Go playing party

[pandora_parrot]

So, I'm a huge fan of Go, one of the deepest and oldest strategy games in the world.

However, the depth of the game tends to scare away beginners, and I find that I run into very few people that are interested in learning to play. And even when I do, the initial learning curve is pretty steep, causing folks to get frustrated pretty quickly. However, I've found that a good environment amongst folks of your relative skill level could really help out in learning to play.

It's certainly possible for me to go to the local Go club and learn to play there, but my social anxiety there causes me to shy away for the most part. That, and the fact that I really prefer to play these games against my friends or acquaintances. I'm not really into games purely for the sake of the game. I'm also into it as an experience of sharing with people I care about.

So... I'm wondering if any of you folks from the Bay Area out there are interested in playing Go with me. Or even if you're further away and might be interested in playing online once in a while? I'd be happy to teach the game, and you can talk to several of my "students" about how they feel about my efforts to teach them to play. I'm still classified as a beginner, with a ranking of about 18-20k, but I know a few things that I can teach to even more beginning players.

After doing a teaching game with viesti and orange56gal last night, I've been thinking about possible having a little games night at my place again. I've been dealing with shame issues from the last party I tried to throw at my place, having had to cancel at the last minute and even screwing that up, but I've been recovering from that and might feel okay throwing a party again. Although all games would be welcome, I personally would be focusing on teaching/playing go with folks. I've actually got 3 boards to play with, so many people could play at once. :)

Anyways, if you're interested, drop me a line. I'll pick a date and send out invites once I have a good list of folks that might be interested in coming by.

Comments

[natalie-i-am.livejournal.com]

I miss Go. My dad taught me how to play... about 15 years ago. - Probably a bit rusty.

[paradox-puree.livejournal.com]

interested?

And are you local?

[natalie-i-am.livejournal.com]

Interested: Yes

Local: No where near it. :( I'm in the UK

[osakadensetsu.livejournal.com]

...I totally could have written the first three paragraphs here myself.

I'd love to play Go online with you sometime, since geography prevents actual real life play. I've got an account at the Kiseido Go Server that's pretty neglected. We should definitely do this sometime!

[paradox-puree.livejournal.com]

I'd love to play!

Now... how do we arrange for time to play. Too bad there isn't a nice PbEM client for Go that I've found. Maybe I should write one?

[paradox-puree.livejournal.com]

Awesome! Do you have my IM information to contact me?

[osakadensetsu.livejournal.com]

I see it on your LJ profile, if that's up to date. Or do you have some other preferred contact?

A PbEM client would be awesome, but understandably a big task.

What times do you think you'd be available around?

[paradox-puree.livejournal.com]

Woot!

[jmkelly.livejournal.com]

Sunnyvale is a long way for me to go, even for Go. But I'd like to learn to play it if you'd like to teach me online.

[paradox-puree.livejournal.com]

Hmmm... So, I was more thinking about using online go as a way to play against people that already know how to play. wasn't really thinking about teaching via that medium. Although, that could be quite interesting! I'd want to use Skype or something, though. :)

Let me think about it. :)

[elegantblackcat.livejournal.com]

Hi! I live in San Francisco, for the time being. I do not know how to play Go but I've always kind of wanted to learn. Oh and I was referred here by io_spellweaver. :)

[io-spellweaver.livejournal.com]

Hehehe, yes I will pull my disparate social circles closer I will, hehehe ;)

[nytemuse.livejournal.com]

Oh, don't trust him, he's trouble

*playful teasing*

[paradox-puree.livejournal.com]

Awesome! Do you have any interest in coming south for a party at my friend's house to learn to play?

[vvvexation.livejournal.com]

Game night: yes. Go online: also a possibility. What site?

[paradox-puree.livejournal.com]

Do I have your email address to invite you to the game night? We're going to do one on November 7th.

As for sites, the best and most popular services are IGS and KGS.

IGS has an open protocol, so there are tons of different programs that you can use to connect to their service. You can find a list of clients on their site. I use Goban for Mac OS X, myself.

KGS is more closed, and I think you have to use their own client to connect, but it is free and available on their website.

[vvvexation.livejournal.com]

My email's in my profile. Have at.

[paradox-puree.livejournal.com]

You've been invited.

[salia-chan.livejournal.com]

I'll play go with you! ...I'm pretty bleh, but still mew. ^-^

[salia-chan.livejournal.com]

Also, FS2 darnit! ^.^;

[paradox-puree.livejournal.com]

Indeed! =^.^=

If I ever have time...

[nytemuse.livejournal.com]

I have never played, but would be interested to learn.

Would also love a local semi-regular general games night. I have 3 or 4 card-type games I'd love to inflict on others, but most of my current friends aren't into board or card games.

[paradox-puree.livejournal.com]

Well... We're going to throw a gaming party on November 7th. Wanna come over?

Just give me your email address and I'll send you an invite.

[nytemuse.livejournal.com]

Damn. Would love to, but Dickens Fair workshops start that weekend. Hopefully will catch one after Yule.

[darksidex.livejournal.com]

I'd love to play with you online some time, although I'm probably still significantly weaker than you (I'd guess my rank at about 22-25k)

[paradox-puree.livejournal.com]

Actually, you're probably pretty close to me. 18-20 is not that different from 22-25.

Cool! When do you want to play?

[darksidex.livejournal.com]

I'm up for playing almost any evening, with a few exceptions.

Other than that, I can make time pretty much any evening, which for me means 4:00 - 8:00 UTC (20:00 - 0:00 PST)... just name a date and I'll tell you if it's good :)

Oh, and sorry about not replying to this sooner. I sometimes surprise myself with how busy and forgetful I am.