Tips lostcities - Revision history

Dymonika: Rewording + a bit more detail added

2026-02-12T19:17:40Z

Rewording + a bit more detail added

← Older revision		Revision as of 21:17, 12 February 2026
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	=== Discarding ===		=== Discarding ===
	* If you decide to bail on an expedition for which you have multiple cards, try to ~~bait~~ your opponent ~~into~~ taking ~~and playing your discarded cards in reverse order~~. For example, if you have a Green 4 and Green 5 and your opponent hasn't yet begun a Green expedition, consider discarding the 5 first; if your opponent takes it and ends up starting an expedition with it, then whatever you do with the 4 will be useless to your opponent.		* If you decide to bail on an expedition for which you have multiple cards, try to prevent your opponent from taking them all. For example, if you have a Green 4 and Green 5 and your opponent hasn't yet begun a Green expedition, consider discarding the 5 first; if your opponent takes it and ends up starting an expedition with it, then whatever you do with the 4 will be useless to your opponent.

	=== Pacing ===		=== Pacing ===
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	* Wager cards are typically worth playing if you also hold a color-matching card; you can decide on your threshold of risk based on what you have and what same-color cards have already been played. To score well in this game, you must invest substantially in a venture without knowing in advance whether you will draw matching expedition cards in the right order.		* Wager cards are typically worth playing if you also hold a color-matching card; you can decide on your threshold of risk based on what you have and what same-color cards have already been played. To score well in this game, you must invest substantially in a venture without knowing in advance whether you will draw matching expedition cards in the right order.
	* It's often more constructive to hold onto cards of a suit your opponent is trying to complete than to try to complete it yourself (at least until their expedition has surpassed your cards' values, so that they become unusable to your opponent if you later discard them).		* It's often more constructive to hold onto cards of a suit your opponent is trying to complete than to try to complete it yourself (at least until their expedition has surpassed your cards' values, so that they become unusable to your opponent if you later discard them).
	* ~~There is no need~~ to attempt all 5 expeditions; ~~usually~~ 4 ~~is sufficient (and~~ it's likely that one will score poorly, if not even negatively).		* It's risky to attempt all 5 expeditions as you may end up wasting more turns just to get back to net zero across more expeditions rather than scoring higher with fewer ones; even if you embark on 4 expeditions, it's likely that one will score poorly, if not even negatively.
	* Be willing to lose a small ~~amount~~ of points in non-wagered suits if it'd allow you to stall and continue drawing from the deck to massively boost wagered expeditions. Effective stalling, even if it results in significant gaps while you wait for the cards you really need, is the heart of this game.		* Be willing to lose a small number of points in non-wagered suits if it'd allow you to stall and continue drawing from the deck to massively boost wagered expeditions. Effective stalling, even if it results in significant gaps while you wait for the cards you really need, is the heart of this game.

Dymonika: Redundancy and potentially confusing lines removed (hopefully); additional tips and sections (for easier reading) added

2026-02-12T08:01:29Z

Redundancy and potentially confusing lines removed (hopefully); additional tips and sections (for easier reading) added

