Tips niagara - Revision history

Geoffmacknish: /* Advanced Niagara strategy */

2025-08-01T21:41:54Z

Advanced Niagara strategy

Geoffmacknish: /* Basic strategy / / Advanced strategy */

2025-08-01T21:20:11Z

Basic strategy: Advanced strategy

← Older revision		Revision as of 23:20, 1 August 2025
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	* If an opponent is carrying a gem they don’t need for their victory, don’t steal it from them as it only makes their job easier.		* If an opponent is carrying a gem they don’t need for their victory, don’t steal it from them as it only makes their job easier.
	** ''Unless you need it yourself!''		** ''Unless you need it yourself!''



			== Advanced Niagara strategy ==

			=== What are the best opening moves? ===

			* are there some which are better or worse than others?
			* what are the worst opening moves to be avoided?
			* playing too high a paddle number will likely lose you a boat on the first turn of the game!

			=== The quickest path to victory ===

			* The cheaper gems must be attacked hard
			* You will either win with them or, at the very least, stop an opponent from doing so
			* This is the quickest path to victory.

			=== What are your opponents' best moves? ===

			* What are they likely to play?
			* Can you position your boats to take advantage of this?
			* For example, if they are likely to land on a particular space, is it worth aiming to land on that space to steal from them?

			=== Cloud management ===

			* You will mostly play your cloud when both your boats are out of the water and safe.
			* Mostly, you will make life more difficult for you opponents by making the river go faster.
			* However, sometimes it is more strategic to slow it down.
			* For example, with a boat starting out of the river, an opponent can easily get out their last white gem by playing a 1 and then a 6 if you maximise the weather impact to +2.
			* Instead, why not make them work for their victory?

			=== General strategy ===

			* You don't have to pick up a gem every time it is possible to do so.
			* Consider moving your boats to a better position for next turn.
			* You may be able to steal from opponent, or at least threaten to do so, thereby putting pressure on their choices.
			* You could position yourself to get gems of the colours that fit better with your current strategy - either completing your own set of gems or obstructing an opponent from getting the gem they need.
			* It pays to have an overall view of the game, not just your own little part of it.
			* What are your opponents trying to do? which gems are they trying to get? can they steal from you?
			* Always be aware of which player is in the strongest position, closest to winning the game. If it is you, then finish it as quickly as you can or someone may find a way to stop you.

			=== Defending your gems ===

			* How do you defend against an opponent who is moving after you and could steal from you?
			* For a start, you could aim to avoid landing on such a dangerous space.
			* You can work out temporarily "safe" spaces by seeing which numbers each opponent has already played and moving to those spaces so they cannot steal from your boat this turn.

			=== Working together ===

			* When someone is very close to winning, their opponents must work together to stop them.
			* Sometimes, this, too, is a bluff, as often you have to choose which opponent will win. but normally, you should if an opponent has an easy move to win, you should stop them whenever possible. if they can win in one turn and you can stop them, it is your responsibility to do so.
			* You could steal their gem, or take the gem they need, or speed up the river so they are not in reach of the finish.
			* Speeding up the river can be done by playing a cloud but also by playing a bigger number.
			* While self-sacrifice is an extreme measure, sometimes you have to sacrifice your own boat to stop an opposing player from winning.

			=== Remember the game end conditions ===

			* Remember, the game end is triggered by the game end conditions.
			* To win, you must be one of the players to meet these game end conditions.
			* It is no use having the most expensive gems unless you also trigger the end of the game yourself!
			* You must have 4 of the same gem, 5 different gems, or any 7 gems. Without this, you cannot win (although it would make an interesting variant - try it out face-to-face!)

