Editing Handicapping in Go (section)

==Compensation points==
{{Main|Komidashi}}

When the difference in strength is one rank, no handicap stone is given. Instead the stronger player takes White ''but without'' compensation points. The compensation points are called [[Komidashi|Komi]] in [[Japanese language|Japanese]]. It is a custom that Black plays first; White moves second. Playing first is regarded as a significant advantage in modern go, and to make the game fair to both players, this advantage must be compensated. It is regarded that playing first is equal to half a move or more ahead throughout the game.

Another common type of compensation used is the '''reverse [[Komidashi|compensation points]]''', where the weaker player takes black, and is given both the first move and compensation points too. This is more advantageous than the above situation.

Compensation points are sometimes preferred to stones because the players would like to play or practice as if it is an even game. They would like to have the feel of an "even game".  White (the stronger player) must play better to overcome these disadvantages (points gained by playing first + compensation points).

===Fixed compensation point (komi) system===
When ranks are equal, Black gets advantages by playing first. The advantage of that first move is compensated by [[Komidashi|compensation points]]. However, there are still no absolute standards on the number of compensation points due to the difficulty of determining a fair value. 6.5 points are used in Japan and Korea. 7.5 points are used in China and USA (see [[American Go Association|AGA]] rules). The 0.5 points is used to prevent a draw.

=== Auction compensation point system===
As no one can be absolutely sure what the fair number of compensation points is, some advocate another system which is often used in some amateur matches and tournaments. There are no fixed compensation points. The decision is left to both players. They arrive at a value through negotiation and bidding. This is called auction compensation point system.

Examples of auction komi systems include:

* one player chooses how big komi will be given to White and the other player then chooses to play Black or White.
* the game is without komi; one player makes the first move of Black (not too weak and not too strong) and the other one then chooses to play Black or White. This is an application of the [[pie rule]].
* the players do an "auction" by saying: "I am willing to play Black against XXX komi" and the player who wins the auction plays Black.