What's the point of reserving a card as first action?

[FrankJones]

For a deeper dive into this analysis:

https://boardgamearena.com/forum/viewtopic.php?t=42790

I haven't lost since that discussion occurred. I am surely still making errors, but at least I am more focused on the efficiency of my turns. Reserving a card is generally not an efficient turn. And, reserving a mediocre or useless card just because the other person is about to buy it, is not likely to lead to a good result.

[Reimatch]

I am rated around 400 and a bit.
I think Gold is very good! Efficient cards too!
So if you have a 4-2-1 blue card giving 2 points on table, and another 6 blue card, giving 3 points, one card helps to get the other. So one color strategy or going to 4-5 points early, are good starting plans imo , thats why I reserve at first.

[FrankJones]

Yes. Getting a 3-point card is nearly impossible in a 2-player game without some gold.