A Go board is a grid of lines, and the choice is mostly about thickness, size and storage. Wooden and bamboo boards give a solid surface for stones, while thin veneer boards with drawers suit small tables and travel.
The six sets below cover a thin 9×9 beginner board, reversible 19×19 and 13×13 bamboo boards, and two compact 12 inch sets with pull-out drawers. Sizes and stones come from each listing page and are the makers’ own. We have not used these sets ourselves.
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What to Look For
| Feature | Why it matters |
|---|---|
| Grid | 19×19 is standard; 13×13 and 9×9 are shorter games |
| Thickness | Thicker boards sit solid on a table |
| Material | Bamboo strips, beechwood veneer or solid wood |
| Storage | Drawers or bowls keep stones together |
Specs at a Glance
| Set | Board | Stones | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| WE Games 12 in | Almost 12 in; 19 lines; wood veneer | Listed unit count 365 | Pull-out storage drawers |
| YMI bamboo 0.8 in | 18.6 x 17.4 x 0.8 in; reversible 19×19 and 13×13 | 181 black and 180 white melamine | Bamboo bowls; felt sleeve; vinyl case |
| Agirlgle 12 in | 12 in; 19×19; wood | 361 black and white resin | Two drawers |
| YMI beechwood 9×9 | 9.84 x 9.25 x 0.39 in; veneer | 181 black and 180 white melamine | Felt bottom; two plastic bowls |
| YMI bamboo 2 in | 18.5 x 17.4 x 2 in; reversible | Double convex melamine | Set weighs 9 kg; bowls, sleeve, bag |
| YMI bamboo drawers | 12.7 x 12.2 x 2.7 in; 19×19 | 181 black and 180 white double convex | Set 5.3 lb; includes a beginner book |
The 6 Best Wooden Go Boards
1. WE Games Go Game Set 12 Inch
A wood veneer goban with a 19 line grid that the listing says measures almost 12 inches, with pull-out storage drawers. The overview shows a unit count of 365, so check the exact stone count before you rely on it.
Suits: a compact tabletop set. Strengths: built-in drawers. Weaknesses: loose size and stone detail. Skip it if you want a full-size board.
View WE Games 12 in wood veneer Go set with drawers on Amazon
2. Yellow Mountain Imports Bamboo 0.8-Inch Go Set
A reversible bamboo board with 19×19 on one side and 13×13 on the other, measuring 18.6 by 17.4 by 0.8 inches with 22 by 23.5 millimeter grids. It comes with single convex melamine stones, two bamboo bowls, a felt sleeve and a vinyl carrying case.
Suits: a thin full-size board that travels. Strengths: reversible grid and a case. Weaknesses: thin. Skip it if you want a thick board.
View Yellow Mountain Imports 0.8 in reversible bamboo Go set on Amazon
3. Agirlgle 12-Inch Wooden Go Set With Drawers
A 12 inch 19×19 board listed as solid natural wood with two pull-out drawers. It includes 361 black and 360 white resin stones. The listing does not name the wood species.
Suits: a small set with its own storage. Strengths: drawers and a full stone count. Weaknesses: unnamed wood. Skip it if you want a known material.
View Agirlgle 12 in wooden Go set with two drawers on Amazon
4. Yellow Mountain Imports Beechwood 9×9 Go Set
A beginner 9×9 board in etched beechwood veneer measuring 9.84 by 9.25 by 0.39 inches with a felt bottom, 181 black and 180 white single convex melamine stones and two plastic bowls.
Suits: short practice games. Strengths: small and felt backed. Weaknesses: 9×9 only. Skip it if you want standard 19×19.
View Yellow Mountain Imports beechwood 9×9 Go set on Amazon
5. Yellow Mountain Imports Bamboo 2-Inch Go Set
A thick reversible bamboo board measuring 18.5 by 17.4 by 2 inches, with double convex melamine stones, bamboo bowls, a felt sleeve, securing straps and a carrying bag. The maker lists the whole set at 9 kg.
Suits: a permanent table setup. Strengths: thick, solid board. Weaknesses: heavy. Skip it if you travel often.
View Yellow Mountain Imports 2 in reversible bamboo Go set on Amazon
6. Yellow Mountain Imports Bamboo Go Set With Drawers
A 12.7 by 12.2 by 2.7 inch bamboo board with a 19×19 grid of 15 millimeter squares, two pull-out drawers and 181 black and 180 white double convex stones. It weighs 5.3 pounds and includes The Way to Go by Karl Baker.
Suits: a compact set with a book. Strengths: drawers and a beginner guide. Weaknesses: smaller grid squares. Skip it if you want a standard-size grid.
View Yellow Mountain Imports bamboo Go set with drawers on Amazon
Care and Setup
- Wipe the board with a dry or barely damp cloth.
- Keep it away from heat and direct sun.
- Store stones in their bowls or drawers.
- Use the felt sleeve or case when carrying.
Mistakes to Avoid
- Assuming a veneer board is solid wood.
- Buying a 9×9 board when you want 19×19.
- Ignoring set weight for travel.
- Soaking a wooden board.
Go Board FAQ
What does reversible mean?
One side has a 19×19 grid and the other a 13×13 grid.
Are these all solid wood?
No. Several are bamboo strips or wood veneer.
The Short Version
For a thin travel board, the YMI 0.8 inch. For a thick table board, the YMI 2 inch. For small and drawers, the Agirlgle or the YMI drawer set. For 9×9 practice, the YMI beechwood. For a compact option, the WE Games.
