I love to play this game despite the fact I've lost more games then I've one. It's not all about winning, but having fun, and learning strategy. And the fact that I've lost three games with AAFitz only means I must play against him once more to prove myself worthy
"AAFitz, I will beat you even if it takes a CC eternity. "
"You can't rule the world in hiding. You've got to come out on the balcony sometime and wave a tentacle"
I know something similar would happen to me if I got premium, which is why I haven't gone for it yet. I broke major a couple of weeks ago, and was up with a decent cushion, then got hosed in some 40 point feudal games - very fun, but still, sitting with a 4 point margin to bust rank is not where I like to be. A while ago, I babysat for 1 week or so for a guy who had 15 games going (yeah, I know, not a lot), and all I wanted to do was take the turns and get the games done with. Even games where I stepped into an advantage I lost, usually due to cards (in fairness, I don't play that much multi-player esc.) Poor guy dropped like 200 points. And so, I go on with my four games happily forced to be patient by reason of the fact that most of the time, I'm waiting to take my turn. If every time I logged in I had a turn ready, I'd be playing without long term strategy... not good.
So, after all that, my suggestion to you is simple... enjoy the site but don't start too many games.
My ever constant two last games seem to have no end in sight!