Purchasing all 8 Smithore from the store during round 1 .

[Mt-Wampus]

Is it a smart move to run up to the store and buy up the 8 bars of Smithore in round one or a bad strategy?

[trouba]

It's a very offensive strategy, but I tend to avoid it. After the first ore price spike, usually around turn 5, you'll most probably get to the first place... which IS a bad thing I usually buy about 4-6 pieces of ore, depending on my starting position and number of adjacent mountains on the sector.

[Keybounce]

I've found that having the money for an early land auction plot to be more useful.

(But then I'm not a big smith hoard player)

[dynadan]

It is also based on a few other variables.  Starting price of the ore is a big factor.  If the base price of the ore (the bottom store value) is below 42 or so i think it can be a very good play.  Can be especially strong play if the store price is 35 or lower.

It also depends on your starting position.  Mainly if you are going to be able to buy enough food and energy to survive first few turns.

And also it depends on your competition.  Are they going to be making enough ore to defend against the 1st ore spike?  Are you going to have enough money to buy their ore?

Money ends up being a big issue.  Typically to make the move worth it you are going to have to let a few mules go.  By using this strategy you are giving up your chance to buy a plot of land in round 2 and 3 and possibly 4.  However sometimes there are no auctions anyway.  Also, when there are auctions the person with the most amount of money is going to get them, so if you have 850 bucks and are still 4th in money you are going to be in the same shape.  If used correctly this strategy can get you 2 plots of land before round 6 where most players only have 1. 

It will get you into 1st place early, but hopefully a good mix of land auctions and letting mules go can help to get out of 1st place.

Like so many strategies in this game there is a fine line between genius and idiocy.  Experiment for what works best for you.