USBGF launches backgammon quiz in honor of former backgammon great
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- Category: Past events
- Published on Tuesday, 08 February 2011 16:30
- Written by Super User
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For many years, Howard Ring established himself in the United States as one of backgammon's most successful players. However, Ring died in September 2005, and now the United States Backgammon Association (USBGF) has decided to honor Ring's memory with a quiz in his name.
The USBGF will has launch the first Howard Ring Memorial Quiz, at the Los Angeles Open held on the June 11-13 weekend in Van Nuys, California. The quiz will be composed of 14 questions that will be composed by current greats in the game of backgammon—Joseph (Joe) Russell, Steve Sax, Phil Simborg, Stick Rice and Paul Weaver, all of whom hold positions on the board or in committees with the USBGF, and all, like Howard Ring, are active in promoting the game of backgammon throughout the country.
The quiz will be given free of charge to all USBGF members and new registrations throughout 2010 and for the sum of $10 to non-members.
Ring was the winner of the very last World Cup event held in 1998, a tournament held every two years in the United States from 1988 to 1998.
Ring was also the original editor of the Giants of Backgammon list, and a Backgammon Giant in all lists published until his tragic death in 2005.
The USBGF is a non-profit organization devoted to advancing the awareness, participation, education and enjoyment of the skill-based game of backgammon.
Michael Hirst captures fifth annual Strawberry Hill High Stakes Backgammon tournament
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- Category: Past events
- Published on Wednesday, 19 January 2011 16:15
- Written by Super User
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St. Andrew, Jamaica was the site of the fifth annual Strawberry Hill High Stakes Backgammon tournament, and for Michael Hirst, he used his 30 years of experience in the game to take down his opponent for the championship.
Hirst beat Andrew Issa, one of the last players to qualify for the main draw, 15-12 in the final match to take home the lucrative $455,000 first place prize.
For his efforts, Hirst also won airline tickets for two to London from Virgin Atlantic, weekend for two at Island Outpost properties, six months membership at Gymkhana, as well as a Sony Ericsson W810 telephone from Digicel.
All in all, it was a pretty good couple of days for Hirst, who also had to get by Alastair Macbeath, former two-time winner of the event, just to get the chance to face Issa.
Issa, who just recently starting playing backgammon, blamed a couple of bad moves on his part for the loss.
At one point, Issa was up 12-8 in the match, but then took a cube that he later regretted. "I got a little deflated, little tired. I let up on the game and my concentration went," Issa said.
Issa can't be too disappointed—he walked away with the runner-up prize of $260,000.
Lars Bentzon captures title of World Backgammon Champion
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- Category: Past events
- Published on Sunday, 19 December 2010 15:15
- Written by Super User
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Danish-born Lars "Buster" Bentzon had a very tough rough to hoe during the World Backgammon Championship in Monte Carlo. However, he was able to get past his opponents on the way to victory and the £60,000 first prize on Sunday, July 18.
Before this month, Bentzon had been best known for being the manager for professional poker player Gus Hansen. However now, he has a professional world title to add to his resume. Bentzon beat Spaniard Ricardo Mala 25-9 to capture the title.
Bentzon also had a formidable opponent in the semi-final round as well. Facing off against fellow Dane Pia Jeppesen, considered one of the best female backgammon players in the world, Bentzon defeated Jeppesen 23-16 to move on to the final round.
In all, 158 players participated in the World Backgammon Champion Main Division, so Bentzon had to be on his best to advance against several world-class players.
Bentzon has been a Danish Backgammon Federation member since 1998, and also plays for the Muma Lustra Team. Ironically, Bentzon was traveling to Denmark to play in a poker tournament with Hansen, however after Hansen was unavoidably detained in Denmark, Bentzon opted to enter the backgammon tournament instead.
It's safe to say that Bentzon made the correct decision.
