This is one of the few Go sets that reaches into 'reasonably priced' territory. One could easily spend a small fortune on a set. This one is very fairly priced, comes with a pretty solid wooden board and nice fascimile playing pieces. Anyone looking to get into Go would benefit from buying this inexpensive set.The one downside is the lack of adequate containment for the stones. They come in two small plastic bags. You're going to want some small bowls or sealable containers to hold them.
If you're looking for a lifelong hobby, this is the game for you. OR, if you don't want to take it seriously at all, and don't really care about deep strategies... well, this is STILL the game for you. Whether or not you'll have fun playing go, really only depends on whether or not both players have more or less the same mindset (otherwise the person taking it seriously will simply slaughter the person not taking it seriously, every time, which probably won't be much fun for that other person.)
Go is a great game for most ages, and pretty much people of all levels of "taking it seriously". Go is very flexible that way. In fact, since you can actually study this game, you can even work out go problems all by yourself, making it a possible solitary activity for people who like brainy things. (You can get books of go problems to work out on the board, or re-play the games of professionals to improve your own understanding, both of which are solitary activities.) Some strange ducks even like playing against themselves. ^_-
THAT BEING SAID...
For some people, about half or three quarters of the enjoyment of playing a game (especially an ancient game like this) comes from the quality and looks of the equipment, and the ease of use, such as comfort of the size of the equipment when playing. If you don't care about stuff like that, then this board might do for you. For others, playing on something much smaller than "the real thing" can really cut down or ruin the experience of the game itself. (And you really do not have to be rich to get a "nice" set, either. If by nice, you mean something simply something full sized and not embarrassing to look at.)
What about a set like this?
Sets like this are typically very, very small. The board is small, the pieces are small... so basically, it's "ladies and gentlemen, find your tweezers." The experience playing with a set like this, therefore, is really something quite different from sitting at a full-sized board with full-sized pieces... even if you put aside the quality of the full-sized equipment. Keep in mind a "REAL" go board is a really fat, short TABLE, made of wood, designed with even acoustics in mind! Compare that to something like a travel set or this set, and it's going to feel like a totally different atmosphere.
If you can't stand it when the pieces are even remotely small, then this, and sets like it, are probably not for you. If you don't care about size, then this may suit your needs. But for someone like me, who is keenly aware of the equipment being used (even if I don't HATE small pieces, per se), it may be the difference between feeling like you're playing with a toy, or like you're playing a respectable old game for all ages.
Now for something beginners may not know.
There are also actually THREE sizes of go board that are pretty much universally recognized: 9x9, 13x13 and 19x19. The 19x19 is the "real" size... the board professionals play, but the smaller boards are more suitable for beginners, and probably for young children. More standard-sized pieces could also be less of a choking hazard, and easier for kids and adults alike to handle. But the 9x9 and 13x13 boards are often used by (and recommended for) beginners or children... who, even if they take the game dead-seriously, would then need to work on their basic skills before starting on broader strategy (full board).
ALSO, consider what you really want from this game. Is it for you, or for your kids? Is it something you'll take seriously, or just use to pass the time? ... then consider your other options than this set:
1. smaller grids (9x9 or 13x13)... which are cheaper than the 19x19 boards, even when made of wood.
2. plastic rather than glass, marble or shell pieces. Plastic pieces come in regular size, but may be better for kids to play with than say, glass pieces. also less breakable!
OR, if you don't care about size or quality at all, what about...
3. Roll-up boards, or printed and laminated paper boards... You'd only have to buy good pieces then!
4. travel or magnetic sets, which would be cheaper than this board, albeit smaller. Yellow Mountain Imports sells a nice 11" magnetic set for $11.99 without shipping, last time I saw it.
FINAL CONCLUSION:
Sets like these are a cheap, "hassle free" way to get everything you need to play or try the game... but then so are magnetic sets for nearly half this price.
However, if you are sensitive to aesthetics and quality, and you want something that feels and looks nicer to play with, or that gives something more of the "real" experience of the game, then you might want to consider buying the board and pieces separately. There are fairly cheap wooden boards (albeit thin and sometimes unfinished), that are full size, and offer a pretty good experience, even if they're far from top-of-the-line. And I've seen pieces for $7.99!
Really, though, the bottom line is the matter of what will suit your personal needs. The answer will be different if it's you or your kids, if you're picky or not picky, if you're poor or rolling in cash. In at least some of those cases, this kind of set is not exactly the best you can do, even for the money. Go "sets" in general, tend to be smaller scale, with smaller pieces. A set like this is "quick and easy" ... but experience may suffer for it's smallness, and kids may loose the smaller pieces easily. Smaller children may even be overwhelmed by the size of the board, and the freedom of the play on a full-sized board. So whether or not this set will do for you will depend on what you are looking for personally, how much you can spend, and what, if anything, you're willing to overlook.
I'm not trying to bash this set at all, really. Just saying that size may be an issue for some people, and that there are many things to consider in one's choice. But as a go set, I'd give it three stars, ONLY because it's both smaller than normal, and obviously also a low quality set (as they go in the full range of equipment). For some people, it may be absolutely fine to suit their personal taste or needs. Low quality doesn't always mean a bad experience. For many people, after all, wood is just wood, and pieces are pieces, and size doesn't matter at all.
Buy Go Game with Wood Board Now
I bought mine some years ago, just the box art tells you what you will find, the board is ample, the beads are plastics but very solid, the wood is supreme... I noticed it was out-of-stock for some years, good to see it back
If you are looking for a durable Go board, this is a good choise
Read Best Reviews of Go Game with Wood Board Here
We like this game.The instructions are clear and play can begin quickly after reading them with out a lot of refering back.The wooden board is sturdy,but the plastic pieces feel a little cheesey.It would be nice if the game came with a couple small pouches to keep the playing pieces separate.
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The stones on this game are too small... as is the board.The stones are difficult to hold and place... and as a musician, I have decent fine motor coordination.I was disappointed
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