The game of Go is often referred to as the ‘ultimate board game’, and it is easy to see why – playing it requires quick thinking, strategy, and the ability to stay one step ahead of your opponent. It can also help to improve cognitive skills such as problem solving and creative thinking, making it an ideal choice for board game beginners. But what makes Go the best go board game for beginners?
The beauty of Go is its simplicity. All you need is a wooden board with black and white pieces – no extra pieces or dice are required.
This simplifies the learning process, allowing newcomers to master the basics quickly without having to wade through confusing instructions or difficult rules. Furthermore, even after you master the basics strategies, creativity always remains at its core; if you find yourself in a tricky situation, you can always come up with fresh ways to outwit your opponent.
Another aspect that makes Go an ideal beginner’s board game is its compatibility with various levels of skill. Beginners can benefit from simple strategies and the competitive atmosphere that comes with playing against veterans; while skilled players can hone their abilities through complex tactics with more experienced opponents. A few minor alterations like adjusting the number of pieces used or changing who starts first, even make Go suitable for people of all ages.
To conclude, Go is a fantastic way for everybody – from children right up through adults – to flex their strategic muscles and sharpens their creative mindset when playing against each other. As such it stands head and shoulders above other beginner friendly board games on offer today.
Overview of the Go Game and Its History
The game of Go is an ancient board game that has been played in various forms throughout history. According to some scholars, it originates from China more than 2,500 years ago and is the oldest known board game played around the world. The basic rules remain the same today as they did then: two players will place black and white stones on a 19×19 grid of lines, which creates a cross-like board.
The objective of the game is simple: one player must surround their opponent’s pieces to capture them and win the game. As such, there are many strategic moves players can make to outwit their opponents and ultimately gain control over the board.
Go has seen popularity throughout many countries around the world but is especially popular in East Asia, where its influence has spread in professional Go leagues and tournaments around Japan, South Korea, and China. The top players of Go can often earn hefty sums through these tournaments and have earned millionaire status due to their skills at playing the game.
Best Go Board Games for Beginners For those looking to start learning how to play Go there are different options available when it comes to picking a suitable board game.
While most entry-level beginners will be able to learn from any type of starter set that comes with pieces and instructions on how to play; more experienced players may prefer sets that come with extra features that allow for deeper levels of gameplay such as simultaneous 5 or 10 games and strategy tools/tips to help improve your gaming tactics over time.
Entry level beginner sets usually vary from anything between 19×19-9×9 boards depending on your level of interest; with larger boards allowing for bigger playspreads while smaller boards tend to appeal more towards younger children or those yet unfamiliar with the intricacies of strategy within larger games. Although it should be noted; even though smaller boards might appear easier at first glance there are usually plenty good puzzles within them as well.
Aside from different sized boards, there are also unique illustrations featured on each set which offer up plenty of visual diversity – although this is really up to personal preference more than anything else.
Tips for Selecting the Best Go Board Game for Beginners
For someone interested in learning the game of Go, selecting the best board game for beginners is essential. The most important thing to consider when choosing a board game is understanding your level of interest in the game and finding a game tailored specifically to beginners’ needs.
A quality starter set can provide the necessary tools for new players to strengthen their skills without overwhelming them with too much complexity. Here are some tips to help you find the perfect match for your skill level and budget.
First, look for a complete set that features all of the necessary components. A full Go board game should include two sets of stones (black and white), a wooden or plastic Go board, a timer, scorekeeper, and instructions on how to play as well as strategies and tactics used during play.
Having all of these items in one package ensures that you won’t be missing any necessary pieces each time you want to play. Starter kits can also be more affordable than buying pieces individually.
Second, consider the material used when making your selection. Since wood boards tend to be the preferred choice among experienced players professional grade boards may be more ideal even though they could cost slightly more than bundled sets with plastic boards.
If you’d like value for money while still getting premium materials choose products made from bamboo or other high-grade materials such as hinoki, zelkova or ketaki woods with ironstone tiles or glass stones which create an aesthetically pleasing aesthetic when playing matches.
Third, examine who produced each set before committing to purchasing it especially if you’re looking at an online retailer where reviews are often available from other buyers who have tried out those products already. Reviews can offer valuable insight into what durability each product offers alongside acquiring further information about possible flaws; staying informed however way possible helps tell whether it’s right for your needs before making any decisions especially concerning specialty games like Go.
