Tip 2: Technically VirtualBob's tip only applies to gunboats and, to some extent, anon games. If it's a normal press game there's no reason not to discuss it on the forum.

Tip 3: Don't play PPSC.

Unless the game is full press non anon, there should be no discussion on the forum.

Well there's really no rule against discussing anonymous games, just limited press ones. Though it is frowned upon.

"Well there's really no rule against discussing anonymous games, just limited press ones. Though it is frowned upon."

By whom and why is it frowned upon .... what's the problem?

jmo always wears a frown. He only smiles when he has his cursor on the "ban user" button.

It's considered poor sport to get outside help on a game that's ongoing. Many members have been quite vocal in expressing that they feel allowing any type of mentoring or influencing a game via forum discussions is unfair.

I personally don't care, and it's not a rule.

For anyone who thinks it is unfair to offer advice on ongoing games via the forum, I have the solution:

Join the thread yourself and contribute some *really* BAD advice. You'll feel better and the players involved might think twice about asking the peanut gallery for help next time.

Asking for specific advice is bad if for no other reason than your enemies will know you have no idea what's going on. If you have a specific question, you should ask in private. Forum should be reserved for general questions.

OP, wait until they get stabbed... and prepare to loose.

I'm not asking advice I'm asking for general idea of how people deal with similar problems. I didn't provide any details on my game even though it is a full press non anon. I am aware of the rules here. Now back to my OP how do people handle this usually? I have my strategy, give long detailed explanations of why X shouldn't ally with Y

And just realize that not everyone has common sense enough to stay out of a trap that you see but they don't.

This is a decent general discussion to have.

First, you can only go so far in explaining and being nice to get a player to come around. Maybe offer them something they really want for peace?

Second, on a more general question of how to avoid being hoodwinked, I'm curious what red flags people look for.

Generally, I worry about "too good to be true" offers, explanations that don't really add up, and players that are too demanding of knowing what I am doing specifically, unless we are planning a joint move set as allies. I know some people don't like positive yet vague answers ("sounds good!")

Bottom line, always analyze your ally's possible moves as if the were going to stab you each turn and make sure that your units are placed to defend against a stab. The harder it is to stab you, the less likely it is someone will stab you.

As

Are you asking for a guide not to be gullible for yourself or for others?

Now has anyone ever been caught in a situation where you are the gullible one. (When I was a noob I definitely got caught twice)

Here is an excellent video tutorial on "how not to be gullible":

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dQw4w9WgXcQ

CLICK NOW!

"any tips for gullible players?"

Yea. Play gunboats.

PE , both.

"jmo always wears a frown. He only smiles when he has his cursor on the "ban user" button."

Nah, I also smiled when I beat MadMarx and Babak in a game and broke the top 5 monthly GR a while back.

What does "gullible" mean? I tried to google a definition and can't find one. Is it French?

Easily persuaded to believe something

Bah-dumm tsshhh

I luv ya, man. We need to play a game together.

Funny. That was good +1s on that.

It's reassuring to know you caught that :)

I was worried there for a minute

Yea. Wish I caught it before I fell into the trap lol.