I was hesitant whether to buy classic/carbon or pocket at first and ultimately went with pocket for the size, the weight, and the price. I did not regret. Pocket is super portable, especially size-wise. It's the kind of size that fills a gap in your bag/luggage perfectly. (Not saying classic/carbon aren't, but I've never seen them in real life.) However, it's also surprisingly weighty, but in a good way! AS in it's satisfying to hold the pieces in your hand. The individual pieces are also just the right size, such that the whole "board", as you play, fits perfectly on the tiny pull-down table on a train! I didn't like the colour-coding of the bugs before buying, but it really helps a beginner read the board and familiarise with the different pieces. I'd still say though, the colours could have ben better, just personally not a fan of the muted, whitish colours and prefer richer ones. Same goes for the carrier pouch, it's perfect function-wise, but why do they have to use this repulsive faded red-orange colour?? Now, the gameplay, if you have never played it. Hive is really fun (despite my sore loser moments). The way you'd plan ahead and strategise feels very chess-like, but it's simpler to learn, faster to play, and more flexible. As it's hexagonal and boardless, the geometry has endless possibilities. It is like the funner, artsier younger sibling of chess.