			=== For additional enjoyment/challenges/fun ===

			* Try having alternate "fun" goals: see how many boats you can cause to go over the falls in a game! It is hilarious when it is not yours sailing through the air, but still very funny when it is yours! Of course, if this is everyone's goal, the game may never end!
			* Also try out the Niagara expansions ("Spirits of Niagara" and "Diamond Joe" - see boardgamegeek) when you are playing face-to-face. While these haven't been implemented on BGA yet and add a lot more randomness, they do add extra fun and complexity to the game, especially if you know the base game well.
			* For a challenge, try winning with 4 blues or 4 pink gems!
			* What is the theoretical maximum score in a game of Niagara on BGA? Can you achieve this score? (I believe it would be 3 blue gems and 5 pink gems, for a total of 37 points!) If you are trying such a feat, you would need to slow your opponents down or they will win easily with purple or white gems. to slow them down, you could systematically move all the cheap gems to the "pink" space beside the waterfall.

			=== Final words ===

			* Remember, Niagara is a game of bluff and double-bluff and flat-out running for the finish line.
			* Once you work out the best moves that work in each situation, you will realise that there are only a few to choose from and that your opponents know what these moves are too.
			* Which move will you make? Which move will they make? Can you out-guess your opponents' moves? Can you bluff them out of guessing your next move? :)

			== Happy boating! :) ==

Sammy McSam: Gamehelpniagara link, formatting

2021-12-26T12:18:22Z

Gamehelpniagara link, formatting

← Older revision		Revision as of 14:18, 26 December 2021
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	~~'''Niagara basic strategy tips'''~~		For the rules of niagara, see <b>[[Gamehelpniagara\|GameHelpNiagara]]</b>

	~~1. Don’t fall over the falls!~~		== Basic strategy ==
	~~It is hard to recover from this as you lose a boat and can~~
	~~only get it back by paying a gem.~~
	~~If you do lose a boat be careful about when you pay to get it back.~~
	~~Remember that you can only bring one boat back in at a time.~~
	~~You don’t want to give the last vital gem to an opponent.~~

	~~2. Play your small numbers early~~		=== Don’t fall over the falls! ===
	~~This will keep some large numbers in reserve so you can either~~
	~~get a gem out or at least avoid plummetting~~ over the falls.

	~~3. Plan when~~ to ~~play your cloud~~		* It is hard to recover from this as you lose a boat and you can only get it back by paying a gem.
	~~Don’t be forced to play it when~~ you ~~really need to move~~		* If you do lose a boat be careful about when you pay to get it back.
	~~upstream to avoid going over the falls.~~		* Remember that you can only bring one boat back in at a time.
	~~It is embarrassing~~ and ~~will cost~~ you a ~~boat~~.		* You don’t want to give the last vital gem to an opponent.
	~~Reduce river speed for~~ a ~~faster game~~
	~~- a good strategy~~ when you ~~are in front~~.
	~~Increase river speed for a slower game~~
	- a ~~good strategy when you are behind~~.
	~~This will~~ give ~~you and other players more opportunities~~
	to ~~steal gems from the leaders~~.

	~~4. Steal gems whenever possible~~		=== Play your small numbers early ===
	~~Unless that sets up~~ your ~~opponent to~~
	~~get the gem they need to win.~~
	~~The less gems your opponents have,~~
	~~the more work they need to do to win.~~

	~~5. Corollory to stealing when possible is to~~		* This will keep some large numbers in reserve so you can either:
	~~avoid being stolen from whenever possible.~~		** Get a gem out or
	~~If your opponents have used all~~ numbers ~~required to land~~		** at least avoid plummeting over the falls.
	on a ~~particular space this turn,~~
	~~then treat that space as a safe place for this turn only~~.

	~~6. Remember ALL your opponents’ numbers played~~		=== Plan when to play your cloud ===
	~~This is your key~~ to ~~developing a winning strategy.~~
	~~Without this information, you are just guessing and hoping.~~
	~~Be informed. Don’t~~ play ~~randomly.~~

