This was my first game against people who weren't new to the game, and first game with 4 players.

A went for the corn shipping strategy, having heard about it before. She built a Small Warehouse early, and looked really formidable in the mid-game after she built the Wharf. She was crafting before we were ready, and enjoying the benefits from it. Her momentum was blunted near the end-game though, as B and I both took the Harbor off the board before she could take it, and we all "parasitically interacted" with her by leaving her to take Craftsman and Captain. B also took a 10-building that A really needed.

B and I both went for the Factory route, and were set up really well near the end-game. I specialized in tobacco, while B specialized in coffee. I got my engine set up first, as B had some stumbling steps, but he was rolling near the end-game, having a Coffee monopoly, the Small and Large Markets, and Factory, and being the only person with 2 10-buildings. B ended the game by filling up his building spaces, but I thought he could win if he drew the game out longer, since he was very well set up, and he sat to the right of A, so he could pick Captain before her. He thought he couldn't catch her though, and hence ended the game.

I had my first taste of "pissed at player on the left" syndrome in Puerto Rico, when C, to my right and already frustrated about playing well below his normal level, complained about my decision to take Captain, saying I was helping A the corn shipper be the runaway leader. I disagreed (and still agree) with that assertion, because there was a doubloon on the Captain, I actually gained 1 VP on A during the shipment (because I had the Harbor + Captain bonuses), I wanted to make A generate income for me with my Factory, and because I was the Governor next round, so I could immediately take Captain again next round, and gain another 1-2 VP on her. If I had let her take Captain, she would have pulled 1-2 VP away from me instead.

It was a fun, tense and close game, as the scores were really close in the end. C said he played poorly, and didn't manage to get a 10-building down in time. B had the Fortress and Customs House, A had the Residence, and I had the City Hall.

EDIT: Oops, why wouldn't I include the scores when I put "Close Game" in the title?

FINAL SCORES
A - 48
B - 46
Me - 44
C - 28