← Older revision		Revision as of 10:01, 12 February 2026
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	* - Read the rules		=== General ===
	** -- Do not forget about the 8 card rule~~, you score~~ a ~~lot for those.~~		* Remember the 8-card rule; expeditions packed with numerous cards add a whopping 20 points!
	* '''- Drawing from the deck is vital.''' Obviously, if a good card is available among the discards, or you need to delay the endgame, take a discarded card. But otherwise, take from the deck, because either it's a card that may benefit you, a card you can discard to buy time, or ~~the~~ card your opponent ~~is waiting for~~.		* '''Drawing from the deck is vital.''' Obviously, if a good card is available among the discards, or you need to delay the endgame, take a discarded card. But otherwise, take from the deck, because either it's a card that may benefit you, a card you can discard to buy time, or a card your opponent wants.
	* - Keep in mind that if you leave a large gap in a suit, this helps your opponent: if you play Blue 7 after Blue 3, this ~~means that~~ your opponent ~~may safely ditch~~ Blue 4, 5, 6. forcing them to ~~hang~~ on to cards ~~for~~ a ~~long duration is important~~.		* Keep in mind that if you leave a large gap in a suit, this helps your opponent: if you play Blue 7 after Blue 3, this helps your opponent gauge better what to do with Blue 4, 5, or 6; concealing that information and forcing them into indecision is important.
	* - Keep track of how many turns are left in the round by looking at the X ___ counter below the draw pile. Keep in mind that this number is for both players, so if it ~~has~~ X10 that means you have 5 more turns. Make sure ~~you have laid~~ all ~~the~~ cards ~~down that you can~~ before the deck is empty and a new round is triggered.
	* - ~~This is a game of push your "calculated" luck. Push your luck when behind a lot in points or potential points or if~~ you ~~are behind in skill~~.		=== Discarding ===
	** -~~- If~~ you have ~~handshake~~ cards ~~at the beginning and even one card in that suit, play the handshake and hope to draw more in the suit~~. To score well in this game you must invest substantially in a venture, without knowing in advance ~~that~~ you will draw ~~the right~~ cards in the right order. It is ~~better~~ to ~~have some suits that take a loss (which you~~ try to ~~minimize)~~ so that you ~~can focus on making other suits pay off~~.--		* If you decide to bail on an expedition for which you have multiple cards, try to bait your opponent into taking and playing your discarded cards in reverse order. For example, if you have a Green 4 and Green 5 and your opponent hasn't yet begun a Green expedition, consider discarding the 5 first; if your opponent takes it and ends up starting an expedition with it, then whatever you do with the 4 will be useless to your opponent.
	** -- There is no need to attempt all 5 expeditions; usually 4 is sufficient (and it's likely one will score poorly or negatively).
	** -- It's often more constructive to hold on to a suit your opponent is trying to complete than to try completing it yourself!		=== Pacing ===
	** -- Do not be afraid to lose a small amount of points in ~~a suit~~ if it ~~allows~~ you to stall and continue drawing from the deck. Effective stalling (while you wait for the cards you really need) is the heart of this game.		* Keep track of how many turns are left in the round by looking at the X ___ counter below the draw pile. Keep in mind that this number is for both players, so if it shows X10, that means you only have 5 more turns. Make sure to play all beneficial cards before the deck is empty and a new round is triggered.
	** -- Higher ranking players have more negative and positive expeditions.		* Try to position your deck-drawing so that you pull the final card, which makes the other player's last-drawn card unplayable.

			=== Wagering and Score Management ===
			* Wager cards are typically worth playing if you also hold a color-matching card; you can decide on your threshold of risk based on what you have and what same-color cards have already been played. To score well in this game, you must invest substantially in a venture without knowing in advance whether you will draw matching expedition cards in the right order.
			* It's often more constructive to hold onto cards of a suit your opponent is trying to complete than to try to complete it yourself (at least until their expedition has surpassed your cards' values, so that they become unusable to your opponent if you later discard them).
			* There is no need to attempt all 5 expeditions; usually 4 is sufficient (and it's likely that one will score poorly, if not even negatively).
			* Be willing to lose a small amount of points in non-wagered suits if it'd allow you to stall and continue drawing from the deck to massively boost wagered expeditions. Effective stalling, even if it results in significant gaps while you wait for the cards you really need, is the heart of this game.