	7. Defend against sudden victories by your opponents		* Don’t be forced to play it when you really need to move upstream to avoid going over the falls.
	You need to keep in mind all possible victory conditions		** It is embarrassing and will cost you a boat!
	and make sure no opponent		* When you are in front, '''reduce''' the river speed.
	is getting close to one of them.		** This ''speeds up'' the game
	Reduce the number of purple or white gems available		* When you are behind, '''increase''' the river speed.
	if an opponent is going for one of these.		** This ''slows'' the game
	They only need four of the same gem,		* This will give you and other players more opportunities to steal gems from the leaders.
	so don’t wait until they have their third or
	fourth gem loaded on a boat.		=== Steal gems whenever possible ===
	Remove the possibility of someone else getting four gems
	by getting that gem too.		* Unless that sets up your opponent to get the gem they need to win.
	All opponents should work together to stop the leaders winning.		* The fewer gems your opponents has, the more work they need to do to win.
	If an opponent is carrying a gem they don’t need for their victory,
	don’t steal it from them ~~(unless you need~~ it ~~yourself!).~~		=== Avoid being stolen from whenever possible ===
	It only makes their job easier.
			* If your opponents have used all numbers required to land on a particular space this turn, then treat that space as a safe place for this turn only.

			=== Remember '''all''' your opponents’ numbers played ===

			* This is your key to developing a winning strategy.
			* Without this information, you are just guessing and hoping.
			* Be informed, don’t play randomly.

			=== Defend against sudden victories by your opponents ===

			* You need to keep in mind all possible victory conditions and make sure no opponent is getting close to one of them.
			* Reduce the number of purple or white gems available if an opponent is going for one of these.
			* They only need four of the same gem, so don’t wait until they have their third or fourth gem loaded on a boat.
			* Remove the possibility of someone else getting four gems by getting that gem too.
			* All opponents should work together to stop the leaders winning.
			* If an opponent is carrying a gem they don’t need for their victory, don’t steal it from them as it only makes their job easier.
			** ''Unless you need it yourself!''

Geoffmacknish at 21:07, 2 September 2019

2019-09-02T21:07:40Z

← Older revision		Revision as of 23:07, 2 September 2019
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	1. Don’t fall over the falls!		1. Don’t fall over the falls!
	It is hard to recover from this as you lose a boat and can only get it back by		It is hard to recover from this as you lose a boat and can
	paying a gem.		only get it back by paying a gem.
	If you do lose a boat be careful about when you pay to get it back.		If you do lose a boat be careful about when you pay to get it back.
	Remember that you can only bring one boat back in at a time.		Remember that you can only bring one boat back in at a time.
Line 9:		Line 9:

	2. Play your small numbers early		2. Play your small numbers early
	This will keep some large numbers in reserve so you can either get a gem out or at least		This will keep some large numbers in reserve so you can either
	avoid plummetting over the falls.		get a gem out or at least avoid plummetting over the falls.

	3. Plan when to play your cloud		3. Plan when to play your cloud
	Don’t be forced to play it when you really need to move upstream to		Don’t be forced to play it when you really need to move
	avoid going over the falls.		upstream to avoid going over the falls.
	It is embarrassing and will cost you a boat.		It is embarrassing and will cost you a boat.
	Reduce river speed for a faster game - a good strategy when you are in front.		Reduce river speed for a faster game
	Increase river speed for a slower game - a good strategy when you are behind.		- a good strategy when you are in front.
	This will give you and other players more opportunities to steal gems from the leaders.		Increase river speed for a slower game
			- a good strategy when you are behind.
			This will give you and other players more opportunities
			to steal gems from the leaders.

	4. Steal gems whenever possible		4. Steal gems whenever possible
	Unless that sets up your opponent to get the gem they need to win.		Unless that sets up your opponent to
	The less gems your opponents have, the more work they need to do to win.		get the gem they need to win.
			The less gems your opponents have,
			the more work they need to do to win.

	5. Corollory to stealing when possible is to avoid being stolen from whenever possible.		5. Corollory to stealing when possible is to
	If your opponents have used all numbers required to land on a particular space this turn,		avoid being stolen from whenever possible.
			If your opponents have used all numbers required to land
			on a particular space this turn,
	then treat that space as a safe place for this turn only.		then treat that space as a safe place for this turn only.

