diff --git a/src/math/lp/int_gcd_test.cpp b/src/math/lp/int_gcd_test.cpp
index 78611bfc2..f5f7d1015 100644
--- a/src/math/lp/int_gcd_test.cpp
+++ b/src/math/lp/int_gcd_test.cpp
@@ -22,15 +22,33 @@ Revision History:
 
 namespace lp {
 
-    int_gcd_test::int_gcd_test(int_solver& lia): lia(lia), lra(lia.lra) {}
+    int_gcd_test::int_gcd_test(int_solver& lia): lia(lia), lra(lia.lra), m_next_gcd(0), m_delay(0) {}
+
+    bool int_gcd_test::should_apply() {
+
+        if (!lia.settings().m_int_run_gcd_test)
+            return false;
+#if 1
+        return true;
+#else
+        if (m_delay == 0) {
+            return true;
+        }
+        --m_delay;
+        return false;
+#endif
+    }
 
     lia_move int_gcd_test::operator()() {              
         lia.settings().stats().m_gcd_calls++;
         TRACE("int_solver", tout << "gcd-test " << lia.settings().stats().m_gcd_calls << "\n";);
         if (gcd_test()) {
+            m_delay = m_next_gcd++;
             return lia_move::undef;
         }
         else {
+            m_next_gcd = 0;
+            m_delay = 0;
             lia.settings().stats().m_gcd_conflicts++;
             TRACE("gcd_test", tout << "gcd conflict\n";);
             return lia_move::conflict;
diff --git a/src/math/lp/int_gcd_test.h b/src/math/lp/int_gcd_test.h
index 3b5e3baaa..c8fc2c274 100644
--- a/src/math/lp/int_gcd_test.h
+++ b/src/math/lp/int_gcd_test.h
@@ -34,6 +34,8 @@ namespace lp {
     class int_gcd_test {
         class int_solver& lia;
         class lar_solver& lra;
+        unsigned m_next_gcd;
+        unsigned m_delay;
 
         bool gcd_test();
         bool gcd_test_for_row(static_matrix<mpq, numeric_pair<mpq>> & A, unsigned i);
@@ -47,5 +49,6 @@ namespace lp {
         int_gcd_test(int_solver& lia);
         ~int_gcd_test() {}
         lia_move operator()();
+        bool should_apply();
     };
 }
diff --git a/src/math/lp/int_solver.cpp b/src/math/lp/int_solver.cpp
index 1b8be71c9..cf9af10fb 100644
--- a/src/math/lp/int_solver.cpp
+++ b/src/math/lp/int_solver.cpp
@@ -10,14 +10,113 @@
 #include "math/lp/monic.h"
 #include "math/lp/gomory.h"
 #include "math/lp/int_branch.h"
-#include "math/lp/int_gcd_test.h"
 #include "math/lp/int_cube.h"
 