TesujiOrc: Inserted dashes since lists do not work on BGA

2025-08-13T10:16:37Z

Inserted dashes since lists do not work on BGA

← Older revision		Revision as of 12:16, 13 August 2025
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	# Read the rules		* - Read the rules
	#* Do not forget about the 8 card rule, you score a lot for those.		** -- Do not forget about the 8 card rule, you score a lot for those.
	# '''Drawing from the deck is vital.''' Obviously, if a good card is available among the discards, or you need to delay the endgame, take a discarded card. But otherwise, take from the deck, because either it's a card that may benefit you, a card you can discard to buy time, or the card your opponent is waiting for.		* '''- Drawing from the deck is vital.''' Obviously, if a good card is available among the discards, or you need to delay the endgame, take a discarded card. But otherwise, take from the deck, because either it's a card that may benefit you, a card you can discard to buy time, or the card your opponent is waiting for.
	# Keep in mind that if you leave a large gap in a suit, this helps your opponent: if you play Blue 7 after Blue 3, this means that your opponent may safely ditch Blue 4, 5, 6. forcing them to hang on to cards for a long duration is important.		* - Keep in mind that if you leave a large gap in a suit, this helps your opponent: if you play Blue 7 after Blue 3, this means that your opponent may safely ditch Blue 4, 5, 6. forcing them to hang on to cards for a long duration is important.
	# Keep track of how many turns are left in the round by looking at the X ___ counter below the draw pile. Keep in mind that this number is for both players, so if it has X10 that means you have 5 more turns. Make sure you have laid all the cards down that you can before the deck is empty and a new round is triggered.		* - Keep track of how many turns are left in the round by looking at the X ___ counter below the draw pile. Keep in mind that this number is for both players, so if it has X10 that means you have 5 more turns. Make sure you have laid all the cards down that you can before the deck is empty and a new round is triggered.
	# This is a game of push your "calculated" luck. Push your luck when behind a lot in points or potential points or if you are behind in skill.		* - This is a game of push your "calculated" luck. Push your luck when behind a lot in points or potential points or if you are behind in skill.
	#* If you have handshake cards at the beginning and even one card in that suit, play the handshake and hope to draw more in the suit. To score well in this game you must invest substantially in a venture, without knowing in advance that you will draw the right cards in the right order. It is better to have some suits that take a loss (which you try to minimize) so that you can focus on making other suits pay off.		** -- If you have handshake cards at the beginning and even one card in that suit, play the handshake and hope to draw more in the suit. To score well in this game you must invest substantially in a venture, without knowing in advance that you will draw the right cards in the right order. It is better to have some suits that take a loss (which you try to minimize) so that you can focus on making other suits pay off.--
	#* There is no need to attempt all 5 expeditions; usually 4 is sufficient (and it's likely one will score poorly or negatively).		** -- There is no need to attempt all 5 expeditions; usually 4 is sufficient (and it's likely one will score poorly or negatively).
	#* It's often more constructive to hold on to a suit your opponent is trying to complete than to try completing it yourself!		** -- It's often more constructive to hold on to a suit your opponent is trying to complete than to try completing it yourself!
	#* Do not be afraid to lose a small amount of points in a suit if it allows you to stall and continue drawing from the deck. Effective stalling (while you wait for the cards you really need) is the heart of this game.		** -- Do not be afraid to lose a small amount of points in a suit if it allows you to stall and continue drawing from the deck. Effective stalling (while you wait for the cards you really need) is the heart of this game.
	#* Higher ranking players have more negative and positive expeditions.		** -- Higher ranking players have more negative and positive expeditions.

TesujiOrc: Tried numbers vs dots. Added a tip

2025-08-02T11:13:23Z

Tried numbers vs dots. Added a tip

← Older revision		Revision as of 13:13, 2 August 2025
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	* Read the rules		# Read the rules
	** Do not forget about the 8 card rule, you score a lot for those.		#* Do not forget about the 8 card rule, you score a lot for those.
	* '''Drawing from the deck is vital.''' Obviously, if a good card is available among the discards, or you need to delay the endgame, take a discarded card. But otherwise, take from the deck, because either it's a card that may benefit you, a card you can discard to buy time, or the card your opponent is waiting for.		# '''Drawing from the deck is vital.''' Obviously, if a good card is available among the discards, or you need to delay the endgame, take a discarded card. But otherwise, take from the deck, because either it's a card that may benefit you, a card you can discard to buy time, or the card your opponent is waiting for.
	* Keep in mind that if you leave a large gap in a suit, this helps your opponent: if you play Blue 7 after Blue 3, this means that your opponent may safely ditch Blue 4, 5, 6. forcing them to hang on to cards for a long duration is important.		# Keep in mind that if you leave a large gap in a suit, this helps your opponent: if you play Blue 7 after Blue 3, this means that your opponent may safely ditch Blue 4, 5, 6. forcing them to hang on to cards for a long duration is important.
	* Keep track of how many turns are left in the round by looking at the X ___ counter below the draw pile. Keep in mind that this number is for both players, so if it has X10 that means you have 5 more turns. Make sure you have laid all the cards down that you can before the deck is empty and a new round is triggered.		# Keep track of how many turns are left in the round by looking at the X ___ counter below the draw pile. Keep in mind that this number is for both players, so if it has X10 that means you have 5 more turns. Make sure you have laid all the cards down that you can before the deck is empty and a new round is triggered.
	* This is a game of push your "calculated" luck. Push your luck when behind a lot in points or potential points or if you are behind in skill.		# This is a game of push your "calculated" luck. Push your luck when behind a lot in points or potential points or if you are behind in skill.
	** If you have handshake cards at the beginning and even one card in that suit, play the handshake and hope to draw more in the suit. To score well in this game you must invest substantially in a venture, without knowing in advance that you will draw the right cards in the right order. It is better to have some suits that take a loss (which you try to minimize) so that you can focus on making other suits pay off.		#* If you have handshake cards at the beginning and even one card in that suit, play the handshake and hope to draw more in the suit. To score well in this game you must invest substantially in a venture, without knowing in advance that you will draw the right cards in the right order. It is better to have some suits that take a loss (which you try to minimize) so that you can focus on making other suits pay off.
	** There is no need to attempt all 5 expeditions; usually 4 is sufficient (and it's likely one will score poorly or negatively).		#* There is no need to attempt all 5 expeditions; usually 4 is sufficient (and it's likely one will score poorly or negatively).
	** It's often more constructive to hold on to a suit your opponent is trying to complete than to try completing it yourself!		#* It's often more constructive to hold on to a suit your opponent is trying to complete than to try completing it yourself!
	** Do not be afraid to lose a small amount of points in a suit if it allows you to stall and continue drawing from the deck. Effective stalling (while you wait for the cards you really need) is the heart of this game.		#* Do not be afraid to lose a small amount of points in a suit if it allows you to stall and continue drawing from the deck. Effective stalling (while you wait for the cards you really need) is the heart of this game.
			#* Higher ranking players have more negative and positive expeditions.

