How do you guys deal with living in an igo depraved areas?
I really enjoy playing and studying igo but when there is no one I can play face to face often and the fact that I don't have a teacher makes it very hard to keep pushing myself.
I live in Portland, OR and there are actually a few players who play often but most of them aren't the kind of people that I like spending time with.
The internet is great but I have become fed up with the loneliness of it. No real human interaction most of the time. As we all know playing on a board is much more enjoyable.
I hate to use a HNG reference but it is especially apt, when the old 9 dan pro says that go is a two person game he is definitely speaking the truth. I need someone to push me to get better and help lead the way a little. I am not trying to become a pro but just a competent player that isn't stuck somewhere in SDK.

Any helpful bits of advice would be much appreciated.

Yeah, the DC area is somewhat similar. I've lived a number of places, its hit and miss. Having a buddy to play with isn't bad, but it can get tricky, if you don't progress at the same rate. I think the frustrating thing, is I live in a urban/suburban area yet somehow the people seem less connected. A venue that is only 10 to 15 miles away, might be like a 30 minute commute. There is a Korean cafe/bakery in a near by shopping center near me I am tempted to put out fliers to see if there is any one who might like to play, not that all Koreans like baduke or anything, but I figure it might be worth a shot. I was at the local library, checking out the Go section, there was a flier for a chess club taped over the 794.95 call section, which I thought was a creative way to make contacts. One thing I have noticed is that there seem to be unusually large number of people who are very familiar with the mystique of go, but don't really play it, I guess I'm not one to go around explaining the game to beginners.

There is a Portland go club. Have you tried that?

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Still officially AGA 5d but I play so irregularly these days that I am probably only 3d or 4d over the board (but hopefully still 5d in terms of knowledge, theory and the ability to contribute).

Yes, those were the people I was referring to. It would be great if there was an igo center like in Seattle.

I guess it really depends on your environment. It is definitely possible for people to keep getting better themselves if they are really driven with the resources available today. Yet, having the support of a well established club, center, or school is very valuable.

Well, if go players are not the sort of people you like to spend time with then I guess you have a problem. I enjoyed the one visit I made to the club years ago.

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Still officially AGA 5d but I play so irregularly these days that I am probably only 3d or 4d over the board (but hopefully still 5d in terms of knowledge, theory and the ability to contribute).

All go players aren't the same just like anyone else. Every club has its own personality and its just that the vibe I got at the club wasn't one that befitted me well. For others it might have been the perfect environment for them just not me.

In my personal experience go players don't always make great first impressions. But if you are patient and take time to appreciate their quirks they are often brilliant and original people.

I true that!

In my personal experience, go players in person, as a group, are pretty much one of the most open and welcoming people I have ever met. I always think this is because there are so few of us. But, like with each tight-knit group, the newcomer always has to adjust slightly, even if he is welcomed with open arms. And what's more, its usually up to this newcomer to assimilate into the group, not the other way around.

This is where I have seen a problem sometimes with newcomers, and have even been on the receiving end of that as a newcomer myself. And this is the lesson I have learned: it is the newcomer who has to adjust and try to understand the specific group dynamics and quirks. And once he does, he will be the best bud in no time, and start enjoying the new friendships.

Usually, the group is also open and willing to accommodate the newcomer's quirks, no problem.

In this respect, Go players can really be better than pretty much any other group I have ever been (or tried to be) a part of.
But you have to give a little to get a lot. And trust me - its worth it.

PS>
In the OP's case, if the bridges are really burned, maybe the pool of the club players can still offer at least one which you can make friends with and play outside the club? Just an idea...

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- Bantari
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WARNING: This post might contain Opinions!!

While I appreciate you all trying to make me go back to the club here. The times they meet now are when I have other responsibilities anyways. What I would like to know is how do you all cope with the solitude of being in igo depraved areas? What keeps you motivated ect.?

depraved, eh?

Anyway, the Internet is where I learned go, and it is where I play 95% of my games. I like it just fine. Sure f2f is better, but the Internet doesn't suck.

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- Brady
Want to see videos of low-dan mistakes and what to learn from them? Brady's Blunders

Oh, I see.
Well, in my particular case, Go had to give way to family life, challenging job, and other newer interests. An occasional Go itch can be easily scratched by on-line play.

So, you might say - the issues have not been successfully overcome by me. Even if I do have a good club quite nearby. Although obviously, my issues are different than yours.

Remembering the times when Go was much higher on my life's priorities list, I did things like starting a go Club, blackmailing or bribing my chess/school buddies to play Go, or traveling long distances (on a bike in deep winter) to the closest club. That was before the internet, though, so in modern times I would probably just forge some good friendships on-line and hang out with those folks.

In your particular situation, not knowing exact circumstances, of course - I assume the go-loneliness is not stronger than the dislike you feel towards the club members. Which makes me think: either something really terrible happened to you at the club, or your go-loneliness is not really quite that prominent. If the former - lets us all know, so others can avoid that despicable den of depravity. If the latter - there is really no problem to discuss, I guess.

Hope this helps.

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- Bantari
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WARNING: This post might contain Opinions!!

Yep, those are go players. What did you expect?

Well I'd say that this internet forum can potentially provide this sort of support. I do prefer Internet Go to club Go though.

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I am John. John-I-Am.

Quirky traditionalists can accommodate themselves, because we've got the Internet!

Looking back generally the club location was more important for attendance than anything, since the go was quirky, and there weren't many good match ups, however they usually were a hub of activity in a scenic or entertaining location. In the DC area the clubs tend to be in cramped basements in churches or libraries. So yeah I can get a nice game in on my front steps with my iPad.

depraved? really?
The Portland area has a lot of active go players. Surely you should be able to find a few you can get along with.

The Willamette Valley mailing list should be a good resource to keep aware of local activities.

One of my usual ice breakers when meeting new players is asking whether there is a club they go to. Very often in the U.S. the answer is no or (more often) yes, but I don't go---it's too far, has an inconvenient schedule, etc.

So although lonely, you are not alone.

For me, in person play always was and continues to be a chance to broaden my own social skills and learn to have conversations with people of different ages, backgrounds, personalities and native languages. At first, it seemed intimidating to me. I assumed I had nothing in common with many players. But of course, we all have Go in common, and that makes a big difference.

The only advice I can give regarding this uneasiness is just...keep...showing...up. Soon enough it will seem normal. Be sincerely unfazed.

"Nothing shocks me. I'm a scientist." -Indiana Jones

Actually, DC is pretty flush with players. The NOVA club, the GWGC, and then the Korean clubs in Annandale...

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Tactics yes, Tact no...

There are the US GO congresses right? I'm wonder that you have this feeling.

Or you guys could visit China, Korea and Japan. Maybe you would have a good game on the pavement with a stranger in a good mood!

North Virgina, Annandale, Bethesda, what is this NASCAR?

If this were NASCAR, they'd be out in Richmond or Delaware.

Incidentally, what sort of venue would you prefer a club have?