Question On Escalating Cards Strategy

[Easy n Dirty]

I realize that this decision ultimately depends on alaot of different variables, but in general, do you think it's correct in an escalating game to not take a card in one of your earlier turns so as to move to the back of the line in terms of cashing?

And do you think it's more correct if you are first to go, meaning you'd be first to cash assuming other players wait until they have 5 cards, which seems to be the norm?

And lastly, does your answer change for a 4-player game versus a 6-player game?

[chessplaya]

I realize that this decision ultimately depends on alaot of different variables, but in general, do you think it's correct in an escalating game to not take a card in one of your earlier turns so as to move to the back of the line in terms of cashing?

And do you think it's more correct if you are first to go, meaning you'd be first to cash assuming other players wait until they have 5 cards, which seems to be the norm?

And lastly, does your answer change for a 4-player game versus a 6-player game?

this is a tricky question as for escalating cards its always good to miss 1 card or 2....sometimes and u wouldnt believe u can miss 3 cards.
But this cards missing depends on ur positions on the board calculatin each and every1's cash assuming they will attack u and can u survive after their attack??? well if that is possible u can miss ur 5th card (if u have 4 card set)
And the cards missing in the early rounds depends on ur go meaning if u r first to go why waste armies and to get an early card and an early cash later....so better if u miss 2 consecutive cards.....i know some ppl may play diffrently and not every1 is onna agree on this but at least i hope i was enough help
cheers and good luck

[IronE.GLE]

If you have the first move, then skipping a card is beneficial to you. If you move second and there is an easy target left by the first player, then take your card. Wait for 5 cards before you cash and hope you get a 3 card set and whoop ass.

[chessplaya]

Wait for 5 cards before you cash and hope you get a 3 card set and whoop ass.

THAT'S DEPENDING ON LUCK THUS NO STRATEGY INVOLVED

[Iz Man]

Typically I'll take cards up to 4 initially (the first 4 turns) and then maybe just deploy and/or fortify on the 5th turn in hopes of not being the first to only cash 4.
That being said, each game is unique so it really depends on how things are going in the game.

If I'm getting my a** kicked come the 4th turn and I can cash, albeit only 4 armies, then I'm cashin' in.

[chessplaya]

Typically I'll take cards up to 4 initially (the first 4 turns) and then maybe just deploy and/or fortify on the 5th turn in hopes of not being the first to only cash 4.
That being said, each game is unique so it really depends on how things are going in the game.

If I'm getting my a** kicked come the 4th turn and I can cash, albeit only 4 armies, then I'm cashin' in.

what if u do not manage a 4 cards set???

[IronE.GLE]

Wait for 5 cards before you cash and hope you get a 3 card set and whoop ass.

THAT'S DEPENDING ON LUCK THUS NO STRATEGY INVOLVED

Even if I don't get a 3 card set, I still like to be the first to cash in a set. You just have to set yourself up so that you cannot be wiped off the board before you can get your second set. IMO, the key is to NOT try taking any bonus territories. It makes you a target for those cashing in after you.

[chessplaya]

If u read what i wrote the 1st time u would have noticed that i said missing cards if calculating all the other players attacking u with sets involved and if u can manage to survive after it!!!! then if u can why the hell cash for 4 armies if u can go last for 12 or 15 ???

[Coleman]

A great Classic Map strategy that works more often then you would think is to hole up in Australia and only attack until you have a set. If you manage to get a set before you have 5 cards, which you usually will. Just sit back and don't do anything but fort until the turn in is big enough to steamroll through the map.

EDIT: A huge part of this is timing, if you don't attack at just the right time things go horribly wrong. Too late and someone will come down and wipe you out. Too early and you won't be able to get enough sets from eliminating people to win and the last guy's turn in will take you out.

[RobinJ]

A great Classic Map strategy that works more often then you would think is to hole up in Australia and only attack until you have a set. If you manage to get a set before you have 5 cards, which you usually will. Just sit back and don't do anything but fort until the turn in is big enough to steamroll through the map.

EDIT: A huge part of this is timing, if you don't attack at just the right time things go horribly wrong. Too late and someone will come down and wipe you out. Too early and you won't be able to get enough sets from eliminating people to win and the last guy's turn in will take you out.

Love that strategy myself - I usually don't win escalating otherwise. I would always miss a card here and there.

Btw - has anyone mentioned greasemonkey yet - it is very helpful

[ParadiceCity9]

I usually wait for other people to play their cards...and no, I don't usually attack in the first round unless there's a 1 or maybe a 2 nearby me.

[Iz Man]

what if u do not manage a 4 cards set?

Well if I don't have a set after 4 cards and I'm getting my a** kicked then I'm kinda screwed.
Otherwise you know you'll have a set after 5 so you'll cash after the next turn regardless. My point being in that strategy, hopefully others will be forced to cash prior to you (because they have 5 cards) so your initial cash will be at a higher rate.

[GrazingCattle]

I would listen to chessy. He knows what he is talking about. I recently finished a game with him and he turned a losing position into a win. Sad on my part since every single card set came on the 5th for me (normally that isn't a bad thing but with two people and the first to cash in wins, you want the earlier set), but who is to blame?

I learned something in that game and I will be better next time!

GC

[Judge Gabranth]

Wait for 5 cards before you cash and hope you get a 3 card set and whoop ass.

THAT'S DEPENDING ON LUCK THUS NO STRATEGY INVOLVED

just thought id say that if u had 5 cards you have to have a set of three, no luck is involved

[chessplaya]

Wait for 5 cards before you cash and hope you get a 3 card set and whoop ass.

THAT'S DEPENDING ON LUCK THUS NO STRATEGY INVOLVED

just thought id say that if u had 5 cards you have to have a set of three, no luck is involved

OH MY GOD, IS THIS COMMENT FOR REAL???? I MEANT THE WAITING ON A 3 CARDS SET AND WHOOPING THE BOARD AFTERWARDS IS DEPENDING ON LUCK!!!!

[hasaki]

I play a lot of escalating game i have tried a few different strategies. But i find not getting a card can be a huge disadvantage to you in the latter parts of the game. attack always get your card and watch your placements. and time your cash ins. and don't forget that in escalating games its not as important to get a continent go for the easy cards and at the business end of the game kick some ass .

[Maugrim]

The trick to escalating games is board position. Rather than try and secure a continent, I like to have a couple of different countries spread around the board. That way I have more access to someone who has bad dice or overextends themselves. As soon as someone is weak enough, and has enough cards to net me 5 (allowing me to cash in midturn), I go at them.

With respect to cashing in cards, I usually wait a turn or somewhere along the line. If I can sit on a set I will. That having been said, I don't mind being the first to cash in if I have a good position.

[IronE.GLE]

If u read what i wrote the 1st time u would have noticed that i said missing cards if calculating all the other players attacking u with sets involved and if u can manage to survive after it!!!! then if u can why the hell cash for 4 armies if u can go last for 12 or 15 ???

Sorry, I have a tendency to skip run on sentences.