TesujiOrc: Removed rules from strategy guide. Removed tip about starting only 2 or 3 expeditions. Started adding some structure to the tips.

2025-07-31T12:32:12Z

Removed rules from strategy guide. Removed tip about starting only 2 or 3 expeditions. Started adding some structure to the tips.

← Older revision		Revision as of 14:32, 31 July 2025
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	~~This~~ is ~~a game of push your luck~~. ~~Starting~~ a ~~colour commits~~ you to ~~achieving 20 points (out of~~ the ~~available 55 points)~~. If you ~~don't score 20 points~~, the ~~balance will be deducted~~.		* Read the rules
			** Do not forget about the 8 card rule, you score a lot for those.
	~~There are three 'wager' cards per colour suite. Everything~~ you ~~score over 20 is profit x the wager cards~~ in play. ~~If you don't reach 20 points you will incur~~ a ~~deduction multiplied by~~ how many ~~wager cards~~ are in ~~play~~ for that ~~colour~~.		* '''Drawing from the deck is vital.''' Obviously, if a good card is available among the discards, or you need to delay the endgame, take a discarded card. But otherwise, take from the deck, because either it's a card that may benefit you, a card you can discard to buy time, or the card your opponent is waiting for.
			* Keep in mind that if you leave a large gap in a suit, this helps your opponent: if you play Blue 7 after Blue 3, this means that your opponent may safely ditch Blue 4, 5, 6. forcing them to hang on to cards for a long duration is important.
	This ~~means if there~~ is ~~one wager card and you lay cards worth 30~~ points you ~~will score 20 points (10 for the base colour + 10 for wager card)~~.		* Keep track of how many turns are left in the round by looking at the X ___ counter below the draw pile. Keep in mind that this number is for both players, so if it has X10 that means you have 5 more turns. Make sure you have laid all the cards down that you can before the deck is empty and a new round is triggered.
			* This is a game of push your "calculated" luck. Push your luck when behind a lot in points or potential points or if you are behind in skill.
			** If you have handshake cards at the beginning and even one card in that suit, play the handshake and hope to draw more in the suit. To score well in this game you must invest substantially in a venture, without knowing in advance that you will draw the right cards in the right order. It is better to have some suits that take a loss (which you try to minimize) so that you can focus on making other suits pay off.
	If you have handshake cards at the beginning and even one card in that suit, play the handshake and hope to draw more in the suit. To score well in this game you must invest substantially in a venture, without knowing in advance that you will draw the right cards in the right order. It is better to have some suits that take a loss (which you try to minimize) so that you can focus on making other suits pay off.		** There is no need to attempt all 5 expeditions; usually 4 is sufficient (and it's likely one will score poorly or negatively).
			** It's often more constructive to hold on to a suit your opponent is trying to complete than to try completing it yourself!
	There is no need to attempt all 5 expeditions; usually 4 is sufficient (and it's likely one will score poorly or negatively). ~~Focus on building 2-3 colors.~~		** Do not be afraid to lose a small amount of points in a suit if it allows you to stall and continue drawing from the deck. Effective stalling (while you wait for the cards you really need) is the heart of this game.

