There are two basic tactics. Just about every round starts out as a "furball". This sounds like what you have described. Call them targets of opportunity, or just plain lucky snags, but when 10 planes are up all with full streamers looping in the middle of the "ball" can score a couple quick cuts. Once the targets decline to only a few streamers (or a couple planes carry the lions share of streamers) it's time to get down to business with the real tactic of pursuit. Pick a target and chase it down hard. Anticipate your opponents moves and don't let them shake you. Many pilots have bad poker faces and repeat the same move over and over again to evade pursuit. The best have so many moves, they are almost impossible to anticipate, but they also MUST stay in the engagement area so they have to change direction some time. Practice matching speed with your target too. If you are alot faster than the target you'll over fly them too quickly and lose out on cuts.