Gaming Nirvana: How to get rich and still enjoy the Games

[Shockfrost]

Welcome to Nirvana.

The joy of Gaia Games is simple;
and the art of making tickets and gold from them, heavenly.

Here, just simple, clear facts.

On ALL facets of the game.
The guide caters neither to the hardcore or the amateur.

Real factors are considered alongside heuristic concerns.

So the average player can learn how to really have fun, get rich, and stop before he drives himself crazy - happy, and a winner.

Enjoy your stay in Gaia Game Nirvana.
May newfound knowledge bring you joy.

[Shockfrost]

Post Two: Universal Advice and Good Approaches

UNIVERSAL ADVICE

My first recommendation is one of perspective.

1. It's a game.
If you're not having fun, it's time to do something else.

Gaia Games are a great way to make gold, but if you are looking to WORK HARD for gold, there are many other things you can do than play Gaia Games.

And at the top of the list, is: - Get a job and buy donation letters with the money you earn.
At 7.50 an hour, you'll be making 3 letters per hour. Even if you can't get minimum wage, earning 5 bucks by mowing the lawn for an hour is 2 letters.
Since a letter is over 10,000 gold, you'll be making from 20 to 30 thousand in Gaia for an hour of honest local community contribution.

Of course, a job is not any fun, though.
If you want to come play, enjoy yourself.
Don't make work out of a game. Seperate the two. Stop when it's not fun, and you will find happiness.

2. Don't play at work.
This echoes that last statement. Seperate work and play.
You will be happier for it... Less guilt, and less risk of disaster.

3. Get a good mouse.

Some of the games are not based on your mouse's abilities. But for many of the faster, twitchier games like Word Bump and especially FISHING, a high quality mouse is an essential advantage.

Nothing will frustrate you faster than hitting a 'mousewall' so clean your mouse. Or splurge and get something powerful.

I personally use an optical wireless - no cord, nothing to clean. High precision and very few problems, but expensive and occasionally I suffer from Battery Out. No solution is perfect...

4. Casual is profitable.
Gaia Online's model makes it easy to play just a little each day, and do just as well as others who play more intensely. There are exceptions, such as the mentally intense Word Bump - which is straining to play for big stretches - but generally a more heavy player faces diminishing returns.. so the "Joneses" aren't getting THAT much farther ahead than you. Do not be afraid to be amateur, casual, and independent.

Ignore advice. Slack off. Play when you feel like it. Get messy.
Gaia is good for that.

If you do want some tips, they are here for you. If you want to just do it, go play. 3nodding With a good mouse and a clear head, you're set. The games are easy to understand and you'll do fine.

You can come back if you find a problem.

5. Pro-Level Play demands Pro-Level Performance.
Going for a fishing trophy?
Setting a record in Fishing?
Going for the Crown in Blackjack?

I believe in you. Games have winners. A winner could be you.

You're gonna need to turn it up to be the best. Learn everything. Then go find the little things I don't teach you.
Watch your sleep. Get plenty. Eat well, get liquids. Take care of your love life. Work hard, so you can PLAY hard... a balanced person can do more.
And easy on Caffeine, it's a temporary fix with a major crash afterwards.

Be your best and maybe it will end up everyone's best too.

6. Know the FACTORS to the money.
There are specific factors per game, but in general... we each have tolerance for games like these. We can profit so much, then we just have to stop and come back later.

There are two big approach factors in the various games; Intensity and Stamina.
Either factor can give you the drive to keep going, but eventually both lead to BURNOUT.
You'll know if you're burned out on a game when you just close it, because you're done. Some incredible people simply will NOT burn out on a game! If you are one of them, you have just tapped a big source of loot.

Generally, after cooling off, a burned out player can get back up and play some more. Eventually, Burnout may become permanent if a player decides a game isn't fun anymore. BURNOUT is going to limit your profits.

In addition many games have a factor called DRAG. Drag reduces your profits from early games to later ones. Different games have different Drag Rates.



GOOD APPROACHES

Some different ways to play.. consider carefully.


A. Game and Post in seperate time.
You're on your game. Then later on, you're posting. One or the other.
This is especially good for Word Bump, and can work for any game. This gives you 100% focus on conversations or the game at hand.


