This is my win strategy for a new player:
Join doubles and triples games. They are more intimate than quads, and singles can get boring. If you enjoy singles, this might not be for you.
Next, play many maps. It doesn't matter if you don't understand it right away. the key will make things clear after a game or two, and then that map should be a back of the hand experience, after spending days or weeks looking at it.
Ask your partner questions. If they are knowledgeable about the game, or the map, try to learn from them. If you win, analyze the chemistry between you and your partner. Did you argue about anything? If there was a blunder did someone get easily upset, or were they forgiving?
If someone played a team game with you, had good conversation and was truly a pleasure to play with -- win or lose -- then this might be a potential future teammate.
Invite this person to another game or two, and test your luck again. Make sure your winds weren't flukes. I've found about two or three very good partners this way on many different kinds of maps. Fractured America, Charleston, New World, Feudal. The best part: even if you lose the game you still have a new ally, and quite possibly a new friend. That's a win situation for me.
Not to mention your win rate should go up, if you care for that sort of thing.
I've only been playing since January, but these are my best tips to those starting out. Good luck!


