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Who's Hot? Table of Contents Sudoku
Hey all and welcome to another article of the Strategist's Hideout. This time around, we are heading back to basics: the first turn player's starting move. Now, you may be one of those players who think: "Well, it's only the first move and there are still eight cards to be played," but little do you know that the starting move could possible make or break your success of winning your game. When creating a hand or when you play with random, you should always try and look for a good move you can make if you have first turn. The first card that is played usually sets up how the rest of the cards will be played. For example, if you and your opponent played two matches and you both used the same hands in both games, playing your first move differently in the second match than in the first can completely change how and where the cards are played.
Now, there are three different starting positions you can make which I will be discussing. In each one, there are three questions you need to ask yourself before making your move.
1) Spots 1, 3, 7, and 9
This is the most common spot for a first turn move and is the easiest to work with.
When making this move, there are a few questions you should ask yourself:
Can my opponent take my card? - When playing open, always ask yourself this question. If you see that you can play a card in any of corner spots and your opponent will not be able to take it by using a card with a higher value or by a rule, this is one of the best moves you can make. However, remember to make sure you are paying attention to the rules, because even if your opponent does not take your card on his/her turn, he/she may be able to take it on the next turn with one of the rules. If you are playing Closed, it is only a matter of guessing whether or not your opponent could take your card.
Can I take back my card if my opponent does take it? - This is an important question to ask yourself before making your move. You should be able to take back the card you play from either side should your opponent choose to take your card in the corner directly. In some cases, you may want to throw a card with low number values pointing out in a corner just to assure yourself you can take back the card from either side.
Where are my highest values facing? - This happens more often in games where the Random rule is in place, but it can also apply to set hands. Usually, you want to try and have a balance of number values in all directions (e.g. If you are playing Level 10, you would want to have enough cards to have an A facing up, down, left, and right) but your hand may not be like that and your highest number values may be in one direction more than another on your cards. If this is the case, you want to play in the corner where all those values are facing. This way, if you and your opponent are playing around the corner card, you will be using your higher number values rather than your lower ones. Of course, when rules come into play, it might not be such a bad idea to use some of the lower values and it is something you need to look out for.
2) Spots 2, 4, 6, and 8
This is an advanced first turn move as it sets up the board differently than in if you played in the corner and the focus of your cards will be much different.
When making this move, there are a few questions you should ask yourself.
Can my opponent take my card? - This answer is similar to answer in the previous section but it is very rare for the answer to be 'no'. This is because now you have three values facing out, and depending on the level, at least one of those values will be low and can be taken by your opponent directly. However, if it is possible to make this move where your opponent is unable to take your card from any directly, it is the best move.
Can I take back my card if my opponent does take it? - Again, the answer is similar as in the last section, but with one difference. If the only way you can take back your card is by placing in spot 5, do not play it. This may lead to some unwanted set ups that may cost you the match. You want to be able to take back the card from the left and right if you are playing in spot 2 or 8 or be able to take the card back from the top or bottom if you are playing in spot 4 or 6.
Where are my highest values facing? - The answer for this question follows the answer in the last section. Play your first move in the spot that the highest values of your other cards are facing. If your opponent plays on the opposite side of your card, keep playing next to your cards you play. Eventually, you will come to a point where you will hopefully get your card down with a high value next to your opponent's card.
3) Spot 5
This is the most complex and risky first turn move to make as you give your opponent as many options as yourself. This move is most often seen in Closed games and is used by players who have hands that rely on a specific card to be in the center.
When making this move, there are a few questions you should ask yourself.
Can my opponent take my card? - The answer to this will always be yes unless your opponent happens to be playing with cards that are of a much lower level than yours. The thing you DO want to look out for is how many options you could give your opponent to play. Try to play a card that makes your opponent only able to take your center card by playing in as little spots as possible. For example, try to play a card in spot 5 where your opponent would not be able to take it by playing in 2 and 4, and also spot 3 by using a rule. By limiting the options your opponent has, it will be easier to set up how the game is played.
Can I take back my card if my opponent does take it? - You should be able to take back your card from at least to adjacent sides. You also may want to have options where you can play in a corner and be able to take back both of your cards by using a rule.
Where are my highest values facing? - Even though you have taken the center, you still want to play in spots that the highest value of your cards are facing. It is a bit more difficult to direct the cards in any specific direction so you may want to avoid using spot 5 as your first turn move unless you really see no other choice.
After you make your first turn move, you will have to make your own judgments as to where to play. Pay close attention to what has been played and act accordingly. Remember that the first turn move is an important one and should help you form your strategy for the rest of the game.
And that is all for this article of the Strategist's Hideout. As always, I hope you found the article helpful or at least informative. Stay tuned for the next issue as I will be discussing a special topic that has been around since the origin of online Triple Triad. What is it? You will have to wait and find out. Happy Triple Triading.
