I've been gaming the system since I joined the board 5 years ago. I've learned a lot. It just becomes a part of normal daiily life. I know when my statements are going to close so I pay the cards off before that and leave one with a balance most of the time. Once in while I take advanate of a 0% no fee BT offer to move some balances around. I can't remember the last time I've paid interest.
I've told a few friends some "tricks" to improve their scores. Most listen but don't do anything. One told me it's to much work. One listened and did everything I've suggested. Her scores keep going up! I got a nice Mexican dinner for that (Yum...).
I wish I had my current credit knowledge 10-20 years ago when my income was really good. I just knew that I could get multiple auto loans, credit cards and a mortgage whenever I wanted. No hassle at all. I think being knowledgeable about the inner workings of the credit world (the level we talk about) would have allowed me to manage my money and credit much better than I did. I'm a numbers person. I like to see something I did cause an improvement. I would have been all over that. Some might consider some things "gaming the system". I think of them as doing the right thing to maximize my scores.
btw- Bob was mentioned at the beginning of this thread. Didn't he have a problem with his golf swing? Ahhh.... that's another subject. 
