Jo-Go is a tactical board game. Both players receive eight pieces with 1-5 beads on each piece's pole. Each piece moves in a set pattern. If your opponent passes one of their pieces over you in the course of its assigned movement pattern, you lose 1 bead. If they land on you, you lose 2 beads and you switch places if your piece still has beads remaining. If the players are at different playing abilities, you can even handicap the more experienced player by giving the newcomer 1 or 2 extra beads on each piece at the start of a game.

The computer has 3 levels of difficulty to play against and with the handicapping system you can try out the harder levels with a little extra help in the form of extra beads for your pieces. Beginners can use this system to play advanced players by taking an extra bead and then adjusting the ratings calculation as if the player with more beads was actually higher ranked to begin with. This is featured in the PBEM (play-by-email) system.