If Triple Triad never existed in this game, I doubt I'd have the same enthusiasm for it as I do. :p

I prefer to play with the Diff rule rather than All though, as All eventually leads to Direct, which for me is one of the most annoying rules of the game. While Open and Diff are in use I'll usually spend a few hours in between the story events playing and collecting cards to refine, but I can never bring myself to refine character or GF cards to Mod some of the more powerful items, even though I know it's possible to win them back from the CC group or QoC later in the game. I usually just go for Tornados, Flares and Full-Lifes.

Another way I like to power through the game gaining some third level spells in the process, is to level Seifer and the first GFs to LV100 during the Dollet mission. It takes a few hours to accomplish and isn't as enjoyable as Triple Triad, but I love the setting and whole mood of Dollet, as well as having Seifer in the active party, so I never mind doing it.

Out of curiosity, how many hours have you reached on the clock..?