Taking this step may even save you money in if multiple refunds are needed due to subpar quality parts breaking during use or simply lacklustre production overall.
Different Types of Go Board Sets and Their Variations
The Go Board Game, or simply “Go” as it is more commonly known, is one of the oldest and most complex board games in the world with an estimated 2500 years of history. It is a two-person abstract strategy game known for its complex yet elegant game play and seemingly infinite variations.
For beginners who want to get into this classic game, there are a few different types of Go boards available on the market to fit any budget and level of expertise.
Wooden Go Boards
For some people, nothing beats the traditional look and feel of a wooden go board set. Wooden go boards typically come in two variants: solid wooden boards that are crafted from a single slab of wood for extra durability or laminated wooden boards created by joining multiple smaller pieces together like puzzle pieces.
Wooden go boards may cost more but they come with handcrafted lines and raised borders which allows easy identification of each line and block making them ideal for those new to the game.
Folding Go Board Sets
These are best for those who like portability or have limited space in their home or office, folding go board sets usually feature solid wood frames with thin strips or buttons separating each line element. This type of design ensures that each side stays connected even when folded shut for easy storage. Folding go boards also come in various sizes so players can pick one suitable for their needs while keeping costs down.
Compact Go Sets
For those looking for something uniquely portable and pocket-sized, compact go sets offer a great solution. These small sets typically consist plastic or metal blocks arranged into an 8×8 grid on a framed rectangular board with adjustable legs – perfect not only for playing at home but also outdoors while camping or on vacation trips as well.
The lightweight blocks make it easy to quickly reset games mid-session meaning you won’t waste time setting up before playing every time.
Benefits of Playing the Best Go Board Game for Beginners
Go is a great game for beginners as well as experienced players to learn and hone their strategic skills. Learning the basics of this complex game can be incredibly rewarding, and there are several benefits associated with playing the best Go board game for beginners.
Benefits of Playing Go Board Games
One of the main advantages of playing Go board games is that it helps to develop and enhance a player’s ability to think strategically. The game requires players to think carefully about each move they make in order to outsmart their opponent. This helps to improve strategic thinking skills which can be beneficial in many situations in life, such as problem-solving, negotiation, or decision-making.
Another benefit of playing Go is that it promotes mental alertness and sharpness. The game encourages players to make decisions quickly since long waits can lead to a loss in the game; this makes strategic thinking even more important. As a result, playing Go has been linked with improved alertness and sharpness over time as players become more accustomed to making timely decisions with precision.
Go also encourages critical thinking and logical reasoning which is another key advantage of learning the game when starting off as a beginner. By providing a platform for learning strategies from a different perspective, critical thinking skills are developed which can help people make better decisions outside of the gaming environment.
Advantages Of Playing The Best Go Board Game For Beginners
- Develops strategic thinking
- Promotes mental alertness and sharpness
- Encourages critical thinking and logical reasoning
- Enhances problem-solving capabilities
- Improves concentration levels
- Provides opportunity for personal growth
Recommended Accessories for Go Board Games
There are a few recommended accessories which make playing Go Board Games much easier and more enjoyable experience.Firstly, purchasing an appropriate sized board is essential. Ideal board size are 17×17 lines for adults,13×13 for middle-aged players and 9×9 for children or beginners. Additionally, investing in two sets of stones – one black and one white – is encouraged to ensure an even playing field during the game.
Similarly, a replacement slate should be procured as it can help to have a backup in case of accidents or spills. Temperature changes between seasons can cause slate to partially crack leading to unsmooth edges or inaccurate sizing on the board.
Goban & Bowls
For professionals or experienced players looking to elevate their game, a goban is highly recommended. A Goban is an advanced version of a board with raised edges and reinforced strucutre that prevents the stones from falling off or slipping around too easily whilst playing on man mat surfaces such as tables.
Additionally, unique bowls specifically designed for securely storing special stones ideal for high-grade gameplay could be purchased too. Depending on preference you could chose drop style bowls or bowl stands that keep the pieces in neat organised rows.
