Best Piece of Diplomacy Advice

[Matticus13]

Dippers:

What is the best piece of advice you have for novice players look to make that *leap* into take their game to the next level?

An example might be: "Trust what the board is telling you, Grasshoppa. Good Diplomacy players can talk a lady in white gloves into buying a ketchup flavored popsicle." - Matticus13

What says you?

[President Eden]

People lie; pieces don't.

[Matticus13]

Dippers:

What is the best piece of advice you have for novice players looking to take their game to the next level?

An example might be: "Trust what the board is telling you, Grasshoppa. Good Diplomacy players can talk a lady in white gloves into buying a ketchup flavored popsicle." - Matticus13

What says you?

Corrected version. Apologies for my intoxicated English and any other mistakes due to a lack of sobriety.

[President Eden]

You made this thread just to show off your goofy turn of phrase, didn't you.

[Matticus13]

You made this thread just to show off your goofy turn of phrase, didn't you.

Caught me red-handed.

[hthefourth]

Don't be a jackass.

[Dejan0707]

March in spring, attack in fall.

[teccles]

Always put yourself in your rival's shoes. What are their goals? What do they believe? What do you want them to believe? If you understand them, you have a chance to predict them and persuade them.

[jasnah]

Amateurs see dots, pros see lines

[gimix]

if you've been stabbed, it's usually your fault, not the stabber's

[Octavious]

Everybody lies. The difference between the honest and dishonest sounding player is that the honest one is better at it.

[cdngooner]

1. Good players don't lie as much as this game has a reputation for. You must earn a reputation as someone who tells the truth 90% of the time, so you will be believed the other 10%.

2. Offer help at least as often as you ask for it.

3. Guess other's next moves by what their interests are, not what they are saying (because most players ignore Rule #1).

[Szpoti]

If the other players offer you something, try to figure out how they can benefit from that.

[David E. Cohen]

Play as hard as you can, as often as you can, against the very best opposition you can find.

[Octavious]

If you're my ally and fighting for your life I will definitely come to your aid. There's really no need to keep reminding me every couple of phases

[BobMcBob]

Never take full initiative on anything. Let other players hand some things to you on platters. It allows you to keep your intentions partially veiled and makes your opponents feel more willing and free and generous in doing something that was already necessary.

Trust me on this, I am a definitely very skilful diplomat and am not bad at this game at all.

[BobMcBob]

Also don't be afraid to be assertive when necessary. If your ally has a poorly thought out plan, or one that seems like it could leave you open to some sinister intentions, don't just go along with it. Openly reject the plan, although preferably not so openly that you post in in the global chat

[Octavious]

Important one for live games when being caught short can be the difference between a solo or a draw:

Have a slash before the clash

[Claesar]

Lastly, never take advice from a forum thread.

[Octavious]

Continuing the theme that humans are naturally inclined to perceive advice as profound wisdom and fundamentally trustworthy if it happens to rhyme...

When there's doubt, the knives come out