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	7. Defend against sudden victories by your opponents		7. Defend against sudden victories by your opponents
	You need to keep in mind all possible victory conditions and make sure no opponent		You need to keep in mind all possible victory conditions
			and make sure no opponent
	is getting close to one of them.		is getting close to one of them.
	Reduce the number of purple or white gems available		Reduce the number of purple or white gems available
	if an opponent is going for one of these.		if an opponent is going for one of these.
	They only need four of the same gem, so don’t wait until they have their third or		They only need four of the same gem,
			so don’t wait until they have their third or
	fourth gem loaded on a boat.		fourth gem loaded on a boat.
	Remove the possibility of someone else getting four gems by getting that gem too.		Remove the possibility of someone else getting four gems
			by getting that gem too.
	All opponents should work together to stop the leaders winning.		All opponents should work together to stop the leaders winning.
	If an opponent is carrying a gem they don’t need for their victory,		If an opponent is carrying a gem they don’t need for their victory,
	don’t steal it from them (unless you need it yourself!).		don’t steal it from them (unless you need it yourself!).
	It only makes their job easier.		It only makes their job easier.

Geoffmacknish: Corrected formatting. Some characters were hidden past the end of the line.

2019-09-02T20:59:37Z

Corrected formatting. Some characters were hidden past the end of the line.

← Older revision		Revision as of 22:59, 2 September 2019
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	1. Don’t fall over the falls!		1. Don’t fall over the falls!
	It is hard to recover from this as you lose a boat and can only get it back by paying a gem.		It is hard to recover from this as you lose a boat and can only get it back by
			paying a gem.
	If you do lose a boat be careful about when you pay to get it back.		If you do lose a boat be careful about when you pay to get it back.
	Remember that you can only bring one boat back in at a time.		Remember that you can only bring one boat back in at a time.
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	3. Plan when to play your cloud		3. Plan when to play your cloud
	Don’t be forced to play it when you really need to move upstream to avoid going over the falls.		Don’t be forced to play it when you really need to move upstream to
			avoid going over the falls.
	It is embarrassing and will cost you a boat.		It is embarrassing and will cost you a boat.
	Reduce river speed for a faster game - a good strategy when you are in front.		Reduce river speed for a faster game - a good strategy when you are in front.
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	then treat that space as a safe place for this turn only.		then treat that space as a safe place for this turn only.

	6. Remember ALL your opponents’ numbers played ~~since the last refresh of the number tiles.~~		6. Remember ALL your opponents’ numbers played
	This is your key to developing a winning strategy.		This is your key to developing a winning strategy.
	Without this information, you are just guessing and hoping.		Without this information, you are just guessing and hoping.
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	You need to keep in mind all possible victory conditions and make sure no opponent		You need to keep in mind all possible victory conditions and make sure no opponent
	is getting close to one of them.		is getting close to one of them.
	Reduce the number of purple/white gems available if an opponent is going for one of these.		Reduce the number of purple or white gems available
	They only need four of the same gem, so don’t wait until they have their third or fourth gem		if an opponent is going for one of these.
	loaded on a boat.		They only need four of the same gem, so don’t wait until they have their third or
			fourth gem loaded on a boat.
	Remove the possibility of someone else getting four gems by getting that gem too.		Remove the possibility of someone else getting four gems by getting that gem too.
	All opponents should work together to stop the leaders winning.		All opponents should work together to stop the leaders winning.
	If an opponent is carrying a gem they don’t need for their victory,		If an opponent is carrying a gem they don’t need for their victory,
	don’t steal it from them (unless you need it yourself!). It only makes their job easier.		don’t steal it from them (unless you need it yourself!).
			It only makes their job easier.

Geoffmacknish: Formatting

2019-08-15T12:13:41Z

Formatting

← Older revision		Revision as of 14:13, 15 August 2019
Line 35:		Line 35:
	is getting close to one of them.		is getting close to one of them.
	Reduce the number of purple/white gems available if an opponent is going for one of these.		Reduce the number of purple/white gems available if an opponent is going for one of these.
	They only need four of the same gem, so don’t wait until they have their third or fourth gem loaded.		They only need four of the same gem, so don’t wait until they have their third or fourth gem
			loaded on a boat.
	Remove the possibility of someone else getting four gems by getting that gem too.		Remove the possibility of someone else getting four gems by getting that gem too.
	All opponents should work together to stop the leaders winning.		All opponents should work together to stop the leaders winning.
	If an opponent is carrying a gem they don’t need for their victory,		If an opponent is carrying a gem they don’t need for their victory,
	don’t steal it from them (unless you need it yourself!). It only makes their job easier.		don’t steal it from them (unless you need it yourself!). It only makes their job easier.

