I have never watched anyone else play it (except the people I have showed). In that other thread I got the hint to keep things in the corner - that is the only outside strategy I have used
Click the 'three horizontal line' button in the top right, and click on 'modes'. Use 'practise mode'.
So this practice mode has latched onto my life the last couple days. Quite literally halfway done with it as I figure
On a mission, for maximum score. I think it is fun. I look at it as practice for when I go back to classic mode -> have gotten '2048' so many times.