Go Etiquette and Elegance

[@JBBell]

"It's about making a human connection." Yes! So true. Go is a way to encounter and know another person's mind in a really pure way. I love that about it.

[@GoMagic]

Same here. Go is a really beatiful way of spending time with someone and getting to know them.

[@isaacm5927]

"it's about making human connections." and connections make life!

[@nguyeninhhung8293]

@@isaacm5927 woah, profound.

[@zsoltorban]

As always, nicely presented! Thank you!

[@GoMagic]

❤️

[@cchimozmin]

I love this ! It really adds to the gravitas of the game. I'd love you to do a video on the accessories and culture of playing go. The gobans - how they are laid out (the squares aren't really squares but rectangles and which way they should be orientated. The mats, rugs and cushions and covers. Maintenance. Ideal table layout. Playing sitting on the floor etc. I'm fascinated but can't find any videos with the information. Love your videos. Love the website and courses. Thank you so much xx

[@GoMagic]

Hmmm interesting, we'll think about it, maybe one day...

[@cchimozmin]

@@GoMagic Thank you. I appreciate your time :)😊

[@ziomatthewmusic4205]

This has really bugged me since a few days ago when I started watching your videos. I wondered why you placed stones like that, was it etiquette or practical so thanks for this video. Also why everyone seemed to go in the top right when every corner should be equal. Was it just coincidence or a thing people do. So interesting.

[@ngiorgos]

How do you usually start your games? Do you shake hands? Do you bow? What do you say? Have fun? Good luck? Onegaishimasu?

[@phelan_pt]

Depends on the context, but any of those are ok. The important thing is to be polite. I usually say "Have a good/nice game"

[@eeneranna9795]

"Sup bitch. Let's play some motherfucking Go."

[@Rüstik_Wüdworks]

Thank you for this channel, it is very helpful...new to the game.

[@GoMagic]

...and now you know how to play gracefully like a prince =)

[@TheWorstWurst]

I implemented these etiquettes in other games also. Chess, Magic the Gathering and other board games. And it's funny how suprised my oppenents are by me just wishing us "a good game". There is this desperate wish inside alot of players to win. Win fast and hard. I enjoy the clever turns, the decisions that were made, regardless which turn it is. Part of why i love Go so much.

[@GoMagic]

Yeah, wishing a good game is a very nice touch in any game.

[@arjunkhandelwal9174]

If you're playing chess opponents shouldn't be surprised by basic etiquette. In chess its common to start with "all the best" and a handshake and then starting your opponents clock. Obviously other rules like not talking during the game are followed. And yeah usually once you end the game you have a little post-mortem with them.

[@Boredom_Incarnate]

I've heard before that it's proper to take the corners/sides closest to yourself first, since if you take the ones closest to your opponent you're making them reach across the board to the spots closest to you. How does that interact with the idea of taking the corner closest to their heart? Differing schools of thought, maybe?

[@GoMagic]

Never heard this but it actually sounds quite reasonable! Not sure. I guess whatever you play, there's room to be satisfied or dissatisfied. Anyway, the first corner to play is not the most critical rule.

[@jeanwilcox3464]

Thank you for this video ❤

[@GoMagic]

You're very welcome!

[@josboersema1352]

Hello, About how to hold the stone, I always assumed this rule was made to prevent someone from holding a stone in the natural way between thumb and fingers with your wrist pointing at your opponent, because that will obstruct his view. It gets worse when an opponent is hovering over the board that way, which they also might accidentally do if they suddenly see a problem while playing and want to rethink for a second.

[@GoMagic]

Well yes, the traditional method of holding a stone between your index and middle finger is partly about elegance, but also about keeping the board unobstructed and the game flowing smoothly.

[@peskarius-1]

1st move should be Tengen move to show opponent what are you thinking about him and his skills ) Are there any lessons about counting in future? Cause me and other newbies play till the end cause lack of counting skill

[@GoMagic]

We might make something in the future. For now there is a course on Go Magic about that. gomagic.org/courses/score-estimation/ It's not free unfortunately.

[@dangianfagna]

I enjoyed this video. Thank you for the quality content. Squash currently needs a similar video right now.

[@GoMagic]

Every sport might use a video like this. Can't overestimate the value of being polite...

[@bessermt]

If I want to learn how to end a game and I know I've lost, is it better to ask permission to finish a game I would otherwise admit defeat or should I just keep playing?

[@GoMagic]

If you’re in a game where you know you’ve lost but want to keep playing to learn and practice the endgame, it’s totally okay to ask your opponent if they mind continuing. Most Go players understand the value of learning through experience, and many will be happy to oblige. Just be polite and explain that you’re trying to improve your endgame skills. You can also just keep playing without asking-especially in casual games or online matches. However, in a more formal setting, like a tournament, it’s generally expected that you resign if the outcome is clear. 😌

[@bessermt]

@@GoMagic Well, I don't think I'll ever be good enough to play in a tournament... :-) I was more thinking online games with people I don't actually meet, especially from other countries. I was nervous to keep playing online after I clearly lost thinking it might be rude or annoying to them. I still might ask politely anyway, even if not required. Thank you. That is very helpful.

