There are always people looking to sell tick's at the games. When I scalp, and I do a lot, I look for individuals and not the professional scalpers. I've always found deals right before the game. If your going to sit by yourself, you can ALWAYS find someone who's selling a single.
Step one:
Tailgate your butt off but keep an ear out for deals around your tailgate area. Maybe someone didn't show up in the party next to you.
Step two:
Early in the tailgate process, get a nice buzz, grab 2 beers and go for a walk. Find the professional scalpers and ask what they got. This establishes the "high" mark. Look at the scalper with a "You gotta be kidding me" look and walk away. Makes your feel good.
Step three:
Continue your walk and look for the individual. I will go one time (from Hammers lot to the ECC walkway across from the stadium) across the street to the front of the stadium to look, and ask prices. (Make sure you swig your beer while crossing the street while looking at the cops-makes you feel warm and fuzzy inside)
Step four:
Unless you've found your ticket there, you need to go back the tailgate, drink some more (still keeping your ears open). The high price has been established and you can regroup your thoughts and enjoy some food and drink. At this point tell yourself "I WILL NOT PAY FACE VALUE FOR TICKETS, I WILL NOT PAY FACE VALUE FOR TICKETS"
Step five:
Its a 3 beer walk from Hammers to the stadium (really its across the street but you get my idea) when the games gonna start. Keep looking for the individual. Offer the Professional a low ball price and let them give you that look (again, warm and fuzzy) YOU WILL, find people in "panic" mode looking to dump tickets because they just want to get inside (THATS YOUR GUY) Offer $20 and say "at least you'll get beer money". Throw in your a college student and play on their emotions. Sometimes, for example, If $40 would be my high offer, I'd have a 20 and 2 10's. Keep a 10 in the other pocket and pull out $30. Show them your pockets empty and say all's I have is $30.
If you really want a smokin' deal, you've got to have some balls and can wait until kick off and get one for $15-$20. However, if that fails, you can always go down the street to the big tree and watch it there. You'll have beer money!
Good luck. There are always deals, you've just got to make it happen. I love scalping and love the game to get great tickets. One more piece of advice. BRING A SEATING CHART. Rip it out of a phone book if you must but bring it with you. I have bought the ticket master tickets from people before (its a computer printout) Use your judgment if you can "trust" the person who's trying to sell that.
YOU CAN DO IT!!!!