B. Surf while Gaming
This can be fun and earn more gold than just gaming.
You earn gold once a minute by surfing. Reading things and fishing, listening for a fish-on, or reading and playing rounds of Word Bump can improve your playing stamina by breaking up the Repetiveness and get you some extra gold to boot.


C. Post while Gaming
This takes it to the next level. If you only post once every 5 minutes, you get maximum gold. Playing a game in between posts, like Word Bump or Jigsaw, and just peeking back to check the conversation, will give you a solid 15 to 25 extra gold every 5 minutes. For some games, this is harder, but for all of them it's still possible. Having a conversation while doing something mindless like spinning slots, can let you go practically forever.On the other hand, for some games like Word Bump, the divided concentration may cause you some problems.

If you want to have the gold, but don't want divided concentration, then just bump once every 5 minutes and return to your game. +gold, and no major break in the action.


D. Game with Friends
This is probably the BEST way to stay focused, is to chat with friends while you are gaming. You can play Slots, Jigsaw or Blackjack for literally HOURS back to back, laughing and having fun with buds.

If everyone likes blackjack, table it!
You can still bump if you want. And real-time chat can be refreshing!


E. Feed the dog your mouse.
This is one method that will slow you down, I recommend against it entirely.

[Shockfrost]

Post Three: Advice Specific to Fishing

General Info
Fishing is a game with three stages of Intensity - ranging from sleepy to difficult.
In addition, it has two stages of drag.
Your first 2 baitbuckets a day will have the most fishes every time. That's because even F Bait will count as "A" bait for the first two rounds.

Then them fishies will taper off. After 5 buckets, you will be getting the fewest good fish, your bait will only be as good as listed.

You can only catch lunkers at the farthest distance, and mediums at far or medium. Little fish can be at any distance, and rares also.

You can catch up to 9 lunkers per kettle, no more.

Rares won't appear if you use F bait, except in the first few buckets a day. If you want that chance for a Lionfish, pony up for D bait.

Every fish follows a back and forth pattern of pull power and speed, like a metronome. Because of it, landing every fish/trash breaks down to 3 parts:

FISH PATTERN
1. Set the hook
The fish will dart in one direction and then maybe quickly in another. This is because the fish picks a random starting point in its 'tick'. This means there can be milliseconds until the fish decides to turn. You must be agile and keep the fish from escaping when it splashes about a moment.

2. The reel
The fish will settle into the back and forth. Keep it in between the lines by pulling side to side in perfect time.

3. The land
As you get the fishie closer, the pull will move it farther on the screen. It is easy to lose a fish because it jerks at the last moment. Keep the timing perfect - don't be late or hurry the fish, because it's not going to change its beat!


PRO TIPS

You can filter junk when you learn to recognize how it moves. But keep in mind, junk sells pretty good at the market to other players. Also, you can filter out fish in the same way ;D

The best place to filter for trash is Port of Gambino, because the junk and the fish move very differently in that lake.

You can get the best exchange rate on Durem, where the resaled pebbos are worth as much as the junk at market. But the fish there ARE harder to catch, so it takes practice, and the value tapers off after a few fishes - the junk is harder to filter and you can get a lot of it.

If you just click "Fishing" you will be headed to Bassken which is the lowest intensity lake with very poor payouts, but a good one to learn on. It can be hard to tell the equally slow junk and fish apart.

Drag in fishing is at full after 5 games.
You will need good focus and practice to handle full-intensity fishing.
You can almost snooze playing low-intensity fishing, but it does not profit all that well.
A Stamina fisher will be able to go with minor drag for VERY long periods using D or F bait, and make good money. However the game demands attantion and reflex, and as such - you will burn out on it quicker at a higher intensity.

Moneymakers: Depending whether you are an intense player or one with stamina, you will want to decide between trolling for trash at Gambino's(Stamina), or fishing for lunkers in Durem(Intensity or Both). Pick the right location to postpone burnout and get the most profit.

Mouse quality is more important in fishing than any other game. Clean your mouse and fish with confidence, or get the ultimate weapon - an Optical Mouse.

FISHING POLE TACTICS
Normal Rod is the best fishing pole if you just want to have fun, because it's FREE. It can get it done. Normal Rod + is not the best for many people, but if you like the idea of 'sport fishing' you may get a kick out of it.

Strength Rod is the best fishing pole for beginners who want LOOT. It has a short casting distance. You can't cast far enough to reach lunkers... which means you won't hook them at all. But - the strength rod has broad, forgiving lines and the base widens, meaning the LAND is more forgiving. So if you mess up a little at the end you can still hook the fish. It's very good for landing most fish though, which makes it good for preventing offhooks, the #1 slowdown of goldmaking from fishing.

Strength Rod + is better than Strength rod in every way. It is even MORE forgiving, and has a longer casting reach... able to fish up lunkers. I recommend Strength Rod+ if you enjoy fishing, you catch 2+ buckets a day when you fish, you still occasionally offhook, and you want to improve your profits.

Performance Rod is a good midstep for heavy fishermen who are catching almost everything on Strength rod, or hobbyists who tend to lose fish at the Hook and the Land but really want to improve. It's expensive so you need to like fishing a lot for the investment, but it has improved casting range - so more lunkers, and helps at the Hook and the Land.
Performance Rod + is for the people who like fishing a lot, but aren't going any more Hardcore than they are right now, still make mistakes landing fish, and want the best they can get. It's worth the money if you fit the bill.

Distance Rod is for the purists, who can recognize a fish in 1.5 seconds after hooking, down to the color. They know every fish's rhythm like a heartbeat and they never miss a land. They know the only REAL danger is the Hook - when a fish moves wildly instead of following the beat.
Distance Rod has an expanded top which helps with the hook, and a LONG cast. Distance Rods give you the best shot at lots of lunkers. But once you hook it, you are expected NOT to mess up - the lines are narrower than other expensive rods and there's no widening at the base to help with the Land.

Distance Rod + is the ultimate Pro's tool. Maximum cast distance, widest top. The fish's rhythm is yours. Use your skill, don't lose that fish. Ideal for rare hunting - you'll see your chance to get that rare fish's beat down. Distance Rod + lands the most lunkers of any rod, because it spends the most time in the far part of the lake. This means D-bait and A-bait users who fish a lot will get plenty of nice fish, and filterers will get their nine lunkers faster.

[Shockfrost]

Post Four: Advice Specific to Jigsaw

You get paid for about 9 puzzles.

The amount is basically per-piece placed. So there is only 1 advantage to harder difficulty; more total gold.

You can make FASTER moneys by blitzing Easy puzzles 9 times in succession! YESH! Easy golds!

But if you love jigsaw, you can do harder puzzles to cash in while having a blast.



Rate Yourself -- If you can win :
EASY puzzles, you're an EASY puzzler
EASY in under 1 minute, you're a SOLID puzzler
EASY in under 30 seconds, you're a FLASH puzzler
NORMAL puzzles, you're an AVERAGE puzzler
NORMAL in under 2 minutes, you're a SKILLED puzzler
HARD puzzles, you're a THINKER puzzler
HARD puzzles in under 5 minutes, you're an ELITE puzzler
INSANE puzzles, you're a TRUE puzzler
INSANE puzzles in under 10 minutes, you're an INSANE puzzler


Jigsaw is a game with an eventual 100% DRAG.
If you keep playing, you will end up making 0.

This means, players with Stamina are somewhat out of luck; when 9 games are done, there's no more gold to be made.

Instead, two types of intense players have their way with Jigsaw.

The first type, pure intensity, plays on Simplest difficulty and clears as quickly as possible. After a number of quick rounds, the gold made gets pretty small in amount, so there's no reason to keep jigsawing.

The second type is a skill-intense player with good stamina too: A true puzzler. To keep up with the earning rate of the first type player, they must be amazingly skilled; but these players can play big difficult puzzles to make much more overall gold from Jigsaw.

Here, Stamina players find some solace; the method for earning lots, naturally demands a LOT of Stamina to deal with the Insane-level puzzles. Once 9 games are up, you can't make more gold; it's too bad for psychoes who can finish an Insane puzzle in 10 minutes that they're limited to 90 minutes a day.
For the rest of us. It is practically a stamina and skill challenge in one. Don't give up... Here's how to tackle em'.


