Bad judgement, but good (reading or something else??)

[NoSkill]

My opinion...
In review i'm told...
Someone has told me...

What was/were the level(s) of the reviewer(s)? The "someone" or some people?

around 4D

[EdLee]

around 4D

See Loon's suggestions, Post #7.
In China, some amateur 6 dans are at or near pro level (even game or 0.5 komi), so some 4 dans in China are 3 stones from pro.
On systems with amateur 8 or 9 dans, some 4 dans are 5 stones from pro. There's a gap.
You could be very accurate about your own assessment (Post #10)... or not. What if you're way off?

[RobertJasiek]

Pro playing strength is no guarantee for better teaching quality. Stronger teaching by players with amateur playing strength is possible.

[NoSkill]

I wouldnt mind getting a pro to review my game for 10-20$, but usually that is too cheap. And I dont think a 6D can hit all the points I need... anyone know a 8D+ kgs that goes sgf reviews?

[RobertJasiek]

And I dont think a 6D can hit all the points I need...

No single teacher can because every teacher has his weaknesses. Try several teachers and learn from the one telling you the most (for your money)!

[NoSkill]

And I dont think a 6D can hit all the points I need...

No single teacher can because every teacher has his weaknesses. Try several teachers and learn from the one telling you the most (for your money)!

When my budget is 250 or 300$ it is alot harder..

[Tami]

It sounds like you have unbalanced skills. You`re good at some things and not so hot at others.

I have two different suggestions you might like to consider:

* work on your weaknesses and turn them into strengths - maybe read again Otake`s fuseki book, or maybe In the Beginning, or indeed any other good book about the opening
* focus on your strengths - try to set up immediate fighting

Maybe if you're getting into trouble because you're not thinking things through first, then...think things through first. Cross your arms or sit on your hands.

[NoSkill]

It sounds like you have unbalanced skills. You`re good at some things and not so hot at others.

I have two different suggestions you might like to consider:

* work on your weaknesses and turn them into strengths - maybe read again Otake`s fuseki book, or maybe In the Beginning, or indeed any other good book about the opening
* focus on your strengths - try to set up immediate fighting

Maybe if you're getting into trouble because you're not thinking things through first, then...think things through first. Cross your arms or sit on your hands.

I think the last part is the most helpful to me. I just need to take my time and think out the opening.

When I think in the opening I do it quick... example:

"Oh he approached.. my stones are on the other side so i will pincer." /plays

I might think "hmm what pincer is better for this situation" but nothing beyond, okay what happens after? And alot of times I don't know the joseki for the move so I end up dieing .

[SmoothOper]

Just make your opponents play with handicaps that way you can maintain your ranking without having to learn fuseki. After all if you can beat a 9kyu with 9 stones handicap you must be a 1dan.

[NoSkill]

Just make your opponents play with handicaps that way you can maintain your ranking without having to learn fuseki. After all if you can beat a 9kyu with 9 stones handicap you must be a 1dan.

9 kyu with 9 stones is much easier than beating a 1D even

[SoDesuNe]

"Oh he approached.. my stones are on the other side so i will pincer." /plays

I might think "hmm what pincer is better for this situation" but nothing beyond, okay what happens after? And alot of times I don't know the joseki for the move so I end up dieing :D.

Maybe you could watch In-seong's two ASR-lectures on both opening and middlegame. He explains very well how to decide when to pincer and when to defend the corner, for instance.

http://yunguseng.com/lectures.html

[SmoothOper]

Just make your opponents play with handicaps that way you can maintain your ranking without having to learn fuseki. After all if you can beat a 9kyu with 9 stones handicap you must be a 1dan.

9 kyu with 9 stones is much easier than beating a 1D even

I prefer playing even games myself, the fuseki is the best part. However I tend to get board part of the way through when I clobbered them in the opening. However the low approach to the 4-4 is just so effective.

[NoSkill]

"Oh he approached.. my stones are on the other side so i will pincer." /plays

I might think "hmm what pincer is better for this situation" but nothing beyond, okay what happens after? And alot of times I don't know the joseki for the move so I end up dieing .

Maybe you could watch In-seong's two ASR-lectures on both opening and middlegame. He explains very well how to decide when to pincer and when to defend the corner, for instance.

http://yunguseng.com/lectures.html

Oh i know about those. I really love his lectures

[xed_over]

Maybe if you're getting into trouble because you're not thinking things through first, then...think things through first. Cross your arms or sit on your hands.

I think the last part is the most helpful to me. I just need to take my time and think out the opening.

when I'm recording high level games at tournaments, like the US Go Congress, often I'll see players spend 5 minutes or more on move 1.

[EdLee]

When my budget is 250 or 300$ it is alot harder..

Yes.

I wouldnt mind getting a pro to review my game for 10-20$... goes sgf reviews?

One downside of SGF reviews is no real-time interaction. If you have any questions,
if something is unclear to you, you cannot ask in real-time.
Same for the teacher -- to ask you questions, to have a dialogue, in real-time.

Also, one game is nowhere enough. Not even 10 games are anywhere close to enough.
(At least, not for mid-dans or below, IMO.)

Just like piano or language lessons. 10 lessons? There are probably exceptional
cases where someone around these levels can make a big leap in 10 lessons.
But that seems to be really the exception, not the norm. Again, YMMV.

You know by now there's no short-cut to Go. Should you find a really
good teacher who can help you make a big improvement in 10 lessons or less,
(say, an average of 3 game reviews per lesson, that's _only_ 30 game reviews)
you'll likely be very happy to share the experience with us here,
and that teacher most likely wouldn't mind your endorsement.

Good luck.