Forget racism and communalism. There seems to be little literature around for the man who is not afraid to be serious about the trivial. In today's 'Useful tips for Us Useless doin Useless Things' we focus on the 'Jawbreaker' game (and it's variants, BubbleBreaker, Pattern, ZapThat! and Bubblets).
Before I begin, I'd like to say, I know it is very exciting to just see those colourful balls and randomly click groups of two or more and watch them disappear with a pop (the sounds are especially catchy if you're playing it on your i-mate) and end up with scores of around 200. But you have to stop that! It is noobly, and does not befit you. After reading this short guide, you too will be able to score regularly in excess of 600 and if faced with a lucky draw, even touch that magical figure of 1000.
When I first started to research this problem, I decided to analyse the scoring pattern. It did not make any linear sense, because I got 2 points for a pair, 6 for three, and 12 for four. I was nonplussed.
But a simple analysis reveals that if An^2 + Bn + C = 2, 6, 12 for n = 2, 3, 4 respectively, A = 1, B = -1 and C = 0. Now you know.
There is only one basic strategy. Look for clumps(not quite unlike the big one in your head. In this next image, I have manipulated the other balls to get a big clump of purple.
That's 506 points right there! More than you've ever scored!
One common mistake most noobs do is to identify the wrong colour to clump in the beginning. For example, look at this next picture. Blue would be a wrong choice, because there is no 'bridge' (look at column 6 - there is no blue ball - hence you wouldn't get a good clump because your left and right sides are disconnected). A better choice here would be purple, and indeed it was.
Another tip would be to work your way down, for often popping pairs in the bottom would mean upsetting potential points in the top.
There. Now you know. If you still get scores in the range of 200, you are a mega noob who should stick to watching Star Plus family dramas.
(The author is an oozeless individual who disclaims any factual content in the above blog)
The ranting hermit.
Before I begin, I'd like to say, I know it is very exciting to just see those colourful balls and randomly click groups of two or more and watch them disappear with a pop (the sounds are especially catchy if you're playing it on your i-mate) and end up with scores of around 200. But you have to stop that! It is noobly, and does not befit you. After reading this short guide, you too will be able to score regularly in excess of 600 and if faced with a lucky draw, even touch that magical figure of 1000.
When I first started to research this problem, I decided to analyse the scoring pattern. It did not make any linear sense, because I got 2 points for a pair, 6 for three, and 12 for four. I was nonplussed.
But a simple analysis reveals that if An^2 + Bn + C = 2, 6, 12 for n = 2, 3, 4 respectively, A = 1, B = -1 and C = 0. Now you know.
There is only one basic strategy. Look for clumps(not quite unlike the big one in your head. In this next image, I have manipulated the other balls to get a big clump of purple.
That's 506 points right there! More than you've ever scored!
One common mistake most noobs do is to identify the wrong colour to clump in the beginning. For example, look at this next picture. Blue would be a wrong choice, because there is no 'bridge' (look at column 6 - there is no blue ball - hence you wouldn't get a good clump because your left and right sides are disconnected). A better choice here would be purple, and indeed it was.
Another tip would be to work your way down, for often popping pairs in the bottom would mean upsetting potential points in the top.
There. Now you know. If you still get scores in the range of 200, you are a mega noob who should stick to watching Star Plus family dramas.
(The author is an oozeless individual who disclaims any factual content in the above blog)
The ranting hermit.