Jigsaw pro-tips:

1. Get Familiar.
The better you know the puzzle, the better off you are. Practice on Easy, then work up to Normal and Hard.

2. Build the border early.
Border pieces stick out BIG time because of their flat edges. Grab them and make the frame as soon as possible, and you can start GUESSING where other pieces go by general area. Corners only go in one place. Grab them and plop them where they go.

3. Group by Color/marking.
Get all the pieces of similar color and shape together, and in the general area they'll probably be going. This saves time and effort.

4. SHUFFLE is your friend.
When you're skimming pieces for borders or more of a color or section, push Shuffle to get a new view. Don't poke through manually, that wastes time.

5. THOU SHALT NOT SCROUNGE.
Seriously. If you're looking longer than 5 seconds for any piece, let it go. You know where it goes and can find it later. Gap in a border? Leave it alone. Trying to plug a hole? Pretend it's plugged. Missing an Eye/Ear/Hand? Move on. Know JUST what you need? Great! Now FORGET it. If you shuffle more than twice looking for ANY one piece you're wasting time. You WILL find the piece later and you'll still know EXACTLY where it goes. So NO scrounging... ESPECIALLY NOT for the Corner pieces! Those will be very obvious the moment you notice them, and you will know exactly where to put them.

6. More pieces of similar nature need more attention.
If you have a dozen upper border segments, sort them out. SOME must match. If you have 3, either keep going and don't bother... or SHUFFLE and find more segments.

7. Keep the connecting pieces on the top; avoid clutter.
The new puzzle rules say only pieces on the TOP of a stack, can connect. If anything is covering any part of your connecting piece, they won't click. So make sure your pieces are both on the top by picking one up, then picking up the other and trying to match them. (if they're in piles. If not, good.)

8. The jigsaw edges change the picture.
They are actual, visible lines drawn right over the top of the picture. So yes, each piece looks a little different from the final picture. Getting used to looking 'around' the jigsaw cut is a key skill for a master - you can easily miss a deceptive connection because the pieces are different colors and the color-change is hidden by jigsaw edge. The effect WORSENS as the pieces get smaller. Getting familiar is the way around it.

9. As the puzzle winds down, Use the knobs to identify where the leftovers go.
You will often have a section of all-black, or similar hard-to-place stuff at the end. At this point you can use the available edges of the puzzle, and match hole-to-knob to solve the last few pieces. Perfect!

10. Go to 9. Remember to stop at 9.
You put the time in to get skilled. Now use it. Cash your skill in every day. Don't forget to jigsaw for gold at least a couple times, because it will take less and less time out of your day as you get better. Go to 9 everytime you feel like doing tolerating it. But you don't get paid (much) for puzzle #10. Your dwindling reward should be indicator enough to stop for the day - when the gold starts to dry up, move on. Don't get hit with a 0 and waste your time.

11. Change the background color.
You should do this every time you sit down to your favorite puzzle - switch to a background color that is not in the puzzle itself!

Other Notes
Recently, prizes started being handed out for Jigsaws. It is tradition to recieve a house copy of the portrait you complete; however, it seems other nice items are being given. I don't have all the information on these prizes, other than they are out there.

I will inform everyone as soon as I know.

[Shockfrost]

Post Five: Advice Specific to Word Bump

Word Bump recently was improved: It's now worth a lot more to play.
Word Bump used to give fairly poor gold in early rounds.
It now pays out well earlier on, and pays heavier in later rounds.
In addition, the item prizes are vastly improved, and scale with your achievement. You used to get a crappy 1 gold starter item.

You can now expect a prize worth over 100 gold for reaching level 30. Subsequent levels are significantly better, too. The prizes include both furniture and clothing.

Word Bump is a game without DRAG.
That means, it appears to always be worth the same great gold and prizes if you can keep winning.

The trouble is, Word Bump is mentally and physically intensive. It is draining to Word Bump for long periods. The scaling prizes mean the best-paying option is always to do your very best, and try for the stars - the path to levels 90 and 120 are gilded every harsh step of the way, and the prizes for climbing to such heights will surely make you enjoy the value of your time spent. And should you ever reach 150 . . .

