When to venture online and where?

[NPW]

Hello there - my daughter (15) and I have both taken up Go - she sees things much quicker than me but I will study harder to catch up!


Anyway we both use SmartGo for 9x9 games against the program and also to challenge each other.

We have also both got the SmartGo versions of Learn to play Go by Janice Kim and Vol 1 of Graded Go Problems.

When do you recommend we consider playing online - we don't want to just go online and lose every single game we play so is there a way of knowing when we would be ready - perhaps at a certain level on the SmartGo program?

Also when we play online where would be the best choice for us?

We are both interested in trying to improve at this fascinating game.

[TheBigH]

I'm not familiar with SmartGo, but I'd say that if you've played a few games on 19x19 against each other you're definitely able to play online.

I play on KGS and I quite like it. After you play some games your rank adjusts itself to a level where you're winning about half your games. So don't worry about losing every game you play. There's also some very, very stupid computer programs there; including one that can recognize when it's in atari and will try to get out but otherwise just plays randomly. You can't lose to it unless you really try.

Welcome to the forums.

[p2501]

There are always a lot of beginners out there, so just jump right in and go from there. No need to be scared. You will soon zero in on your playing level where you'll win about 50% of your games.

I would recommend DGS, you don't have to be concerned about thinking time and there are plenty of beginners.
http://www.dragongoserver.net

If you want to play realtime games, try KGS. I don't play there myself, but from what I've read, people speak english and are helpful.
http://www.gokgs.com

[msgreg]

There are always a lot of beginners out there, so just jump right in and go from there. No need to be scared. You will soon zero in on your playing level where you'll win about 50% of your games.

I would recommend DGS, you don't have to be concerned about thinking time and there are plenty of beginners.
http://www.dragongoserver.net

If you want to play realtime games, try KGS. I don't play there myself, but from what I've read, people speak english and are helpful.
http://www.gokgs.com

These are very good suggestions and perhaps the best places to start for English-speaking beginners. On KGS, if you are losing a lot, you may consider playing an easy robot player for confidence (but many will likely suggest to not get too used to playing bots, as your game will suffer).

This Sensei's Library page on KGS bots might be helpful. But you could start with IdiotBot, WeakBot50k, HelloBot, and SimpleBot perhaps in that order. Mix with a lot of human opponents and by the time you are winning against SimpleBot, you can probably leave the bots behind.

[Twitchy Go]

As has been previously mentioned, KGS is a very beginner friendly server. Many of the stronger players would be happy to help you out with game reviews/teaching games. Particularly good places to find these charitable chaps are the KGS Teaching Ladder, and of course the L19x19 Room.

[emeraldemon]

I also recommend both DGS and KGS. If you want to start a teaching game with me on DGS, send me a PM and I'll help you get set up

As Twitchy Go mentioned, stop by the L19x19 room on KGS and someone can give a real-time teaching game if you want.

[MS_Sydney]

In addition to the above, I can say that I've been treated quite well as a beginner on kaya.gs so far.

The server doesn't have a whole lot of beginners, but there is a strong core of DDK & SDK players who are frankly enthusiastic about coaching beginners.

[Xa17u]

Seconding kaya. It's quickly becoming the best server there is simply by virtue of actually being constantly upgraded.

[Twitchy Go]

In respect to kaya. I've had pleasant experiences playing there but it is a very new server(either still in beta, or just out of it. I can't recall).
So while I'd say it's a server to know about KGS is probably going to be easier to get games on, it being a much older server.

[otenki]

http://www.tygemgo.com/ If you are in for style go

Cheers,
Otenki

[LoneWolf]

This Sensei's Library page on KGS bots might be helpful. But you could start with IdiotBot, WeakBot50k, HelloBot, and SimpleBot perhaps in that order. Mix with a lot of human opponents and by the time you are winning against SimpleBot, you can probably leave the bots behind.

You might not find those bots online at the moment. They've been offline since 02-12-12. The next weakest bot appears to be mfgo18kyu. You'll still be able to find other beginner human opponents though.

I don't suppose anyone knows if the weaker bots will be back? They were a good way for beginners to get a rank.

[EdLee]

Welcome to Go and this forum. I recommend IGS (the gIgo client), KGS, and this forum.
Each server (like any other Go server) has its own pluses and minuses --
you have to experiment and experience them to find out which one(s) you like.
I like all three (IGS, KGS, and this forum), for different reasons. Good luck.

[gowan]

I'm surprised that no one mentioned the Beginners' Room on KGS. I guess that would be a good place for finding supportive people.

[karaklis]

I recommend IGS (the gIgo client)

I would add to this that you can start playing competetive games on IGS (17k) after you have achieved around 10k on KGS. If you start on IGS, be prepared to get smashed for the next hundred games or so.

[phrax]

I recommend IGS (the gIgo client)

I would add to this that you can start playing competetive games on IGS (17k) after you have achieved around 10k on KGS. If you start on IGS, be prepared to get smashed for the next hundred games or so.

But oh the things you'll learn