Do you count?

[DrStraw]

I am not asking if you can count a game, I am asking if you do.

As most of you will know, I wrote what has become a very popular set of lessons on how to count. But I almost never count a game. Sure I know how to, and if I think a game is very close I can count it down to the last half point. But these days it all seems like too much effort. I play for fun and just about never think for more than 5 seconds on a more, even on DGS. If my intuition is not enough to win a game then I don't worry myself about it.

Of course, this is one reason I have not improved in twenty years.

[Stable]

I'm trying to learn at the moment. So I do, but I'm not so sure that I can.

[Phelan]

Only 9x9 games so far. In other sizes I mostly estimate visually. I very rarely count on larger boards.

[kirkmc]

I do, and I do often. Your lessons got me started, and some other stuff I read about counting convinced me. I count around the middle game, and use my counts to determine whether I should play aggressive or solid from that point on.

[topazg]

I do, and do often as well. Everytime I don't I hear Kageyama shouting at me

[shapenaji]

In most games I don't. In tournaments I try to, but often get caught up in the play and forget.

I want to do it more, it's a patience issue more than anything else... I usually want to spend my time finding the best moves, not necessarily assessing the state of the game.

I worry about getting too passive though, if I read the game as me ahead by X points, It's sometimes dangerous to say "well, I'm ahead here, so I can play safe"

[mic]

I do, and I do often. Your lessons got me started, and some other stuff I read about counting convinced me. I count around the middle game, and use my counts to determine whether I should play aggressive or solid from that point on.

Could you elaborate about the "other stuff"?

Mic

[kirkmc]

I do, and I do often. Your lessons got me started, and some other stuff I read about counting convinced me. I count around the middle game, and use my counts to determine whether I should play aggressive or solid from that point on.

Could you elaborate about the "other stuff"?

Mic

I don't recall where I read other things about counting, but certainly in a couple of books. Topazg says Kageyama, so I probably read it in one of his books.

[daal]

I'm trying to learn at the moment. So I do, but I'm not so sure that I can.

I went through Dr. Straw's counting lessons - http://senseis.xmp.net/?SteveFawthrop%2FCounting - for those who may be interested - when I was a ddk, and found it too difficult to distinguish between probable and possible territory (definite, while easier, often turned out wrong). I've tried to do it while watching other peoples games, but during my own games I've never come close to making an accurate count.

The main reason that I don't count though, is because I don't think I'mgood enough to alter my strategy to suit the situation. Basically, I just try to do my best the whole game.

[Magicwand]

i only count on close game.
when i am winning by more than 10 pts i can usually feel that i am winning by enough margin so i usually dont count.

[shapenaji]

I'm trying to learn at the moment. So I do, but I'm not so sure that I can.

I went through Dr. Straw's counting lessons - http://senseis.xmp.net/?SteveFawthrop%2FCounting - for those who may be interested - when I was a ddk, and found it too difficult to distinguish between probable and possible territory (definite, while easier, often turned out wrong). I've tried to do it while watching other peoples games, but during my own games I've never come close to making an accurate count.

The main reason that I don't count though, is because I don't think I'mgood enough to alter my strategy to suit the situation. Basically, I just try to do my best the whole game.

That's a really useful link, I'm going to try some of those counting strategies. Thanks DrStraw for doing this in the first place.

[Andreas]

I rarely count in casual internet games, I do more often in serious games with longer time limits (german league, I used to in turn based games)

[freegame]

usually I don't count but make a rough estimate that is usually pretty close.
occasionally when I play a tournament game and I feel it's quite close I count to see if I really need to go all out or if I can play "that extra defensive move just to be sure"

[DrStraw]

That's a really useful link, I'm going to try some of those counting strategies. Thanks DrStraw for doing this in the first place.

You mean you have only just discovered them! Those were done eight years ago and I haven't even looked as most of them since then.

[SoDesuNe]

I wholeheartedly counted twice in my so far Go-career. Both times, I got way off (one time I even resigned because I think, I got destroyed but could have won).

So, the answer is, since then I didn't counted once. (To answer the indirect question, it seems I can't count anyway : D)