Word Bump becomes more and more frenzied with each step up the endless stair...

A few tips to heed.

Word Bump PRO-Tips:


1. Make sure all rows are off the bottom by 2-3 clicks.

2. Then kill rows 1 by 1, using short words to destroy trickyspots and hurry. Get the shortest row first. This will decrease the total 'drops' you have to cope with. Lock it in before moving on. Wash, rinse, repeat. The hardest part, is the very start.

3. Vowels in the keyword are your FRIEND. If your keyword did not contain a vowel, be CAREFUL with your vowel supply this round!!

4. You want a 3-color rainbow ball most, not one of the other types.
If you're 3 levels from an item, save a rainbow ball.
Otherwise, use IMMEDIATELY at the start of a level to take out one column. Pick the hardest one you see rightaway (Q G J V Z are your tipoffs)

5. Using longer, consonant-filled words will help in the longrun. (Better vowel supply) So if you see a biggun and you're safe from doom, take it. Otherwise, hunt small moves. This type of consonant attack is very important when your keyword has no vowels - words like BURP and ROCK that break 3 consonants to one vowel are just perfect... words like AGE and EYE should be avoided until your aisles are packed with vowels.

6. Nothing but vowels.. it happens much less often, but if it does, do NOT panic. Just use a consonant in your keyword to break up the vowels.

7. Later on, you will really feel the delay from using a Rainbow ball... You cannot break a word, and the timer is still going.

But you CAN still select letters. So, launch it and immediately look for the biggest word you can find, and get it selected and ready.
The minute the rainbow is done, break it, then clean up any columns about to drop.

Once you get past 75, that may not be enough. Get EVERYTHING one line or two off the bottom, THEN rainbow ball, so you don't lose automatically. (Let me tell you - when that happens on level 88, it sucks pretty bad.)

8. With practice you see most letters are killed with vowel+consonant.
But killing C/G/J/Q/V/Z will eat your time. Remember which single vowels can destroy them. Practice them. Get used to the comboes that work.

9. You would think a word that breaks two difficult letters at once, like "GroG, ViVa, fiZZ" is kinda useless. It is, until you have to handle two difficult letters at once. Then it saves you from having to come up with two solutions.
For the harder letters, like G, V, and Z, knowing a handful of double breakers will turn a monstrously slow line into a quick, chuckling triumph.

LETTER TACTICS

B is intimidating but it actually breaks to any single vowel but U, and BU breaks with TNDBMS and various 2-comboes like LL and RR. In short, it looks like trouble, but it's a pushover with practice.

C is not breakable with just one vowel but is easily breakable with one of MANY quick 3s, like Cut or Cap. If you are overdependent on keyvowel cracking, C's will make you panic. Relax. If you've got all-vowels go for Ace or Cee. Otherwise, just grab a partner consonant and go.

G will be some trouble. Look for an A or O to start. If you can't GO or AG, try for GEE, or b/r/sIG. If you have a lot of G's, break out the eGG, GroG, GluG and GaG so you don't get swamped.

J is a nuisance. It doesn't have any 1-vowel breaks. Look for a B, G, N, W or T to get rid of that stupid J.

Q(u) is a tricky one also. Go for the A foremost - QA wil save you so much grief. Try for Qiz, Qit, Qote, Qod, or even Qeue. You just have to practice this one, it won't come visually due to that stupid U.

V is a rather hard vise when a combo isn't there. . . very often a quick vacate is not available. But with enough vowels, and the right view, you'll find a lot of words have V in them... one is bound to reveal itself. Use your vision and find one. Viva will kill a double trouble-or-worse situation.


Z's. They seem to come in droves. Fortunately, fiz breaks one and fizz breaks two. Zoo, Zit and Zag are my personal go-to words, because I tend to have extra Os, and I don't like having G in my puzzle. Puzzle is not a good word to try for unless it's staring at you; stick to 4 letters.