 namespace lp {
 
+int_solver::patcher::patcher(int_solver& lia): 
+    lia(lia), 
+    lra(lia.lra),
+    lrac(lia.lrac),
+    m_num_nbasic_patches(0),
+    m_patch_cost(0),
+    m_delay(0),
+    m_next_patch(0) 
+{}
+    
+bool int_solver::patcher::should_apply() {
+#if 1
+    return true;
+#else
+    if (m_delay == 0) {
+        return true;
+    }
+    --m_delay;
+    return false;
+#endif
+}
+    
+lia_move int_solver::patcher::operator()() {
+    return patch_nbasic_columns();
+}
+
+lia_move int_solver::patcher::patch_nbasic_columns() {
+    lia.settings().stats().m_patches++;
+    lp_assert(lia.is_feasible());
+    m_num_nbasic_patches = 0;
+    m_patch_cost = 0;
+    for (unsigned j : lia.lrac.m_r_nbasis) {
+        patch_nbasic_column(j);
+    }
+    lp_assert(lia.is_feasible());
+    if (!lia.has_inf_int()) {
+        lia.settings().stats().m_patches_success++;
+        m_delay = 0;
+        m_next_patch = 0;
+        return lia_move::sat;
+    }
+    if (m_patch_cost > 0 && m_num_nbasic_patches * 10 < m_patch_cost) {
+        m_delay = std::min(20u, m_next_patch++);
+    }
+    else {
+        m_delay = 0;
+        m_next_patch = 0;
+    }
+    return lia_move::undef;
+}
+
+void int_solver::patcher::patch_nbasic_column(unsigned j) {
+    impq & val = lrac.m_r_x[j];
+    bool inf_l, inf_u;
+    impq l, u;
+    mpq m;
+    bool has_free = lia.get_freedom_interval_for_column(j, inf_l, l, inf_u, u, m);    
+    m_patch_cost += lra.A_r().number_of_non_zeroes_in_column(j);
+    if (!has_free) {
+        return;
+    }
+    bool m_is_one = m.is_one();
+    bool val_is_int = lia.value_is_int(j);
+
+    // check whether value of j is already a multiple of m.
+    if (val_is_int && (m_is_one || (val.x / m).is_int())) {
+        return;
+    }
+    TRACE("patch_int",
+          tout << "TARGET j" << j << " -> [";
+          if (inf_l) tout << "-oo"; else tout << l;
+          tout << ", ";
+          if (inf_u) tout << "oo"; else tout << u;
+          tout << "]";
+          tout << ", m: " << m << ", val: " << val << ", is_int: " << lra.column_is_int(j) << "\n";);
+    if (!inf_l) {
+        l = impq(m_is_one ? ceil(l) : m * ceil(l / m));
+        if (inf_u || l <= u) {
+            TRACE("patch_int",    tout << "patching with l: " << l << '\n';);
+            lra.set_value_for_nbasic_column(j, l);
+        }
+        else {
+            --m_num_nbasic_patches;
+            TRACE("patch_int", tout << "not patching " << l << "\n";);
+        }
+    }
+    else if (!inf_u) {
+        u = impq(m_is_one ? floor(u) : m * floor(u / m));
+        lra.set_value_for_nbasic_column(j, u);
+        TRACE("patch_int", tout << "patching with u: " << u << '\n';);
+    }
+    else {
+        lra.set_value_for_nbasic_column(j, impq(0));
+        TRACE("patch_int", tout << "patching with 0\n";);
+    }
+    ++m_num_nbasic_patches;
+}    
+
 int_solver::int_solver(lar_solver& lar_slv) :
     lra(lar_slv),
     lrac(lra.m_mpq_lar_core_solver),
+    m_gcd(*this),
+    m_patcher(*this),
     m_number_of_calls(0),
     m_hnf_cutter(*this),
     m_hnf_cut_period(settings().hnf_cut_period()) {
@@ -56,18 +155,16 @@ lia_move int_solver::check(lp::explanation * e) {
     gomory       gc(*this);
     int_cube     cube(*this);
     int_branch   branch(*this);
-    int_gcd_test gcd(*this);
 
-    if (should_run_gcd_test()) r = gcd();
+    if (m_gcd.should_apply()) r = m_gcd();
 
     check_return_helper pc(lra);
 
     if (settings().m_int_pivot_fixed_vars_from_basis)
         lra.pivot_fixed_vars_from_basis();
 
-
-    if (r == lia_move::undef) r = patch_nbasic_columns();
     ++m_number_of_calls;
+    if (r == lia_move::undef && m_patcher.should_apply()) r = m_patcher();
     if (r == lia_move::undef && should_find_cube()) r = cube();
     if (r == lia_move::undef && should_hnf_cut()) r = hnf_cut();
     if (r == lia_move::undef && should_gomory_cut()) r = gc();
@@ -167,9 +264,6 @@ bool int_solver::should_find_cube() {
     return m_number_of_calls % settings().m_int_find_cube_period == 0;
 }
 
-bool int_solver::should_run_gcd_test() {
-    return settings().m_int_run_gcd_test;    
-}
 
 bool int_solver::should_gomory_cut() {
     return m_number_of_calls % settings().m_int_gomory_cut_period == 0;
@@ -199,62 +293,8 @@ void int_solver::set_value_for_nbasic_column_ignore_old_values(unsigned j, const
     lra.change_basic_columns_dependend_on_a_given_nb_column(j, delta);
 }
 