Stone Resin
High-quality stone resin playset defined by good craftmanship often made with special materials such as quartz and metal powder is available online and in stores. The benefit of using stone resin it’s longevity preserves well over time without losing it’s colour making it less likely do degrade comparitively with traditional clay set collections.
Moreover, some designs offer tactile material such as texturerd wood which feels comfortable resting our palms upon compared to traditional glossy styles found on cheaper imitations.
Step-by-Step Rules to Follow when Playing the Game
1. Set up of the board: Place the game board between two players and put all Black stones on one side & White stones on the other.
2. Taking turns: The players then alternate making their moves – with Black playing first (on point ‘A’).
3. Placing stones: Each turn consists of placing a single stone on any unoccupied point on the board.
4. Capturing pieces: A player’s stones are captured when they are completely surrounded by his opponent’s stones.
5. End of game: The game ends when both players pass consecutively, without having placed any additional stones onto the board (or when no moves remain).
6. Scoring: The winner is then determined by counting up each player’s remaining stones on the board – the player with most points wins.
How to Play Go Board Game
The aim of this ancient Chinese strategy-based game is for a player to surround more territory than his opponent using the black and white balls placed near them at the beginning of a game. To begin playing, let us look at how to set up a go board correctly and understand basic rules that govern it so that you can start off as a competitive beginner.
- Setting Up: Games can be played on different varieties of boards, however traditionally they should consist of 19 grid-style lines running across in both directions (from left to right & from top to bottom). Players must take turns in alternation placing their coloured stones (Black or White) anywhere onto empty intersections, known as ‘points’.
- Playing Pieces: As mentioned previously, Playing pieces come in two colours – either black or white – and these two types never interact even though they may occupy the same space during play.
- Captures: During plays, “captures” occur when an entire line/adjacent group of opposing colour pieces are enclosed such that there are no longer any adjacent open points or friendly spaces left.
- Territory: After capture has been done, players must claim territorial dominance in order gain higher scores from fewer pieces; this ability depends greatly upon your strategic manoeuvres over time.
- Ending Game & Scoring: Once no more pieces can be moved onto the board and both sides have passed or both sides agree to end it, scoring ensues where each pips captured by one’s own stones is considered one point while those taken by opponent earns him half-an-point only.
Conclusion
The game of Go is a classic game, dating back thousands of years in East Asian culture. With its recent surge in popularity in the West, there are now many exciting and modern Go board games that beginners can select from. The Fu Fhong 18×18 inch Go set is designed for more advanced players but contains larger pieces that are perfect for younger kids to learn the basics of the game.
For those just starting out playing Go, Jigor 19×19 Inch Professional Game Set is an ideal choice with detailed game pieces and a recreation board with grid lines to help rookies learn movement strategies. The QinYi Board Game is another great option as it features folding wooden components that make storage easy which in turn helps students stay focused and motivated to play throughout their journey of learning and mastering the game of go.
When selecting a Go set for beginners, it’s important to keep both aesthetic appeal and practicality at heart. It should be noted that most Go sets require an extra purchase of stones separately to ensure full game functionality, though certain ones such as the QinYi come with enough stones to start playing immediately.
When considering price-range options, both the BOSOBO Board Game Set and UUShine Magnetic Reversible Stoneless Board offer quality build without breaking the bank. Lastly, experienced players looking for portability have an ideal choice in travel sets such as Quezes® Mini Vintage Edition Portable Board Set, while families wanting something flexible for multiple player configurations might prefer the Kitten Tree Foldable Wooden Go Set or four-way starter studio configuration.
Whether you’re just starting out learning how to play go or have been studying the game for decades; there’s a perfectly suited go board out there waiting for you. Whether they come with stones pre-packaged or need to be bought separately; whether they come small enough to fit in your pocket or large enough for eight participants; whatever you need: starter level go boards exist.
From basic wooden board sets offering simple grids all the way up to professional sports performance sized sets providing detailed stones and accessories – finding an ideal beginner’s ask couldn’t be easier today. Take some time exploring what’s available before selecting your first (or maybe 100th) go board set.
I love playing all kinds of games – from classics like Monopoly to modern favourites like Ticket to Ride.
I created this blog as a way to share my love of board games with others, and provide information on the latest releases and news in the industry.
