So, you want to start playing TripleChain but don't know where to start? Or, you just started playing TripleChain and want to get better? In either case, you have come to the right thread.
If you have not done so already, the first thing you should do is go to the TripleChain site
here and read the help section, including the instructions, walkthrough, and FAQ section.
The next step would be to play some normal games as an Anon (Anonymous player). Don't worry about how bad you do. The first games are a mess for everyone.
Once you have done that you can come back here and continue.
........................
Was that fun? I am not sure what your first games looked like, but if they were like mine they might have looked like this..
Notice in the example above how the numbers are "bunched" together, instead of "linked" together to get each chain in as many zones as possible? Notice how there are two 2s that are not connected? Those are two lost bonus points. Notice the two 1s that are touching? There goes another 2 bonus points. But, if your game looked like the above, you are not alone. We all started that way (well, most of us..lol)
So , what do the same numbers look like in a fairly well played game? See the next picture.
In the picture above you will notice that, unlike the first try, the scoring numbers are not "bunched" together. Rather, they are strung out in "chains" in an effort to get the three best chains in as may "zones" as possible.
Also note that those unconnected 2s in the first example are now connected. That is two extra bonus points. And those connected 1s in the first example....they are separated now. Two more bonus points.
So, the score in the first game is 10296 and the score in the 2nd game is 33840. And both games had the same numbers and came in the same sequence!!!!
So, where to from here? How can you learn to play better and enjoy the game more? Of course there is no magic recipe, but here is what I suggest:
1. Read the first post in this thread.
2. Play as many "normal" games as you can and try to get a handle for the best positions for the numbers.
Go ahead and register and get a handle. It is free and fun. Normal games are the games right in the middle of the TripleChain screen. Tournament Games, and Daily Challenge games are also "normal" games. You can only play those once you register.
3. Study some of the openings in post 5844 and 5845 in this thread.
There are nine racks of numbers in a TripleChain game. The first four racks are considered the "opening" racks. While a good opening will not guarantee a well played game, a poor opening will put you in a pretty tough spot. In this way TripleChain is similar to chess. Openings are very important.
Post 5844 provides basic information on the
Dynasty opening (invented by Dynasty, an excellent TripleChain player...). In post 5844 I should have included this link
here . It is a strategy post by Dynasty and is well worth reading when you are ready.
Post 5845 contains a variety of
Advanced or Advanced-like openings. The main Advanced opening was first introduced by TH10, also an excellent TripleChain player.
Also check out Gabe's post 33 in this thread. Post 33 details the
Charmer style opening. This opening was commonly used when the game started, though now the Dynasty and Advanced openings are used more often. But, the more you know about the dynamics of all openings, the better you will become.
Once you study openings, you will recognize which opening was used in the 2nd example above.
4. Review the games of other players and see how they played their game.
Observe how they construct and opening, and also how they position 1s and 2s. See if you can recognize what type of opening they are trying to construct, and what they did if the original plan did not work out. You can do this by going to the "Tournament" section and then going to the "Completed Games" section. If you open any tournament and then click on the score of a player's game, you can then replay the whole game.
This kind of learning (observational) can be helpful for some people, while practice (experiential learning) is more helpful for others. Consider the best way(s) you like to learn things as you try and improve. Perhaps you will learn better by practice and self-discovery, while another person would prefer to learn by reviewing how others play.
5. Don't be afraid to try the Daily Challenge or to sign-up for tournaments.
In the Daily Challenge all players get the same numbers, and once you have competed your game you can see how your score fared against everyone else. The next day you will be able to see exactly how each player played the game. You can replay anyone's games the next day. This can be a huge help in improving some basic errors in play. And, don't worry about playing bad or being last. First, you are new. Second, it is not uncommon for even the best players to finish last, so you will be in good company no matter how you play.
6. If you have the time, there are interesting gems and strategy discussions in this thread. But it is a long thread.....
7. Ask questions in this thread. The TripleChain community is pretty helpful..
8. Most important........Have fun!!!