BACKGAMMON TOURNAMENTS - WHAT YOU MUST KNOW

These days Backgammon is such a craze that not only is it played in America and Europe on any given weekend, it is also played in many Asian countries too and is considered one of the greatest pastimes.

Like poker, backgammon has professional tournaments held worldwide throughout the year where the world’s best players compete for big money, pride and honor. On any given weekend, local tournaments take place across the United States, Europe and many other parts of the world.

Backgammon tournaments are played very similar to tennis tournaments; with elimination formats and players in the first round are paired at random basis. The players eliminated in the first round are dropped into a new event called the ‘Consolation’, while losers in that division fall into the final event appropriately entitled, ‘the Last Chance’.

Though exact percentages and prizes are totally up to the organizing party, a typical tournament has the following percentage of prize money distribution: 1. 60% of the prize money going to the main event. 2. 30% to the Consolation matches and 3. 10% to the Last Chance round.

In addition to those three events, tournaments usually have jackpots and side events taking place simultaneously. Some skilled backgammoners have been known to play as many as 100 or even more matches over the course of a weeklong competition.

Large tournaments generally last 7 to 9 days, while smaller regional events may be held on a weekend. However it is generally more or less a 3 day affair. On occasions, local events may also be completed in just a single day, but these all are something that totally depends on the organizer.