Is there a strategy?

[kgish]

I have been playing extensively for many many hours now. Yes, this game is quite addictive, for some reason. I was just wondering: is there really any strategy to this game or is it just pure luck?

When I say strategy, I don't mean all the superstitious stuff I have been reading on this forum, like starting at the top or bottom or whatever (which doesn't really have any sound proof to it, I believe).

Yes, I know that you have to line up three of the same gems in a row, etc. But there must be something more to it (I hope).

Maybe it's a combination of luck and strategy, I don't know. Who can explain to me what the strategy "really" is, if there is any strategy at all?

Thanks everyone in advance for thinking deeply about this one.

[Howard]

Now I take exception to being called superstitious ;)

I can claim to have an exceptional understanding of the Bejeweled game and strategy ;)

The easy game is predominantly luck. The timed game is again luck, but swayed by your ability to make matches quickly.

In both cases, making matches lower down causes more cascades. A cascade of 3 + 3 (10 pts + 20 pts) is worth more than two separate matches of 3 (10 pts + 10 pts). Cascades in timed mode count towards the bonus time you receive, and also towards reaching a higher bonus multiplier, so are quite critical.

Making matches in the central 6 columns is more likely to make cascades also.

I don't think there is a substantial difference between horizontal and vertical matches. Just as long as you make cascades as often as possible. (You start to see these in advance after a while.)

Howard.

[kgish]

Sorry Howard if I inadvertantly insulted you -- that was not my intention. It just seemed like hocus-pocus until you were so kind to explain the reasoning behind it.

[Howard]

Sorry Howard if I inadvertantly insulted you -- that was not my intention. It just seemed like hocus-pocus until you were so kind to explain the reasoning behind it.

No problem :)

There are some other strategies I recommend as well - mostly for timed games (where speed matters)

(*) Alternate between left hand side and right of the board where possible. As soon as you have made a match, look at the other side while the gems are cascading.

(*) Always slide between gems - it is faster than tap-lift-tap. ( If you're a heavy-presser, then consider a screen protector! )

(*) Cycle through the colours to look for matches. (It is too easy to focus on one or two of the brighter colours).

(*) Use the hint function (graffiti h) in timed mode to help you if there aren't any obvious. It costs you a couple of seconds of time, but may save you more than that. It also doesn't cost you anything within the last 5 seconds left, so it could give you that last reprieve!

(*) Switch to whichever gem set suits your eyes best. This may be different for timed than you like to use for easy.

(*) Practise using continuous mode. Learn how to build up a rhythm without worrying about time. Once you're able to keep the gems moving pretty much constantly, you'll be able to get scores of 40k+ on timed.

(*) On timed mode you get a full new gem board when you run out of moves - this means that the "easy mode" tactic of keeping a spare move somewhere is a bad thing. The full new gem set often will start off with some matches and cascades which can really help give you some bonus time.

(*) Practise playing with your PDA upside down, or held on the side. The different way the gems "fall" helps you to learn different ways to see future matches. If you get stuck for a match quickly tilting your PDA 45 degrees round will often show you some matches you couldn't see before.

(*) Alternate left and right match sweeps - if you can do this alongside alternating seeing matches on left or right, it can really help you keep the rhythm going.

(*) Don't play for more than 10 hours at a time. Take a five minute break after about 8 hours, before returning for another session.

(*) Play with the music on - but at a medium volume. I'm not going to tell you why this might help your game though :)

(*) Buy more Astraware games, and the positive karma, combined with the prayers of the dozen miniature Astraware monks (living off crisp crumbs under the developers' desks) who pray for your continued success, will help you to get better and better scores ;)

(*) Buy your partner a PDA and a copy of Bejeweled - its amazing just how much the competition between people for higher scores can help. (NB : Astraware is not responsible for any broken hands, PDAs, or marraiges as a result of inappropriate use of Bejeweled! )

Have fun!

Howard.