Election Night At the Brooklyn Go Club + Go Club Review

The Brooklyn Go Club

Meets in Club Members Houses

(Ratings out of 5 *'s)
Average Attendance: ****
Events ***
Equipment ***
Beginner Friendly *****
Player Strength ***
Store *
Refreshments *****
Study Recources ***
Hours **

Overall ***

Smoking: Yes (Not only tobacco :-!)
Entrance Fee : Bring Food


The Brooklyn Go Club is a very interesting club. Unlike the other clubs that I have been at so far, It does not actually have a set location where to meet. Instead, week to week various members voulenteer to have the club meet at their house. And while there is no fee, generally it is expected that you bring food to share with everyone.

This club has a very different atmosphere than other clubs that I have been to, while playing go is an important part of the club, it is not the main aspect. In this club Go is more of a means of interaction as opposed to a main event. This is not a bad thing.

While my reasons for playing Go are to play go, many people like the sense of community that comes with the game. The Social aspect of it. In this Sense the Brooklyn Go Club is a great club to be at. Most of the members have been friends for a long long time, the ones who haven't certainly are not made to feel left out.

I have been only to a few of their meetings, and something that I really enjoyed is playing on all the different equipment. Since the club meets in member's houses, the playing equipment is always interesting to see.

Morrisarian, for example, has so many different boards from his travels. He has a traditional chinese board, with elaborate decorations. As well as a 8 inch thick floor board, that he got from Japan. Anyway the point is that every meeting it is pretty cool to see the different boards and stones that you can play on.

As far as players go, most of them are around Shodan, and the strengths range from beginner to 7d. You will most likely find a game easily, whether you are the teacher, or you are the student depends on the day.

It is actually rather difficult to describe this club with words, as I am not that great of a writer, but let me try to show you what it is like....

Election Night:

As I walked into the Go Club I was greeted by an older woman with a smile on her face. This is Barabara. I gave her some melons I had brought to share with everyone. I walked into the main playing area of her house, and was hit with a sweet smell. Everyone was happy with wine in their hands. Although I was slightly surprised at how relaxed everyone was, After I put down my things, and put some rice and crab balls on my plate, I walked over to the guys that were watching the election on TV and their friendly energy me. They were laughing and cheering everytime an important state was won.

Honestly I had come to play go, so I set out to find a game. Ron Snyder 7d was my opponent. I was surprised at how well I was doing, but I had relaxed too much towards the end, and let a group die. Anyway the onlookers proceeded to make comments on the game.

As more and more people came in to the club (there where about 20 at one point I think) there was more and more laughter. Old friends seeing each other, after either a week or longer I am not sure, either way they were happy.

Everyone was eating, sharing stories, playing go and watching the election. Everyone was jolly with wine. I managed to get a few games in, I was surprised that I was playing shodans even, and doing well. I won 1 lost 2. The house was warm because of the amount of people, and their energy.

When Obama finally got elected Everyone was so happy. The Go Club hugged cheered, dranks and cried.

The whole feeling I got from the place was like a family, like a bunch of old friends.

To sum this review up, the Brooklyn Go Club is a very social club, that is a great deal of fun to be at. The people are great, and the equipment is interesting. While I do not think that this club is meant to be a "study and get better club" it is certainly a "have fun while playing go and talking and laughing with friends club"

Overall : *** (score was brought down due to lack of hours, and a store.


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