really needs to come easy or it's simply not worth it. The good news is, in that format, should you get a bonus area, can put up even decent defenses, and are playing against solid players, you're not likely to get messed with. In fact, guys will often offer to move their guys out of the way and let you have the area rather than risk losing them to you.

[LittleTitan]

Hmmm, I guess i'm just the sort of person that likes to break down a game until it's a matter of mathematics. There's so much spoken and unspoken diplomacy in Risk, that it's frustrating when psychology and emotion become large factors in the game. I need to think about these things some more and try some various techniques. I'm not so much worried about my record right now as I am concerned with trying to master the game.

Thanks for the food for thought.

[Dr_Demento]

In games with 4 or more players, there's usually someone who goes for a small bonus early. Sometimes they lucked into the advantageous position, and sometimes they skillfully rooted it out.

This post has a few questions.

1) Are you one of the people who looks desperately to claim a small bonus early? If so, how do you play so that you don't become the first main target of everyone nearby?
nope, unless its practically given to me, say, starting with 3 out of 4 territories
2) When someone else claims a small bonus early, does it change your strategy any?it depends on whether the person is right next door I usually find myself wanting to focus on the player claiming power early. Do many of you sit back and hope that someone else does the dirty work of keeping the balance for you? that would be nice How often do others instead just relocate and wait to be conquered by their powerful neighbor?starting over in a new spot isn't difficult if you take the 1st couple turns to widely distribute your troops

I'm sure it depends a lot on the skill level of the players in the game.

3) How do you handle these situations when the game is filled with relatively unexperienced players?I use the game chat against them, even if i have to "create" something. EX: Gee blue, I just noticed that red is building up everywhere you are...I think he plans to take you out in the next couple turns

Thanks in advance for any replies. I enjoy playing games with many players, but I've recently had a bad string of losses. It seems that I'm not flying under the radar enough at times. Other times, trying to be the keeper of balance only hurts my own chances of winning.

[Plutoman]

Gotta agree with quite a bit of what is said.

In a no cards/flat rate game, only go for a small bonus if it's easy to secure. Otherwise, you want to consolidate into areas where you can cover yourself without easily losing territories. Which, this all depends solidly on the drop.

If you are in a good position, by all means, secure it. If not, set yourself up in positions to take whatever becomes easiest for yourself.

Like the others said, I try to balance the costs of the bonus in comparison to what it gains them and me to take it.

When the game is filled with lower, inexperienced players, I try to estimate what they do psychologically. Many of the stronger players can be predicted by looking at the math, and what is most ideal for them.

Inexperienced players are most likely to attack till they are down to 1 army, to sit and fort in one continent for turns on end (even when it could be their downfall), and to devote much more effort than necessary to attacking and gaining continents, regardless of the bonuses.

And of course, my strategies change to reflect that in games.