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I will answer this, if you don't mind. I always play with hints turned on.
I usually use the suggested first move because I have found that if I am going to have luck the first move suggested by the game will open up opportunities to show me how to pass. The only exceptions: If I see a double colour bomb or a colour bomb/wrap combo to start I normally play this regardless what the game suggests. Often the second suggested move is the best choice as well. After that often the game will try to lead you astray, so you need to watch out and look at what opportunities have opened up and make your own choice.
If I cannot see a good move and don't know which move to make next then again I carry out the move the game suggests. Sometimes this will open up opportunities.
If I think I have a lucky board (a sign would be that the game is trying to help me by creating colour bombs or wrapped candies) then often the game will suggest more helpful moves, so if I can't see what opportunity the colour bomb that suddenly appeared will open up for me I sometimes follow the suggested move and luckily find that a striped candy will land beside it for a combo.
So the answer is: Use the hints wisely. But if you always follow the hints you will almost certainly fail. So only use hints if you can't see a better move.