[waialua359]

Picking up from the floor is essential. The one difference I see from 2007 is the human player sending it more often through the slot than throwing it over due to diffferent field design, zones, and scoring being on the opposite end. Trivial nonetheless.

Going through the traffic rather than avoiding traffic sounds like the smarter play. However, I would add that trying to avoid spinning your robot around from grabbing game pieces to scoring would make things a whole lot quicker and efficient, if your robot can ?

Its a given that top row scoring will be first priority vs. lower scoring rows.
However, I'd bet that the ability to score on the top row will be vastly different between rookie and veteran teams (2007 and prior). And that will be the single biggest factor as to why teams win vs. losing. So what is your minibot gets to the top right before mines? All I need is a 5+ or 10+ higher score than you prior to the endgame.
In other words, I'd make sure you can score on all grids effectively and efficiently before trying to figure out how to be the fastest deploying minibot and speed. But its still important.

Those that played and were successful in 2007 have an added advantage. Comparing it to any other game in previous years that I've seen, coached, and studied doesnt help, IMO. Well, except for 2006.