Geoffmacknish: Proofreading to fix minor typing errors

2019-08-15T12:11:41Z

Proofreading to fix minor typing errors

Geoffmacknish: Formatting corrections.

2019-08-15T09:32:21Z

Formatting corrections.

← Older revision		Revision as of 11:32, 15 August 2019
Line 3:		Line 3:
	1. Don’t fall over the falls!		1. Don’t fall over the falls!
	It is hard to recover from this as you lose a boat and can only get it back by paying a gem.		It is hard to recover from this as you lose a boat and can only get it back by paying a gem.
	If you do lose a boat be careful about when you pay to get it back. Remember that you can only bring one boat back in at a time. You don’t want to give the last vital gem to an opponent.		If you do lose a boat be careful about when you pay to get it back.
			Remember that you can only bring one boat back in at a time.
			You don’t want to give the last vital gem to an opponent.

	2. Play your small numbers early		2. Play your small numbers early
	This will keep some large numbers in reserve so you can either get a gem out or at least avoid plummetting over the falls.		This will keep some large numbers in reserve so you can either get a gem out or at least
			avoid plummetting over the falls.

	3. Plan when to play your cloud		3. Plan when to play your cloud
	Being forced to play it when you really need to move upstream to avoid going ~~ocer~~ the falls is embarrassing and will cost you a boat.		Being forced to play it when you really need to move upstream to avoid going over the falls.
			It is embarrassing and will cost you a boat.
	Reduce river speed for a faster game - a good strategy when you are in front.		Reduce river speed for a faster game - a good strategy when you are in front.
	Increase river speed for a slower game - a good strategy when you are behind. This will give you and other players more opportunities to steal gems from the leaders.		Increase river speed for a slower game - a good strategy when you are behind.
			This will give you and other players more opportunities to steal gems from the leaders.

	4. Steal gems whenever possible~~, unless~~ that sets up your opponent to get the gem they need to win.		4. Steal gems whenever possible
			Unless that sets up your opponent to get the gem they need to win.
	The less gems your opponents have, the more work they need to do to win.		The less gems your opponents have, the more work they need to do to win.

	5. Corollory to stealing when possible is to avoid being stolen from whenever possible.		5. Corollory to stealing when possible is to avoid being stolen from whenever possible.
	If you opponents have used all number required to land on a particular space this turn, then treatthat space as a safe place for this turn only.		If you opponents have used all number required to land on a particular space this turn,
			then treatthat space as a safe place for this turn only.

	6. Remember ALL your opponents numbers played since the last refresh of the number tiles.		6. Remember ALL your opponents numbers played since the last refresh of the number tiles.
	This is your key to developing a strategy. Without this information, you are just guessing and hoping. Be informed. Don’t play randomly.		This is your key to developing a strategy.
			Without this information, you are just guessing and hoping.
			Be informed. Don’t play randomly.

	7. Defend against sudden victories by your opponents		7. Defend against sudden victories by your opponents
	You need to keep in mind all possible victory conditions and make sure no opponent is getting close to one of them.		You need to keep in mind all possible victory conditions and make sure no opponent
			is getting close to one of them.
	Reduce the number of purple/white gems available if an opponent is going for one of these.		Reduce the number of purple/white gems available if an opponent is going for one of these.
	If an opponent is carrying a gem they don’t need for their victory, don’t steal it from them (unless you need it yourself!). It only makes their job easier.		If an opponent is carrying a gem they don’t need for their victory,
			don’t steal it from them (unless you need it yourself!). It only makes their job easier.

