Puerto Rico: 3 player game ganging up on me

[SayWut]

Hello all,

I really suck at Puerto Rico as I have no clue what my opponents think or will do in a 3 player game. The basic idea that most players tell me is you need to keep the person after you in check. I try to do that but what if the next person is clueless and keeps doing what benefits him and also makes the person after him benefit even more? I've lost soooo many games when the next person after me just blindly crafts or lets his next player in line choose the option he/she needed badly. The end results always being me whining about it, hoping the next player after me will do the good thing, but he/she will mostly get pissed at me and just keep me in check instead, and the person after me will always get #2 and the person after him will always get #1 and I get last place while WAAAY behind. I don't know what to do or how to play this game. Please help or any tips will be appreciated.

[Armyguy]

You have very little control over the player after you. Since you have played many games, what I am about to state is probably elementary for you. 1st player builds, last player ships. As the game progresses, you have to look to see if the other players are doing the expected or if they are going a different route. Then see if you can tailor your position by predicting how the game will flow. Alternatively, exclusively play with 2 or play with equally ranked individuals.

[Phreekshow1]

sometimes I will just use up the captain or trader role even if I do not need them. Particularly if noone has anything to trade or ship. Even if craftsman has coins on it. I always try to let someone else choose craftsman so I do not set someone else up for dubloons or shipping points

[Oso]

I'm not a PRO in Puerto Rico.

I can suggest you replay 3p games played, it could be a good guide for you and it works in ALL games.