[@GoMagic]

Don't worry about that at all! Playing online, especially with people from around the world, is a great way to improve and enjoy Go. Most players understand that we're all learning and trying our best, and losing is just part of the process. 👍

[@da47934]

How do you communicate that you pass, or that you resign? Just by saying "pass" and "I resign?"

[@GoMagic]

That's right. There are a few other ways to communicate resignation. Some players might gently place two stones on the board, a traditional gesture that signals resignation without words. Others might simply stop the game clock or bow slightly if you're playing in person-both of these actions are understood as a sign of resignation.

[@technopasha]

Great job!

[@GoMagic]

Thaaaanks!

[@aonkenpuntaarenas5598]

Muchas gracias

[@GoMagic]

De nada =)

[@wilthomas]

do you just say "i resign" if you know you've been beaten? i read somewhere placing two stones on the board means you've surrendered.

[@GoMagic]

There are several ways to signal resignation. The most straightforward and universally understood method is simply to declare, "I resign." More subtle approaches, which might be more common in Eastern cultures, include placing two stones on the board simultaneously (making an illegal move), returning one or more captured stones to the board, or placing a stone inside a square instead of at an intersection.

[@kishascape]

You can also do like Shogi players and instead of sliding the index finger move it out of way at just the right time for nice board clack.

[@GoMagic]

Love that sound

[@kishascape]

@@GoMagic indeed :3 I have a maple Shogi board with Go on the back and the slate stones sound so good.

[@GoMagic]

Wow! 🤩

[@AdeebaZamaan]

I'm not a very good player, but when I sat down to play with Scott, he blew my mind by plopping his first stone right down in the middle. Turns out that's a Chinese move.

[@GoMagic]

There is no rule against playing ANY point first...so if the move makes you feel good, just play it

[@tesilab994]

Maybe when you make a gesture to indicate a “just a bit of practice” you could have chosen to use the index and middle finger, instead of the index and thumb, which in this case was exactly antithetical to what you were saying to do!

[@GoMagic]

Huh? Why? Index finger and thumb don't indicate "a bit of practice?" =)

[@tesilab994]

@@GoMagic you don’t see an irony of using the thumb and forefinger to make a gesture related to practicing how NOT using the thumb and forefinger?

[@GoMagic]

Oh...that! Let's call it sarcasm then =)

[@jhoxSPIELE]

👍

[@haimzamir4361]

Telling someone they can finish the game "if they want to", you should have clarified that they should first know or establish if their opponent is on board with that.

[@GoMagic]

not sure what you mean here

[@haimzamir4361]

@@GoMagic Simple matter of Go Etiquette, a newer player may wish to explore the options, making moves in a lost cause, but the other player may not wish to waste his time fending off hopeless invasions, for example.

[@lonelysonofgod97]

Very good channel, Im a chess player. I mada a GO board at home... 9 by 9 ona cartboard.

[@GoMagic]

Thank you! Enjoy your games :)

[@Thaumiel_Realm]

🙏🏽

[@VerticalBlank]

I've always been aware of the etiquette of taking the stones between the index and middle finger, but I've always felt physically very uncomfortable having the stone on top of my fingernail. The finger pads are for grasping, not the finger nails. So I'm afraid I'm going to be a gaijin and use my index finger and (shock) my opposable thumb, the digit that we expressively evolved for the purpose of fine control when grasping something. I love Japanese culture and Asian culture in general, but sometimes it is just crazy bonkers and I'm not embarrassed to call it.

[@GoMagic]

When you get into the habit of doing it this way, you wouldn't want to do it any other way =)

[@ankherin4360]

You first grasp it between your thumb and index finger (+ middle finger sometimes), when you take it from the bowl, then you slide it ^^ It's way more comfortable to put it on the board that way. It's not a question of doing it for the sake of it, it really is better. So if having it on the fingernail really is unbearable, just don't do it, it's fine. There's no super important symbolic or anything.

[@bitti1975]

You place the stones with middle and index finger, but you don't grab them like that! It's not like eating with chopsticks. It's one thing seeing beginners to make this mistake, but in an instructional video it's disappointing.

[@GoMagic]

It's more important to avoid mistakes on the Go board, right? =)

[@bitti1975]

@@GoMagic Yes, but the point of the Video was "Etiquette and Elegance"

[@GoMagic]

fair point =)

[@O-01-45]

How would someone pick up the stone from the bowl?

[@bitti1975]

@@O-01-45 Just the way you would naturally do it. I.e. between thumb and two or three fingers, like middle and index finger. Getting it from there between index and middle finger while placing it on the board is a very natural movement with a little practice (usually the stone rotates upside down when doing that). If it feels awkward, it's not right.