Geoffmacknish: Niagara basic strategy tips

2019-08-15T07:41:10Z

Niagara basic strategy tips

New page

'''Niagara basic strategy tips'''

1. Don’t fall over the falls!
It is hard to recover from this as you lose a boat and can only get it back by paying a gem.
If you do lose a boat be careful about when you pay to get it back. Remember that you can only bring one boat back in at a time. You don’t want to give the last vital gem to an opponent.

2. Play your small numbers early
This will keep some large numbers in reserve so you can either get a gem out or at least avoid plummetting over the falls.

3. Plan when to play your cloud
Being forced to play it when you really need to move upstream to avoid going ocer the falls is embarrassing and will cost you a boat.
Reduce river speed for a faster game - a good strategy when you are in front.
Increase river speed for a slower game - a good strategy when you are behind. This will give you and other players more opportunities to steal gems from the leaders.

4. Steal gems whenever possible, unless that sets up your opponent to get the gem they need to win.
The less gems your opponents have, the more work they need to do to win.

5. Corollory to stealing when possible is to avoid being stolen from whenever possible.
If you opponents have used all number required to land on a particular space this turn, then treatthat space as a safe place for this turn only.

6. Remember ALL your opponents numbers played since the last refresh of the number tiles.
This is your key to developing a strategy. Without this information, you are just guessing and hoping. Be informed. Don’t play randomly.

7. Defend against sudden victories by your opponents
You need to keep in mind all possible victory conditions and make sure no opponent is getting close to one of them.
Reduce the number of purple/white gems available if an opponent is going for one of these.
If an opponent is carrying a gem they don’t need for their victory, don’t steal it from them (unless you need it yourself!). It only makes their job easier.

← Older revision		Revision as of 23:41, 1 August 2025
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	=== What are the best opening moves? ===		=== What are the best opening moves? ===

	* ~~are~~ there some which are better or worse than others?		* Are there some which are better or worse than others?
	* ~~what~~ are the worst opening moves to be avoided?		* What are the worst opening moves to be avoided?
	* ~~playing~~ too high a paddle number will likely lose you a boat on the first turn of the game!		* Playing too high a paddle number will likely lose you a boat on the first turn of the game!

	=== The quickest path to victory ===		=== The quickest path to victory ===

	* The cheaper gems must be attacked hard		* The cheaper gems must be attacked hard.
	* You will either win with them or, at the very least, stop an opponent from doing so		* You will either win with them or, at the very least, stop an opponent from doing so.
	* This is the quickest path to victory.		* This is the quickest path to victory.

	=== What are your opponents' best moves? ===		=== What are your opponents' best moves? ===

	* What are they likely to play?		* What are they likely to play?
	* Can you position your boats to take advantage of this?		* Can you position your boats to take advantage of this?
	* For example, if they are likely to land on a particular space, is it worth aiming to land on that space to steal from them?		* For example, if they are likely to land on a particular space, is it worth aiming to land on that space to steal from them?
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	* You will mostly play your cloud when both your boats are out of the water and safe.		* You will mostly play your cloud when both your boats are out of the water and safe.
	* Mostly, you will make life more difficult for ~~you~~ opponents by making the river go faster.		* Mostly, you will make life more difficult for your opponents by making the river go faster.
	* However, sometimes it is more strategic to slow it down.		* However, sometimes it is more strategic to slow it down.
	* For example, with a boat starting out of the river, an opponent can easily get out their last white gem by playing a 1 and then a 6 if you ~~maximise~~ the weather impact to +2.		* For example, with a boat starting out of the river, an opponent can easily get out their last white gem by playing a 1 and then a 6 if you help them by maximising the weather impact to +2.
	* Instead, why not make them work for their victory?		* Instead, why not make them work for their victory?

