Over the years I have probably played this game about 10 times. I really like the game a lot and it is one of the heavier games that my wife really enjoys. We break it out a couple times per year. After you have played a few games you might want to try on of the variants that are in the rule book. They can make the game more strategic. There is only a limited amount that you can plan in the standard game because of the random items that are available. And you can't plan too far in advance for selling an older/larger pet. But if you reveal more of the buyers a few rounds ahead, you have options of whether or not to sell a bunch of petz, or raise a couple pets for a big payoff. This can give the game longer legs. It can be a bit of a brain burner if you do this. You could even go crazy and reveal ALL of the buyers right at the beginning of the game. :-)
I have seen people win by churning a bunch of petz and I have also seen a wen based on one really big selling round in the late game.
I have seen people win by churning a bunch of petz and I have also seen a wen based on one really big selling round in the late game.