The tickets go on sale at 10 a.m. through Ticketmaster, with online and phone sales only.

By 10:30, if not sooner, almost every seat will be gone.

Unless you want to sit by yourself at one of the lamer games, like San Francisco on Dec. 20.

Then again, that suggests a popular strategy: Rather than get shut out, pounce on the less desirable games.

Forget the New York Giants (Nov. 1, 4:15 p.m.) and the Dallas Cowboys Nov. 8, 4:15 p.m.), and maybe forsake the Washington Redskins (Nov. 29, 1 p.m.) and the return of Brian Dawkins with the Denver Broncos (Dec. 27, 1 p.m.).

That leaves the New Orleans Saints (Sept. 20, 1 p.m.), the Kansas City Chiefs (Sept. 27, 1 p.m.), the Tampa Bay Buccaneers (Oct. 11, 1 p.m.) and the Niners (Dec. 20, 1 p.m.)

Unless you really want to pay to see a pre-season game.

The cost is $70 to $95 each, plus taxes and fees. The limit is four tickets per person.

Ticketmaster’s national sales number is 1-800-745-3000, and its “express” self-service line is 1-866-448-7849.

Other words to the wise:

(1) If using Ticketmaster.com, have your account ready and activated to expediate your shot.

(2) If phoning, try an out-of-town Ticketmaster office, which is less likely to be jammed. To find a number, go to this page and click a state: www.ticketmaster.com/h/orderbyphone.html. You might test early, to make sure orders will be taken at the number you want to call.

(3) Enlist friends to try multiple screens on multiple computers – many fans and brokers do. But if the system’s searching for your tickets, be patient. Don’t hit “back” or “refresh,” which can lose your place in line.

Tickets will not be sold at Ticketmaster retail outlets or the Lincoln Financial Field ticket office.