ssh port forwarding

Is it just me, or is the openssh port forwarding syntax *really* confusing?  Every time I have to work through examples afresh.  It's ridiculously powerful -- who can argue with key-based authentication on a user-land vpn, and it's available for all major OSes.  Still, I wish I *really* understood the syntax.  


I suppose practice makes perfect.  I'm working on a small project now.  With any luck, examples to come.

References:
Openssh FAQ
Red Hat Magazine