Successful Adventures, or How to Win in AD&D

This post is part of Prismatic Wasteland's blog bandwagon on the topic of player advice.At the end of the AD&D PHB, just before the Appendices on psionics, bards, alignment, the planes, and suggested divisions of treasure, is a section titled SUCCESSFUL ADVENTURES, though it would perhaps be more aptly titled PLAYER ADVICE:While this advice pertains to AD&D play specifically and will illuminate what exactly Gygax felt made someone a "good" player, perhaps some of the advice will be germane to TTRPGs more generally.This section mostly focuses on dungeon adventures, as this is "The most common form of ADVANCED DUNGEONS & DRAGONS play", though outdoor and city adventures are discussed briefly towards the end:The first bit of tangible advice Gygax provides is to prepare for the game before the game. This ensures that you will not waste "precious adventuring minutes" (i.e., playing time) with "mundane preparations" which you might be able to take care outside of your scheduled session.…