	'''Drawing from the deck is vital.''' Obviously, if a good card is available among the discards, or you need to delay the endgame, take a discarded card. But otherwise, take from the deck, because either it's a card that may benefit you, a card you can discard to buy time, or the card your opponent is waiting for.

	It's often more constructive to hold on to a suit your opponent is trying to complete than to try completing it yourself!

	Do not be afraid to lose a small amount of points in a suit if it allows you to stall and continue drawing from the deck. Effective stalling (while you wait for the cards you really need) is the heart of this game.

	Keep in mind that if you leave a large gap in a suit, this helps your opponent: if you play Blue 7 after Blue 3, this means that your opponent may safely ditch Blue 4, 5, 6. Forcing them to hang on to cards for a long duration is important.

	Keep track of how many turns are left in the round by looking at the X ___ counter below the draw pile. Keep in mind that this number is for both players, so if it has X10 that means you have 5 more turns. Make sure you have laid all the cards down that you can before the deck is empty and a new round is triggered.

C4jo: Added more tips.

2025-06-02T16:27:33Z

Added more tips.

← Older revision		Revision as of 18:27, 2 June 2025
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	If you have handshake cards at the beginning and even one card in that suit, play the handshake and hope to draw more in the suit. To score well in this game you must invest substantially in a venture, without knowing in advance that you will draw the right cards in the right order. It is better to have some suits that take a loss (which you try to minimize) so that you can focus on making other suits pay off.		If you have handshake cards at the beginning and even one card in that suit, play the handshake and hope to draw more in the suit. To score well in this game you must invest substantially in a venture, without knowing in advance that you will draw the right cards in the right order. It is better to have some suits that take a loss (which you try to minimize) so that you can focus on making other suits pay off.

	There is no need to attempt all 5 expeditions; usually 4 is sufficient (and it's likely one will score poorly or negatively).		There is no need to attempt all 5 expeditions; usually 4 is sufficient (and it's likely one will score poorly or negatively). Focus on building 2-3 colors.

	'''Drawing from the deck is vital.''' Obviously, if a good card is available among the discards, or you need to delay the endgame, take a discarded card. But otherwise, take from the deck, because either it's a card that may benefit you, a card you can discard to buy time, or the card your opponent is waiting for.		'''Drawing from the deck is vital.''' Obviously, if a good card is available among the discards, or you need to delay the endgame, take a discarded card. But otherwise, take from the deck, because either it's a card that may benefit you, a card you can discard to buy time, or the card your opponent is waiting for.
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	Keep in mind that if you leave a large gap in a suit, this helps your opponent: if you play Blue 7 after Blue 3, this means that your opponent may safely ditch Blue 4, 5, 6. Forcing them to hang on to cards for a long duration is important.		Keep in mind that if you leave a large gap in a suit, this helps your opponent: if you play Blue 7 after Blue 3, this means that your opponent may safely ditch Blue 4, 5, 6. Forcing them to hang on to cards for a long duration is important.

			Keep track of how many turns are left in the round by looking at the X ___ counter below the draw pile. Keep in mind that this number is for both players, so if it has X10 that means you have 5 more turns. Make sure you have laid all the cards down that you can before the deck is empty and a new round is triggered.

23Metime: Explaing the strategy in a different way to what's here already

2024-08-09T06:20:40Z

Explaing the strategy in a different way to what's here already

← Older revision		Revision as of 08:20, 9 August 2024
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			This is a game of push your luck. Starting a colour commits you to achieving 20 points (out of the available 55 points). If you don't score 20 points, the balance will be deducted.

			There are three 'wager' cards per colour suite. Everything you score over 20 is profit x the wager cards in play. If you don't reach 20 points you will incur a deduction multiplied by how many wager cards are in play for that colour.

			This means if there is one wager card and you lay cards worth 30 points you will score 20 points (10 for the base colour + 10 for wager card).


