I usually play the American civilization.I my strategy is first make a B-line on wonders ,All cities on production focus,Expand as fast as I can,save gold ,and build military ,and a large workforce.Not the best of all strategies ,but It is my best one I got that works very well.Speaking of that playing single player scenario Smoking skies I so far become the largest Militaristic power taking out two civs ,and finish.However, I have continued on ,and so far eruch civ is the most annoying civ as they continue to settle even though the lost half there cities.