While this game was playing, I got a LOT of emails from the new players asking me what the "secret" was to getting those scoring flakes.  Several of the new players thought that there MUST be some "secret" to it, as they had tried multiple times and were unsuccessful, while other flakers managed to get scoring flakes over and over again.  I assured them there was no secret at all, and that ALL the information needed to play the game had been released, and I'm sure that if they asked the BIG players in the game, they would have gotten the same answer.

The real "secret" to this game is TIMING when releasing flakes, as well as the SPEED while releasing them, and of course...having MULTIPLE WINDOWS of SnowDays open at the same time.  There is also STRATEGY and LUCK involved.  Let's discuss each of these in more detail so you can be ready for the neXt time there may be an occasion to "Speed Flake"

TIMING - Of course, your timing for releasing your flakes is MOST IMPORTANT.  The BEST way to make sure your timing is correct is to NOT use the flake counter at SnowDays!  So if you are NOT using the flake counter, how do you know when the right time to release your flakes is?  The "secret" is to have all your flakes made in advance and ready to go, AND having an "x"tra window open that you can make "quickie anon" flakes on.  These quickies are just quick scribbles or slashes made on the flake, then releasing it IMMEDIATELY, without entering your name or email information.  The reason to do this is because when you fire off the flake, the SnowDays program will tell you the flake number, and that number will be your "real time" flake count!  Remember, BIG scoring numbers can have 50 - 100 or more flakes made per minute, and the SnowDays counter is "lagged" and often takes several seconds before the number is updated.  Several seconds in the Zero Game can mean life of death, so making quickie anon flakes is the answer to what the actual flake count is at ;)

SPEED - Using the method above, you will have a VERY good idea as to when to release your "pre-made" flakes that you want to nab a scoring flake with.  When that time arrives, the speed you decide to release them at, (depending on the current "conditions", as best as you can "guess"), will make a HUGE difference in the chances of you getting the flake.  Sometimes, you will be wayyyyy off, and will release your 'pre-mades' either too early, or too late.  The trick here is to "learn" from your mistake ;)  How close did you get to the flake you wanted?  How fast was the flake counter going BEFORE the flake you wanted arrived?  How many flakers were online?  Learn from these subjects and COMPENSATE for them the neXt try ;)  Really, (as with all things on the Slopes!), it is PRACTICE & PERSISTENCE that will get you where you wish to be ;D

MULTIPLE WINDOWS - I have ALWAYS highly suggested to players that they closely read my directions for SPEED FLAKING.  These are "old" pages, so perhaps new flakers are less inclined to read them, but really they discuss everything mentioned above, and are the true "secret" to this game  :O)

STRATEGY - It should also be noted that dial up or high speed internet do NOT make a difference when playing this game.  Some players play with TWO computers, while other players will actually change to a different computer for the game.  I have also heard of some players "tiling" or "cascading" their multiple SnowDays windows, (instead of lining up the windows on their task bars).  It is a player's choice as to how "x"actly they want to play the game. Naturally, individual "styles" will be created, but ultimately, the game is EQUAL to all players.  Use your brain!  It's all about "out smarting" your competition!

LUCK - Even the BEST of the BEST players will tell you that LUCK will still play a big part of actually getting the desired flake number.  You can have everything just right, release the flakes at just the right time, have your timing perfect, and another flaker can STILL get the flake you want!  Don't give up, the more you try, the "luckier" you will become!