you can have a good hand you jus have to know how to play it right and not fuck yourself, and also you gotta know how to count whats out there, and PAY ATTENTION to what other players are playing off of. if you have 4 of one # and dood to your left hasn't played off of any that you layed you know he doesn't have any of that # and you can go to the next guy to see if he has any and so on, process of elimination to know who is holding what, or at least have a good idea. then when you start lockin down a few corners you can pick who you want to let play (controlling the board) which will help you get the dominoe, or hold it if you have it. best tip i can give is NOT ALL MONEY IS GOOD MONEY!! if you have the choice to score 10 or cut down 2 or 3 corners and give the person with the bone less options to play off of, go with the defense. and like dood was sayin up there, don't slap that double 5 down as spinner for your cheap ass 10 if you have a double 3 and 3 other 3's, play the double 3