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	* You don't have to pick up a gem every time it is possible to do so.		* You don't have to pick up a gem every time it is possible to do so.
	* Consider moving your boats to a better position for next turn.		* Consider moving your boats to a better position for next turn.
	* You may be able to steal from opponent, or at least threaten to do so, thereby putting pressure on their choices.		* You may be able to steal from an opponent, or at least threaten to do so, thereby putting pressure on their choices.
	* You could position yourself to get gems of the colours that fit better with your current strategy - either completing your own set of gems or obstructing an opponent from getting the gem they need.		* You could position yourself to get gems of the colours that fit better with your current strategy - either completing your own set of gems or obstructing an opponent from getting the gem they need.
	* It pays to have an overall view of the game, not just your own little part of it.		* It pays to have an overall view of the game, not just your own little part of it.
	* What are your opponents trying to do? ~~which~~ gems are they trying to get? ~~can~~ they steal from you?		* What are your opponents trying to do? Which gems are they trying to get? Can they steal from you? Can they steal from an opponent? What is their shortest path to victory?
	* Always be aware of which player is in the strongest position, closest to winning the game. If it is you, then finish it as quickly as you can or someone may find a way to stop you.		* Always be aware of which player is in the strongest position, closest to winning the game. If it is you, then finish it as quickly as you can! Or someone may find a way to stop you.

	=== Defending your gems ===		=== Defending your gems ===
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	* How do you defend against an opponent who is moving after you and could steal from you?		* How do you defend against an opponent who is moving after you and could steal from you?
	* For a start, you could aim to avoid landing on such a dangerous space.		* For a start, you could aim to avoid landing on such a dangerous space.
	* You can work out temporarily "safe" spaces by seeing which numbers each opponent has already played and moving to those spaces so they cannot steal from your boat this turn.		* You can work out temporarily "safe" spaces by seeing which numbers each opponent has already played and moving to those spaces they cannot reach so they cannot steal from your boat this turn.

	=== Working together ===		=== Working together ===

	* When someone is very close to winning, their opponents must work together to stop them.		* When someone is very close to winning, their opponents must work together to stop them.
	* Sometimes, this, too, is a bluff, as often you have to choose which opponent will win. ~~but~~ normally, ~~you should~~ if an opponent has an easy move to win, you should stop them whenever possible. if they can win in one turn and you can stop them, it is your responsibility to do so.		* Sometimes, this, too, is a bluff, as often you have to choose which opponent will win. But normally, if an opponent has an easy move to win, you should stop them whenever possible. If they can win in one turn and you can stop them, it is your responsibility to do so.
	* You could steal their gem, or ~~take~~ the gem they need, or speed up the river so they are not in reach of the finish.		* You could steal their gem, or pick up the gem they need, or speed up the river so they are not in reach of the finish.
	* Speeding up the river can be done by playing a cloud but also by playing a bigger number.		* Speeding up the river can be done by playing a cloud but also by playing a bigger movement number of your own.
	* While self-sacrifice is an extreme measure, sometimes you have to sacrifice your own boat to stop an opposing player from winning.		* While self-sacrifice is an extreme measure, sometimes you have to sacrifice your own boat to stop an opposing player from winning.

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	* To win, you must be one of the players to meet these game end conditions.		* To win, you must be one of the players to meet these game end conditions.
	* It is no use having the most expensive gems unless you also trigger the end of the game yourself!		* It is no use having the most expensive gems unless you also trigger the end of the game yourself!
	* You must have 4 of the same gem, 5 different gems, or any 7 gems. Without ~~this~~, you cannot win (although it would make an interesting variant - try it out face-to-face!)		* You must have 4 of the same gem, or 5 different gems, or any 7 gems. Without one of these, you cannot win (although it would make an interesting variant - try it out face-to-face!)

	=== For additional enjoyment/challenges/fun ===		=== For additional enjoyment/challenges/fun ===

