(no subject)

If there's a domain name that will be expiring in the not-too-distant future, and I would like to maximize my chances of being able to register it, what should I do (if that's possible)? Assume for the purpose of the question that there are other individuals who have the same idea as well as a fair likelihood of a squatter.

Bonus points for telling me how I might go about transferring it to a different registrar, if I did manage to get my hands on it. (I understand there are, at the very least, waiting periods involved...)