In my opinion Tactics Trainer is one of the best features of chess.com.

But it is no walk in the park!

I'm writing this to ask you all, how do you handle chess puzzles such as those in tactics trainer?

What do you look at first?

Are there certain common patterns you recommend to be sought out first?

How long do you spend on average per puzzle?

Do you ever click "show solution" or even just skip a puzzle?

Are there any bad habbits a tactics trainer user should watch out for in their style of solving?

I always look at the possible check first, usually sacrificial, and usually spend a VERY small amount of time on each puzzle.

Current rating: 1952.

I never skip a puzzle! If the opponent is attacking me in a puzzle, I try to find forcing moves that will put the attacking piece en prise (in a "forced" way), or simply make dual threats (mating and piece capturing). Mostly, I try to look for ways to win material. It's really hard to explain how you do it, try explaining it yourself! The more tactics problems you do, the higher the probability that you improve at tactics.

thanks! we loved building it...

Tactics Trainer is what brought me here and made me a member.  I find it enjoyable to try a few problems in order to get a grasp for how well my mind is working at that moment.  If I can't solve a simple problem I know that I shouldn't make any big decisions that day. 

1. look at all checks no matter how ridiculous looking they may appear to be.  This is the most forcing move possible.  You are the one in control.  They are reacting you.  You should always be in the driver's seat.  Specifically look for checks with only one possible response.  The more control you have the better.  Obviously it is easier to calculate if every move is completely forced. 

2. look for big captures.  Big captures are almost as forcing as a check, you can't just let someone walk off with a rook.  You almost invariably (is that an oxymoron?) need to do something about the loss of material.    

3. Look for big threats e.g. "I'm going to mate you on the next move unless you do something about it, or I'm going to take your queen on the very next move, go ahead and try to stop me punk!"

4. Lastly, multi-task.  Check by making a big capture.  Even better Check by making a big capture that threatens something big.  You can mix a big capture with a big threat etc, etc. 

What do you look at first?

The puzzle, then my dog (if he laughs then the puzzle is too easy..if he frowns then it is extremely easy!)

Are there certain common patterns you recommend to be sought out first?

Yes..common patterns include pieces on the board. especially the Kings. There is no fun to solve a puzzle and then find out there were no Kings to begin with!

How long do you spend on average per puzzle?

1-2min then I let my Fritz or Rybka take over..after about 3 hrs I decide that my first move was the best of all!

Do you ever click "show solution" or even just skip a puzzle?

I dunno I dont remember things that I skip. or did u mean skip while I solve the puzzle? interesting hmm.... hop-skipping might help jog our memory while solving!

Are there any bad habbits a tactics trainer user should watch out for in their style of solving?

yeah bad habits include wasting time solving puzzles than living your life! but hey who are we to complain. If people had lives then they wouldn't play chess, now would they?