Cotton Bales Decision Card?

[JimmyPL56]

I'm new to playing with the CSA and wondering how the Cotton Bales decision card works? Specifically:

1. Is it worth using the card? It seems like you get a guaranteed 15 instead of a possible 50? How does the logic work on that?

2. What is the general rule of thumb on when/how often to use this decision card?


Any advice is greatly appreciated!

[Cardinal Ape]

Every turn there is a 25% chance that an available bale card will be sold for $50.

Every turn from early April to early November there is a 10% chance that four bales will rot. I may be off by half a month on the start and end of the rot event.

In November you should get six new bale cards.

[JimmyPL56]

Thanks for the info! Is that 10% chance static, or does it not apply if you use the decision card?

[DrPostman]

You need all the money you can get. Use it every chance you can.

[Rod Smart]

Use it. You get money, and there is not a penalty to using it (unlike requisitions or plunder).
If you don't use them, they'll rot and you'll lose the ability to use them.

Athena doesn't bother trying to take Matagorda, but a human opponent knows how valuable that free money is. Garrison accordingly.

[Cardinal Ape]

In the start of '61 I do play most of the cards, but after the initial stockpile of bales goes away I prefer to gamble for the $50. There are a few safe months that you can take advantage of to increase your chances for the $50.

As far as I know, if the Union takes control of Matagorda it only stops the play of the card. The event to smuggle for $50 can still occur if Matagorda is in Union hands.

[JBEtexas]

Athena doesn't bother trying to take Matagorda, but a human opponent knows how valuable that free money is. Garrison accordingly.

In my last game as CSA verse Athena USA; Athena landed Gen Banks with a small division in Matagorda very early in the game.