	* Try having alternate "fun" goals: see how many boats you can cause to go over the falls in a game! It is hilarious when it is not yours sailing through the air, but still very funny when it is yours! Of course, if this is everyone's goal, the game may never end!		* Try having alternate "fun" goals: see how many boats you can cause to go over the falls in a game! It is hilarious when it is not yours sailing through the air, but still very funny when it is yours! Of course, if this is everyone's goal, the game may never end! (Note: This should only be done in a friendly game. It should never be done in a competition game since in competition it is reasonable to assume that all players are trying to win, not just messing around.)
	* Also try out the Niagara expansions ("Spirits of Niagara" and "Diamond Joe" - see boardgamegeek) when you are playing face-to-face. While these haven't been implemented on BGA yet and add a lot more randomness, they do add extra fun and complexity to the game, especially if you know the base game well.		* Also try out the Niagara expansions ("Spirits of Niagara" and "Diamond Joe" - see Niagara expansions on boardgamegeek.com) when you are playing face-to-face. While these haven't been implemented on BGA yet and add a lot more randomness, they do add extra fun and complexity to the game, especially if you know the base game well.
	* For a challenge, try winning with 4 blues or 4 pink gems!		* For a challenge, try winning with 4 blues or even 4 pink gems!
	* What is the theoretical maximum score in a game of Niagara on BGA? Can you achieve this score? (I believe it would be 3 blue gems and 5 pink gems, for a total of 37 points!) If you are trying such a feat, you would need to slow your opponents down or they will win easily with purple or white gems. to slow them down, you could systematically move all the cheap gems to the "pink" ~~space beside~~ the waterfall.		* What is the theoretical maximum score in a game of Niagara on BGA? Can you achieve this score? (I believe it would be 3 blue gems and 5 pink gems, for a total of 37 points!) If you are trying such a feat, you would need to slow your opponents down or they will win easily with purple or white gems. To slow them down, you could systematically move all the cheap gems to the "pink" or "blue" spaces nearest the waterfall.

	=== Final words ===		=== Final words ===

	* Remember, Niagara is a game of bluff and double-bluff and flat-out running for the finish line.		* Remember, Niagara is a game of bluff and double-bluff and flat-out running for the finish line.
	* Once you work out the best moves that work in each situation, you will realise that there are only a few to choose from and that your opponents know what these moves are too.		* Once you work out the best moves that work in each situation, you will realise that there are only a few to choose from and that your opponents know what these moves are too!
	* Which move will you make? Which move will they make? Can you out-guess your opponents' moves? Can you bluff them out of guessing your next move? :)		* Which move will you make?
			* Which move will they make?
			* Can you out-guess your opponents' moves?
			* Can you bluff them out of guessing your next move? :)

	== Happy boating! :) ==		== Happy boating! :) ==

← Older revision		Revision as of 14:11, 15 August 2019
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	3. Plan when to play your cloud		3. Plan when to play your cloud
	~~Being~~ forced to play it when you really need to move upstream to avoid going over the falls.		Don’t be forced to play it when you really need to move upstream to avoid going over the falls.
	It is embarrassing and will cost you a boat.		It is embarrassing and will cost you a boat.
	Reduce river speed for a faster game - a good strategy when you are in front.		Reduce river speed for a faster game - a good strategy when you are in front.
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	5. Corollory to stealing when possible is to avoid being stolen from whenever possible.		5. Corollory to stealing when possible is to avoid being stolen from whenever possible.
	If ~~you~~ opponents have used all ~~number~~ required to land on a particular space this turn,		If your opponents have used all numbers required to land on a particular space this turn,
	then ~~treatthat~~ space as a safe place for this turn only.		then treat that space as a safe place for this turn only.

	6. Remember ALL your ~~opponents~~ numbers played since the last refresh of the number tiles.		6. Remember ALL your opponents’ numbers played since the last refresh of the number tiles.
	This is your key to developing a strategy.		This is your key to developing a winning strategy.
	Without this information, you are just guessing and hoping.		Without this information, you are just guessing and hoping.
	Be informed. Don’t play randomly.		Be informed. Don’t play randomly.
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	is getting close to one of them.		is getting close to one of them.
	Reduce the number of purple/white gems available if an opponent is going for one of these.		Reduce the number of purple/white gems available if an opponent is going for one of these.
			They only need four of the same gem, so don’t wait until they have their third or fourth gem loaded.
			Remove the possibility of someone else getting four gems by getting that gem too.
			All opponents should work together to stop the leaders winning.
	If an opponent is carrying a gem they don’t need for their victory,		If an opponent is carrying a gem they don’t need for their victory,
	don’t steal it from them (unless you need it yourself!). It only makes their job easier.		don’t steal it from them (unless you need it yourself!). It only makes their job easier.