Is the estimate button in certain go clients an unfair advantage for ddk and other kyu players? I have heard it said that all weak players need is reading, but I find myself using that estimate button like a mouse in a science experiment trying to get cheese.

IMHO..The estimate button not surprisingly does not estimate very well. I highly recommend trying to kick the habit of using that button.

again just my opinion... as a long time barely sdk I do not claim to know anything about this game

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I'm thinking...

I love that button on Tygem/WBaduk.

I agree, that to some extent it does fail, though at the same time it sort of draws attention to certain areas that are weak, also I find that on occasion I make plays that solidify territory that I would normally consider kikashi, just so that the estimator won't be off.

You don't have any control over what tools others use against you online. Nor do they have any control over you. Just remember that if you use them you have a rank based on that use. Nothing intrinsically wrong in that as the opponent is getting a known entity - a rank based on the way you are likely to be playing against them. But don't try to translate that rank into the real world if you enter a tournament.

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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).

I agree, though in its defense most online games don't really allow for the positional judgement in terms of time limits, so it is nice to be able to actually see a game progress in a balanced manner with full board development, like I see in books.

If you practice a bit, you can get counting down to < 30 seconds.