HOW TO MANHANDLE THE LETTERS
-- short letter/vowel comboes
(CAPLETTER - what you can kill, * - many comboes possible)

Ba Be Bi Bo Tub
Ace Ca* Cee Sec Tic Ice Cos Cor Coy Cu*
aD De iD Do
Fa* iF iF Fee Fume
aG Gd Gee biG riG siG Go Glue Gym
Ha He Hi Hm Ho uH
Jaw Jay Jew Jet Jest Jee Jig Jin Job Joe Jog Join Jolt Jug Jut
Ka eKe Ki* uKe rocK
aL Le* Li Lo Lue
aM Me Mi Mo Mu
aN Ne iN oN uN
Pa Pe Pi Po* uP
Qa Qiz Qit Qeue Qod Qote
aR eR Rev Rip Rig oR Rue
aS See iS So uS
aT Tee Tea iT To uT
Uh Un Up Us Ut Um
eVe deV reV Vet iVy Vim Vox oVa Voe
We Wo aW Win Wit Wtf Wtt Wth Wts
aX eX Xi oX tuX
Ya Ye Yip Yig oY You
Zag Zap Zed Zip fiZ wiZ qiZ coZ Zoo

COPING WITH WORDBURN
In particular, Word Bump induces a special type of Burnout from thinking too hard in a reflex environment. This is common during all sorts of puzzle games that really turn up the heat... but since it's basically the only culprit in Gaia, I'll call it Word Burn.

Frantic, stressful concentration can cause an impressive Zone effect, where the player shuts out everything and excels at concentration and reaction. The Zone effect can produce amazing scores and achievements.

The aftereffect is usually Word Burn, a dull feeling in the head which is basically, mental exhaustion. The brain has actually burned up a lot of its processing chemicals trying to win Word Bump, and needs a break.

Trying to Word Bump through Word Burn will probably result in lackluster play. You might be able to start another Zone to counteract the effect, but you will not be at your pinnacle any more. You may get a headache or feel tired while you play.

You can partly prevent and delay it with good nutrition, lots of liquids and plenty of sleep, but every brain will eventually hit its limits and slow down after enough intense Word Bump.

Over time, the Burn effect will go away. You will be just fine and even smarter for it. It is healthy for a brain to excercise its full strength from time to time, and the processing chemicals will naturally rebalance over a short period.

[Shockfrost]

Post Six: Advice Specific to Blackjack

You can make tickets much more efficiently here than at Slots. That's only because the dealers pay you a stack if manage to beat them.

But you will lose efficiency if you play slowly.

Practice knowing what to do at a glance to win FAST and BIG.
The pro-tip here includes a complete quick-tactic to win that includes bonuses for beating dealers.



PRO-TIPS: Blackjack
Rules A-C and 1+

OVERRULING STRATEGY

OVER-RULE A: Got an Ace? Skip to section A.

OVER-RULE B: BEAT dealers, win BONUSES. Don't reset your game.

OVER-RULE C: Anytime you look beat, CHEAT.
Check his card before you risk busting.
If you're both over 17 and you've got him beat, stand and take the win.
If he's under 17, Stand - make him hit and risk it.
If he's 17+ and over you, hit and try to get past him.
Use it early, and often, so it can recharge.

BEGINNER TACTICS
THE OBVIOUS THINGS
Rule 1: 17+ | STAND
Your total is 17 or higher - STAND and force a showdown. There is too much risk in another hit and you have a good total.

Rule 2: 7- | HIT
Your total is 7 or less - HIT and check the table again. Any card will improve your hand...

---
INTERMEDIATE TACTICS

LOOKING GOOD
Rule 3: 9-11 | DD
If your total is between 9 and 11, and the enemy is not showing Ace- DOUBLE DOWN. There is some risk if your opponent is showing a card between 7 and 10, but this is made up for by the extra damage it does to the dealer's "health bar" - when it empties you get a ticket boost.

LOOKING BAD
Rule 4. 12-16 vs. 7 + | HIT
Your total is between 12 and 16 and the dealer shows 7 to Ace - HIT and be ready to lose to a bust.

Rule 5. 12-16 vs. 6 - | STAND
Your total is between 12 and 16 and the dealer shows 2 to 6 - STAND and make the dealer risk BUSTING.