-void int_solver::patch_nbasic_column(unsigned j) {
-    impq & val = lrac.m_r_x[j];
-    bool inf_l, inf_u;
-    impq l, u;
-    mpq m;
-    if (!get_freedom_interval_for_column(j, inf_l, l, inf_u, u, m)) {
-        return;
-    }
-    bool m_is_one = m.is_one();
-    bool val_is_int = value_is_int(j);
 
-    // check whether value of j is already a multiple of m.
-    if (val_is_int && (m_is_one || (val.x / m).is_int())) {
-        return;
-    }
-    TRACE("patch_int",
-          tout << "TARGET j" << j << " -> [";
-          if (inf_l) tout << "-oo"; else tout << l;
-          tout << ", ";
-          if (inf_u) tout << "oo"; else tout << u;
-          tout << "]";
-          tout << ", m: " << m << ", val: " << val << ", is_int: " << lra.column_is_int(j) << "\n";);
-    if (!inf_l) {
-        l = impq(m_is_one ? ceil(l) : m * ceil(l / m));
-        if (inf_u || l <= u) {
-            TRACE("patch_int",    tout << "patching with l: " << l << '\n';);
-            lra.set_value_for_nbasic_column(j, l);
-        }
-        else {
-            TRACE("patch_int", tout << "not patching " << l << "\n";);
-        }
-    }
-    else if (!inf_u) {
-        u = impq(m_is_one ? floor(u) : m * floor(u / m));
-        lra.set_value_for_nbasic_column(j, u);
-        TRACE("patch_int", tout << "patching with u: " << u << '\n';);
-    }
-    else {
-        lra.set_value_for_nbasic_column(j, impq(0));
-        TRACE("patch_int", tout << "patching with 0\n";);
-    }
-}
 
-lia_move int_solver::patch_nbasic_columns() {
-    settings().stats().m_patches++;
-    lp_assert(is_feasible());
-    for (unsigned j : lrac.m_r_nbasis) {
-        patch_nbasic_column(j);
-    }
-    lp_assert(is_feasible());
-    if (!has_inf_int()) {
-        settings().stats().m_patches_success++;
-        return lia_move::sat;
-    }
-    return lia_move::undef;
-}
 
 
 bool int_solver::has_lower(unsigned j) const {
@@ -327,7 +367,7 @@ bool int_solver::get_freedom_interval_for_column(unsigned j, bool & inf_l, impq
     TRACE("random_update", tout <<  "m = " << m << "\n";);
     
     for (const auto &c : A.column(j)) {
-        if (!inf_l && !inf_u && l >= u) break;                
+        if (!inf_l && !inf_u && l >= u) break;       
         row_index = c.var();
         const mpq & a = c.coeff();        
         unsigned i = lrac.m_r_basis[row_index];
@@ -534,6 +574,7 @@ bool int_solver::shift_var(unsigned j, unsigned range) {
     return true;
 }
 
+// not used:
 bool int_solver::non_basic_columns_are_at_bounds() const {
     for (unsigned j : lrac.m_r_nbasis) {
         auto & val = lrac.m_r_x[j];
@@ -558,6 +599,5 @@ bool int_solver::non_basic_columns_are_at_bounds() const {
     }
     return true;
 }
-    
 
 }
diff --git a/src/math/lp/int_solver.h b/src/math/lp/int_solver.h
index b9e904e8e..11568497b 100644
--- a/src/math/lp/int_solver.h
+++ b/src/math/lp/int_solver.h
@@ -24,6 +24,7 @@ Revision History:
 #include "math/lp/lar_term.h"
 #include "math/lp/lar_constraints.h"
 #include "math/lp/hnf_cutter.h"
+#include "math/lp/int_gcd_test.h"
 #include "math/lp/lia_move.h"
 #include "math/lp/explanation.h"
 
@@ -39,8 +40,27 @@ class int_solver {
     friend class int_gcd_test;
     friend class hnf_cutter;
 
