Splendor Strategy from 2022

[@scottsaccenti]

I was the GM for Splendor at WSBG, and audited the Final. Was a really interesting game. As he says in the video, out of the second seat, Gray took an aggressive line. Basically, the opening flop was all Greens/Blues. So much so that someone asked "where these really shuffled" on the opening deal. The start player (Michael) stared at this for a long while, and then decided not to try it. I guess his thought was: there's just enough room for two players to try this line, but not enough room for either of those players to win, if that would happen. So Michael punted. Gray took the plunge, basically daring anyone else to be the Second Guy trying Green/Blue. Nobody. Ever. Did. And he had the best line all to himself from the start. Great game, great play by the champion.

[@boardgametotears]

Thank you so much for the additional information!

[@DuhLeeSinguh]

Great video, gunna use these tips to crush my fam at the table 😈

[@rayrobertson6739]

I've read conflicting strategy advice on so called "hate drafting" where you reserve a card to deny your opponent a chance to reserve said card. If I understand the champ in this video, he's saying this is NEVER a winning strategy. Am I understanding right? Trying to grasp Splendor at higher level play so my wife stops kicking my butt

[@blumousey]

In a 4-player game specifically - because you're only denying one player, maybe two, and wasting a turn vs the others. It's probably viable in 2-player play, maybe dubious/obscure in 3-player, in 4 player it's unlikely to be optimal.

[@johnriperti3127]

Why people use so loud and annoying music in their videos. It's difficult to understand and distracting.

[@boardgametotears]

Yeah I wish I hadn't had it so loud. I stopped using music in my latest videos. I may go back and fix these if I get a chance.

[@nimrod06]

I don't like the first advice. It's a gamble whether you can finish the T3, if your opponent is paying attention. Also, 5/20 of T3s are 7s, 5/20 is 73s, and 5/20 is 363. There is no rush in getting good T3s - random draw also leads to a high chance of getting a good T3 if you managed your reserved slots well. And your opponent can't really stop you from what you are doing since it is hidden. T2 that guarantees doability, and good T2 is also efficient in developing engine. Also, good T2 are more rare compared to good T3s. So reserving good T2 is my favorite strategy.