---
ADVANCED TACTICS

Rule 6. 12 vs. 2-3 | HIT
If you have 12, and a 2 or 3 is showing for the dealer, the best best is to hit and cross your fingers. There's a good chance he will get something standable in one hit and you'd better try for something better too.

Rule 7. 8 vs. 5-to-8 | DD
You've got an 8, he's showing something weak - DOUBLE DOWN. The situation is better than it looks at first... put the squeeze on him.

Rule 8. 9-11 vs. A | HIT
If you see an Ace with a 9 to 11, just HIT. The odds are strongly against a Double Down, the dealer will get a second chance against busting.
---

Section A - Elite use of Aces

Your Ace must be LIVE to be here - that is, acting as an 11. If an eleven would bust you, and the Ace must be a 1, it's a dead ace. Go back to Rules 1-8.

As long as you have a live Ace, you can take some chances and cash in. If you go too high and an 11 would bust you, the Ace can count as 1 instead, and the game goes on from Rules 1-8.


A1. 12 to 18 vs 2 to 6 | DOUBLE DOWN
You've got your opponent over a barrel - you have a good position. If you get dealt a low enough card, your score gets better. If you get dealt a high enough card, your score gets better. And if you get dealt a middle card, the dealer still has to risk busting.

A2. 12 to 17 vs 7 to A | HIT
Still looking good, but you will want to change your mind depending on how this card goes. Cheat if you can, to make sure the dealer has something 17+. Then take a hit.

A3. 18+ | STAND
Leave well enough alone.

---

A4. 18 vs 3-6 | DOUBLE DOWN
You have 18, he has 3 to 6.
The dealer looks weak enough to force it.

A5. 19 vs 6 | DOUBLE DOWN
You have 19. Dealer 6 is showing.
Double down... the little sweet spot.

[Shockfrost]

Post Seven: Advice Specific to Slots

Slots has a weaker ticket payout rate than Blackjack after a few tokens.

But you can also go through tokens much faster than the average blackjack player, resulting in a faster accumulation of tickets, if you don't mind a noticeably weaker exchange rate.

During like the first hundred or so token plays each day at slots, you get 'wild spins' - more Giftboxes, more Wings.

This can frustrate, because you get fewer pairs, so more dead spins.
But you also have a MUCH higher chance to jackpot.

As a result, earning consistency is very poor, but your overall ratio is better. Within 15 minutes, you'll know whether it worked for you or against you - if you hit triple boxes or wings, you lucked out and broke the table. If you hit junk, rough luck. More than one big spin in 'the lucky 15' is far from unheard of.

After a few minutes, the number of G Coins goes up. You will hit more pairs, but your chances of triple wings and triple boxes goes down quite a bit. Overall your ticket rate gets poorer and blackjack is the better game if you're serious about ticket exchange rate.

If you are mowing through Daily Chance freebies, Slots > Blackjack. You can go through tokens faster and with less attention, and make tickets a touch quicker than blackjack. But after about 15 minutes, that rate slopes off.

Slots are still an ideal way to gather tickets with almost no attention. If you are chatting or posting with friends and not wanting to worry about the rules of some silly card game, slots will do just what you need it to.

[Shockfrost]

Post Eight: Reserved for Future Advice

(Possibly Rally)

[Shockfrost]

Post Nine: Reserved for Future Advice

(Possibly Towns)

[Shockfrost]

Post Ten: Reserved for Future Advice

(Possibly Battle)

[Shockfrost]

HISTORY


These words of wisdom, Pure and True, were written by one man on June 20th of 2007. They have remained unchanged from this point.

[Shockfrost]

About the Author

[Shockfrost]

Thread Etiquitte
You may ask any questions you like. I may not have answers.

You can answer other people's questions if you think your answer is especially good.

The guide will be updated with the best strategies that are discovered by the author. If you put your strategy on the thread, I will likely test it.

Thank you for accepting that not everyone is an expert... and some people want to know answers that have been repeated many, many times.

[Shockfrost]

Nirvana is Open now.

Enjoy, everyone. :3

[Shockfrost]

This thread will be bumped to remain on the first page. :3

Enjoy.