+    class patcher {
+        int_solver&         lia;
+        lar_solver&         lra;
+        lar_core_solver&    lrac;
+        unsigned            m_num_nbasic_patches;
+        unsigned            m_patch_cost;
+        unsigned            m_next_patch;
+        unsigned            m_delay;
+    public:
+        patcher(int_solver& lia);
+        bool should_apply();
+        lia_move operator()();
+        void patch_nbasic_column(unsigned j);
+    private:
+        lia_move patch_nbasic_columns();
+    };
+
     lar_solver&         lra;
     lar_core_solver&    lrac;
+    int_gcd_test        m_gcd;
+    patcher             m_patcher;
     unsigned            m_number_of_calls;
     lar_term            m_t;               // the term to return in the cut
     mpq                 m_k;               // the right side of the cut
@@ -68,19 +88,17 @@ public:
     bool at_upper(unsigned j) const;
     
 private:
-    lia_move patch_nbasic_columns();
+    // lia_move patch_nbasic_columns();
     bool get_freedom_interval_for_column(unsigned j, bool & inf_l, impq & l, bool & inf_u, impq & u, mpq & m);
     bool is_boxed(unsigned j) const;
     bool is_fixed(unsigned j) const;
     bool is_free(unsigned j) const;
     bool value_is_int(unsigned j) const;
     void set_value_for_nbasic_column_ignore_old_values(unsigned j, const impq & new_val);
-    bool non_basic_columns_are_at_bounds() const;
     bool is_feasible() const;
     bool column_is_int_inf(unsigned j) const;
     std::ostream& display_inf_rows(std::ostream&) const;
     bool should_find_cube();
-    bool should_run_gcd_test();
     bool should_gomory_cut();
     bool should_hnf_cut();
 
@@ -90,6 +108,8 @@ private:
     bool has_lower(unsigned j) const;
     bool has_upper(unsigned j) const;
     unsigned row_of_basic_column(unsigned j) const;
+    bool non_basic_columns_are_at_bounds() const;
+
 
 public:
     std::ostream& display_column(std::ostream & out, unsigned j) const;
@@ -108,6 +128,6 @@ public:
     bool all_columns_are_bounded() const;
     void find_feasible_solution();
     lia_move hnf_cut();
-    void patch_nbasic_column(unsigned j);
+    void patch_nbasic_column(unsigned j) { m_patcher.patch_nbasic_column(j); }
   };
 }
diff --git a/src/opt/maxres.cpp b/src/opt/maxres.cpp
index edfb043ac..7ff1d8491 100644
--- a/src/opt/maxres.cpp
+++ b/src/opt/maxres.cpp
@@ -286,7 +286,7 @@ public:
         lbool is_sat = l_true;
         if (m_hill_climb) {
             /**
-               Give preference to cores that have large minmal values.
+               Give preference to cores that have large minimal values.
             */
             sort_assumptions(asms);              
             m_last_index = std::min(m_last_index, asms.size()-1);
diff --git a/src/smt/theory_lra.cpp b/src/smt/theory_lra.cpp
index 9b2177ac2..f0f516bfa 100644
--- a/src/smt/theory_lra.cpp
+++ b/src/smt/theory_lra.cpp
@@ -2094,7 +2094,7 @@ public:
                 th.log_axiom_instantiation(body);
                 m.trace_stream() << "[end-of-instance]\n";
             }
-            IF_VERBOSE(2, verbose_stream() << "branch " << b << "\n";);
+            IF_VERBOSE(4, verbose_stream() << "branch " << b << "\n";);
             // branch on term >= k + 1
             // branch on term <= k
             // TBD: ctx().force_phase(ctx().get_literal(b));
@@ -2113,7 +2113,7 @@ public:
                 th.log_axiom_instantiation(b);
                 m.trace_stream() << "[end-of-instance]\n";
             }
-            IF_VERBOSE(2, verbose_stream() << "cut " << b << "\n");
+            IF_VERBOSE(4, verbose_stream() << "cut " << b << "\n");
             TRACE("arith", dump_cut_lemma(tout, m_lia->get_term(), m_lia->get_offset(), m_explanation, m_lia->is_upper()););
             m_eqs.reset();
             m_core.reset();