Play with a fan?

[Solomon]

I do have a couple of fans, even one signed by Chang Hao 9p, but I don't use them in tournaments. However, when I hold one while I play online, I tend to notice that I take my games more seriously. The power of the placebo effect.

[tj86430]

My club meets at the local pub. I can imagine the looks of the regular patrons if I brought a fan.

[tchan001]

I have some fans but I don't play with them. One of these days, I'll have to show pics of them on my blog

[xed_over]

I have several, and one signed by Yoda (a souvenir fan, not personally signed by him, I'm sure)

But I don't use them when playing go, I only use them at work because they still run the heater when its only a little cool outside.

[Mcgreag]

No pro signatures here but I do have one signed by Yumi Hotta. Only used it during the 2008 EGC in Leksand because it was so hot.

[Hagios]

No fans, I used to fiddle with a puzzle box during games in order to keep my hands off of my mouse/out of the bowl of stones. It worked. I recall reading about Cho Chikun having a penchant for fiddling with matchsticks during a game.

[tchan001]

I have several, and one signed by Yoda (a souvenir fan, not personally signed by him, I'm sure)

But I don't use them when playing go, I only use them at work because they still run the heater when its only a little cool outside.

I think the fans sold by Nihon Kiin are normally personally signed by the pros. Just that the calligraphy associated with the name is usually printed. But if you bought a fan from that is signed by say Doseki, then I'd say it's probably most likely printed if you didn't pay dearly for it.

[xed_over]

I have several, and one signed by Yoda (a souvenir fan, not personally signed by him, I'm sure)

I think the fans sold by Nihon Kiin are normally personally signed by the pros. Just that the calligraphy associated with the name is usually printed.

Sure, I understand that its his real signature, but being mass reproduced is still just not the same as having an item personally signed.

Its still my favorite fan

[cdybeijing]

In all of my visits to the local go salons in Beijing, I have never seen anyone hold or use a fan while playing.

[Elesthor]

In all of my visits to the local go salons in Beijing, I have never seen anyone hold or use a fan while playing.

Maybe something particular to french player ? =)

[schultz]

I don't use one (or have one), but I have a friend that has one and will use it while playing. He likes it because it helps give him a little better focus (or so he says). Jokes around and claims it is a 3-stone boost to his play.

Whereas, one of our friends has a cat, and this same friend claims it is a 3-stone handicap when she's sitting in your lap.

[Phelan]

That's the "You're a kitty!" effect from xkcd.

[Magicwand]

i tried it few times in the tornament but it was distracting my reading and lost all my games. since then i stopped.

[HKA]

Pretty much all the time.

Yes I know it is an affectation, I think a Japanese one, but I have been doing it for a long time.

Aside from the affected "coolness" it has been useful. I used to be a fast player, and I still am pretty fast and fairly intuitive for good or ill, so holding a fan keeps my hands off the stones or the mouse. It has stopped some knee jerk mistakes.

I am also fairly fidgety, and it is nice to have something social acceptable to fidget with.

Rarely, very rarely, it is useful as a fan.

[schultz]

this same friend claims it is a 3-stone handicap when she's sitting in your lap.

Having friends sitting in ones lap can be quite disturbing...

Seriously...I don't know how many times I re-worded that sentence. Took such a long time to figure it out and post it. And I still fail. Hooray.

And here's to you: