Life In 19x19

I play 100% online, so I don't really need equipment.

However, upon seeing this sub-forum, I thought for the nth time "Maybe if I bought a portable board to bring to game reunions I could convince some friends to start playing".

Once again I searched for a portable set. Once again I found it for a price I'm more than wiling to pay. Once again I discovered the price is US-only, which means I'd have to pay double (buying directly to YMI) as Amazon simply tells me "that product is not available in your region".

I'll send a main to my usual board games online store and ask them why do they sell everything, including traditional african games from a lost tribe everyone forgot, but not a go set.

Right. I tried to sell books to retailers in Spain in vain. Ask them to offer something for you and things might change. OTOH, postage from Germany is only EUR 3.45; not too bad. Go equipment is heavier, of course. Have you tried to order from China? I think postage from there is still reasonable.

Alguien wrote:traditional african games from a lost tribe everyone forgot

That's a pretty harsh way to refer to the mancala family... they're decent games you should try them

palapiku wrote:

Alguien wrote:traditional african games from a lost tribe everyone forgot

That's a pretty harsh way to refer to the mancala family... they're decent games you should try them

I know mancala. I had never hear of Seega or Yoté&Dara.

Having those and not go...

Alguien wrote:I play 100% online, so I don't really need equipment.

However, upon seeing this sub-forum, I thought for the nth time "Maybe if I bought a portable board to bring to game reunions I could convince some friends to start playing".

Once again I searched for a portable set. Once again I found it for a price I'm more than wiling to pay. Once again I discovered the price is US-only, which means I'd have to pay double (buying directly to YMI) as Amazon simply tells me "that product is not available in your region".

I'll send a main to my usual board games online store and ask them why do they sell everything, including traditional african games from a lost tribe everyone forgot, but not a go set.

Well, if you are in a city without a major club, then indeed you are in trouble. In Barcelona you can buy sets in many places (the most obvious, the go shop in Gigamesh games, but there are others). It's hard, but not impossible. Just try to buy a shogi board (or god forbid, a shogi book) in Spain

RBerenguel wrote:Well, if you are in a city without a major club, then indeed you are in trouble. In Barcelona you can buy sets in many places (the most obvious, the go shop in Gigamesh games, but there are others).

I'm in Madrid. The Namban club is here (though I've never been there and i don't know if it's "major") but I never thought to contact them to buy a set. Maybe I should go to see an actual real life go board.

I bought a magnetic goban in El Corte Inglés some years ago, and last time I went I saw a whole pack made of recycled wood, that is, board and stones.

Also, take a look at this Spanish retailer:
http://www.inforchess.com/catalogo/Juegos-de-mesa.htm

GO DELUXE
43,89 €
Juego de mesa de estrategia para dos jugadores.
Medidas caja: 42 x 41 x 6 cm.
Medidas del tablero: 40 x 40 cm.
http://www.inforchess.com/juegos/fotosj/JugCayMad/636%20GoDeluxe.jpg

Alguien wrote:I'm in Madrid. The Namban club is here (though I've never been there and i don't know if it's "major") but I never thought to contact them to buy a set. Maybe I should go to see an actual real life go board.

You should definitely visit your local go club, they are probably the best people to ask about getting equipment in Madrid, and if you have the time playing at a club is one of the best ways to improve, because you have easy access to stronger players.