Paying full price for tickets to Broadway or off-Broadway shows is sure to make your trip to the poor house that much shorter. With musicals routinely charging $100 or more, the smart theatregoer knows it pays to look for bargains.

The most well-known option, of course, is the TKTS (usually called "Tickets") booth in Times Square. You sometimes have to stand in line for a long time, but the majority of shows (exepting true sell-out hits) are usually represented there, especially on weekdays. Discount is 50% or 25%, depending on what the producer determines that day. No advance purchases; you get your tickets the same day that your plan to see your show. This is an especially attractive option if you have several shows you want to see, increasing the chance that at least one of your choices will be available when you go there.

But there are also a number of online discount tickte clubs you can use. Most are free; you just have to register, which generally costs nothing. Discounts may not be as generous as 50% (although sometimes they are), but the higher price may be worth it if it means you don't have to stand in a long line at the TKTS booth and you can buy in advance. (Saturday nights are often excluded for these kind of discount ticket services.) There are many, including Theatermania.com, Broadway.com, HitShowClub.com and Playbill.com.

With these services, you will generally be given a code to use when ordering your tickets from a regular online ticket service. Many of these codes are also available - without registering - at Broadwaybox.com.

Again, a smash hit that doesn't NEED to sell more tickets won't usually be available from any of these services. But very few shows are legitimate smash hits.

Discount tickets are also more available on off-nights or off-season. The weekend is prime time; Monday-Thursday is off, so if you can go during the week, you'll have a better chance. Similarly, holidays tend to be big theatregoing days, so cheapo tickets are generally harder to come by then, or at other "hot" times, like in the weeks following the Tony nominations and awards (at least for those shows nominated and winning.)

There's some good stuff out there - but seeing it doesn't have to cost you an arm and a leg.