Like others have said, there's definitely a poker element to the game. Two good players exploring all the strategies will probably complete a game in about 45 minutes and it will be a very good time spent. Say you have a red 6-5 on another slot, with the red 4 played elsewhere. You've pretty much lost that battle too. But the traitor card lets you take his red 7, and this means you now go form losing 2 battles to winning 2 battles.
Some wild cards are very weak too.
I own both Schotten-Totten and Battle Line. The tactic cards and the impressive artwork of Battle Line give the game a serious flavor. I hope GMT continues updating these European Games. So far I have played Ivanhoe and Battle Line, and both are excellent. It's easier to split the atom with a toothbrush than to understand those directions.