	If you have handshake cards at the beginning and even one card in that suit, play the handshake and hope to draw more in the suit. To score well in this game you must invest substantially in a venture, without knowing in advance that you will draw the right cards in the right order. It is better to have some suits that take a loss (which you try to minimize) so that you can focus on making other suits pay off.		If you have handshake cards at the beginning and even one card in that suit, play the handshake and hope to draw more in the suit. To score well in this game you must invest substantially in a venture, without knowing in advance that you will draw the right cards in the right order. It is better to have some suits that take a loss (which you try to minimize) so that you can focus on making other suits pay off.

Nandblock at 06:48, 14 February 2019

2019-02-14T06:48:23Z

← Older revision		Revision as of 08:48, 14 February 2019
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	~~'''Do not attempt all 5 expeditions: only embark on 3 or 4.''' This is~~ the ~~most important thing~~ to ~~keep~~ in ~~mind~~ in ~~Lost Cities!~~		If you have handshake cards at the beginning and even one card in that suit, play the handshake and hope to draw more in the suit. To score well in this game you must invest substantially in a venture, without knowing in advance that you will draw the right cards in the right order. It is better to have some suits that take a loss (which you try to minimize) so that you can focus on making other suits pay off.

	~~'''Drawing from the deck is vital.''' Obviously, if a good card~~ is ~~available among the discards, or you~~ need to ~~delay the endgame, take a discarded card. But otherwise, always take from the deck, because either~~ it's ~~a card that may benefit you, a card you can discard to buy time,~~ or ~~(best of all!~~) ~~the card your opponent is waiting for~~.		There is no need to attempt all 5 expeditions; usually 4 is sufficient (and it's likely one will score poorly or negatively).

	If you ~~have just one~~ card ~~in a suit in your opening hand~~, ~~especially if~~ it is a ~~handshake or low~~ card, ~~and have no immediate good move,~~ discard it to buy time~~. If it becomes valuable later on~~, ~~you may still be able to snag it; even if~~ your opponent ~~takes it, that leaves them with the not inconsiderable problem of filling out that suit (and you can proceed to hoard any cards in that suit that you acquire later)~~.		'''Drawing from the deck is vital.''' Obviously, if a good card is available among the discards, or you need to delay the endgame, take a discarded card. But otherwise, take from the deck, because either it's a card that may benefit you, a card you can discard to buy time, or the card your opponent is waiting for.

	It's often more constructive to hold on to a suit your opponent is trying to complete than to try completing it yourself!		It's often more constructive to hold on to a suit your opponent is trying to complete than to try completing it yourself!

	Do not be afraid to lose a small amount of points in a suit if it allows you to stall and continue drawing from the deck. Effective stalling (while you wait for the cards you really need) is the heart of this game.		Do not be afraid to lose a small amount of points in a suit if it allows you to stall and continue drawing from the deck. Effective stalling (while you wait for the cards you really need) is the heart of this game.

			Keep in mind that if you leave a large gap in a suit, this helps your opponent: if you play Blue 7 after Blue 3, this means that your opponent may safely ditch Blue 4, 5, 6. Forcing them to hang on to cards for a long duration is important.

Nandblock: Created page with "'''Do not attempt all 5 expeditions: only embark on 3 or 4.''' This is the most important thing to keep in mind in Lost Cities! '''Drawing from the deck is vital.''' Obviousl..."

2016-12-24T06:55:40Z

Created page with "'''Do not attempt all 5 expeditions: only embark on 3 or 4.''' This is the most important thing to keep in mind in Lost Cities! '''Drawing from the deck is vital.''' Obviousl..."

New page

'''Do not attempt all 5 expeditions: only embark on 3 or 4.''' This is the most important thing to keep in mind in Lost Cities!

'''Drawing from the deck is vital.''' Obviously, if a good card is available among the discards, or you need to delay the endgame, take a discarded card. But otherwise, always take from the deck, because either it's a card that may benefit you, a card you can discard to buy time, or (best of all!) the card your opponent is waiting for.

If you have just one card in a suit in your opening hand, especially if it is a handshake or low card, and have no immediate good move, discard it to buy time. If it becomes valuable later on, you may still be able to snag it; even if your opponent takes it, that leaves them with the not inconsiderable problem of filling out that suit (and you can proceed to hoard any cards in that suit that you acquire later).

It's often more constructive to hold on to a suit your opponent is trying to complete than to try completing it yourself!

Do not be afraid to lose a small amount of points in a suit if it allows you to stall and continue drawing from the deck. Effective stalling (while you wait for the cards you really need) is the heart of this game.