Collection of typical mistakes / bad plays

[VoltHi]

Hi,

as a reference for new players, who want to improve their game, I'd like to write down a few examples.

Lots of disclaimers:
Although it is written in form of rules, this is basically my personal opinion and I know not everybody will agree with everything. If something is clearly "wrong", please comment - but keep in mind that I didnt put this here to fight over right or wrong.
I usually play 2p, so typical multi-player things are not included in my list.
This is not a complete list of all conventions. I am not going to explain bluff/finesse for example. Other people have written comprehensive lists of conventions/strategies already. I dont want to recreate that - this is just a list of things I see a lot and imho often cause problems in games on BGG with random unexperienced players.
This is not a list of strict rules and there certainly are exceptions that i forgot to mention. Apply common sense, but I think it is good to think about these:

1. A color clue is always a play clue unless a) it hits a marked number card that should be discarded (for example on clued 1s) b) all cards of that color and multi are out (obviously) c) it is a delayed play clue (your partner knows he has a playable card of a specific color and he clues you the same color) - you should play after he plays
2. A number clue is always a play clue unless a) it hits chop b) it cant be a playable card (it might for example be an early save to prevent a double discard)
3. Ignoring stacked clues is a mistake: For example if you receive a clue for 1 and then a color clue on it that also hits another card (or more). That means that the left clued card is the 2. It is not a simple re-clue on the 1.
4. Save-clueing 5s (also at the beginning of the game) is often done too early: Only do it with a good reason like if it is on chop (=next discard) or if you need to prevent a double discard. Starting the game with a 5 clue is usually a waste of clues. You can still give that clue later and maybe another 5 comes up in between. Even if the 5 is on chop you should usually clue the plays first and clue 5 only if your partner is probably going to discard on his next turn or there are other good reasons.
5. Double discarding is dangerous: If the player in front of you drops any card that is still required - you need to check if your next discard can possibly be the same card. If that is the case, you should not discard (on your next play). Sometimes you know it cant be, because of previous clues. It is important to try to keep track of color-negative clues for example. Of course you can make a risk-decision if you have more critical problems or no clue at all but you should be aware of it and try to avoid double discards.
6. Playing 1s from left in early game is a mistake: It is a basic convention on bgg to play 1s from right. Most players do it, there are good reasons for that and it is a problem if you cant be sure in which way your partner will play them. Later in the game you should not blindly play from right... for example if only the last 1 is missing and someone clues 1 on a new draw and other 1s it is of course a "play left and discard the rest"-situation.
7. If you can clue 1s with color at the beginning (and your partner has or may also have 1s) - DO IT. It makes playing the 1s so much easier. Avoid bluffing out multi-1 with color though if you already have clued 1s in your hand.
8. If your partner discards a playable card it usually means that you have the same playable card and you should play it (may also involve bluff) - you should play the leftmost qualifying card (marked with number/color). If there is none, it is the leftmost card.
9. If your partner does something weird (like discard when he has a play) it indicates a problem on your hand; proceed with caution; think about skipping a discard; keep in mind your partner could have just missed the play
10. Same thing with intentional bombs - if you receive a play clue that bombs somewhere on the left side, it should indicate a big problem on your hand; assume that every card right from the bomb is saved, proceed with the card left of the bomb as new chop; keep in mind it could also be a mistake...
11. If your partner skips a discard (usually if he has no clue) - you should do the same, it is a save-clue (exception of course: if the skip is a reaction to your play)
12. If your partner bomb-plays a card that was not clued (usually if he has no clue)- you should play the card in the same position

Feel free to add more!

Have fun,
VoltHi

[4xel]

Nice list! Although sounds somewhat advanced, I wouldn't call not knowing most playing bad, just not playing well.


Does 8 has a name? And is it playbable on 3+P?

[Tiramisu1th]

Nice list! Although sounds somewhat advanced, I wouldn't call not knowing most playing bad, just not playing well.


Does 8 has a name? And is it playbable on 3+P?

in 3+P the second copy of the duplicated card is most likely not being clued at all to save clues, so the case is really rare, though it's still possible to happen

[Ankeszu]

I would add ignoring negative clues to your list.

1.
also, it is not a play clue if you have obvious negative clues that point it is not playable. Example: start of the game, you've been clueed 1s on starting hand, played 1g, and turn later you receive yellow clue that doesn't touch marked 1 nor newest card. Obviously it is not playable as 1y nor 1m not yet on the table (useful way of saving things early, when it is not ambiguous).

That is MINIMUM.

I also don't like - in 2p - to treat some chop color clues as plays, if there is no reason the clue wasn't given earlier. 5cards 2p happens to be hard on saveability sometimes, and it can make a difference. Imagine:
Partner having 2 slots open, there are 4 clues, no plays in many turns, there are some 4s discarded, one 4 is already played. Partner's last turn discard was trash non-multi 1, and his hand is now 4trash 4unique 555. Would you rather clue 4s - wasting later clues to correct that he can discard one - or simply start by color clue? If it was a play, it would be clued turn earlier - by his discard partner can notice the other card wasn't stopping you from clear clue on newest, and there was enough clues.

==> so, timing of the clue matters too. If it could be clued earlier with no risk (token number and incoming saves!) nor ambiguity (waiting for something to be discarded, for example; let him discard twin 1 before cluing two 1s on chop: 1trashMulti 1lastOneNeeded) nor potential gain (like, you can wait with cluing nonchop 2s until you play last marked 1 - because maybe he get more useful 2s, although sometimes there is slight risk that he get double for 2 already held/played which would compromise clear clues), why wait?

[beri]

1. A color clue is always a play clue unless a) it hits a marked number card that should be discarded (for example on clued 1s) b) all cards of that color and multi are out (obviously) c) it is a delayed play clue (your partner knows he has a playable card of a specific color and he clues you the same color) - you should play after he plays

Other typical mistake: ignoring these very frequent cases where a color clue on chop is the best, if not the only, way to save a card (for example g2 x x 5 w4 g4 – with critical r4 and non-playable r2)
So color on chop can be a save (should be considered so before anything else, for safety’s sake).

And these other cases where there are multiple critical cards in the clued color, and a color clue may be the only/most efficient way to save two or more of these.