And in this guest post Phil Simborg is reporting from 14th Annual Ohio State Backgammon Championship:

I was pleased not only to attend this very fine ABT event, but I was also happy to be the Auctioneer for the Calcutta. I guess I got carried away doing the auction, as I ended up buying 4 teams with my partner. The good news is that someone came into the money on 3 of the 4 teams, so we made a few bucks on the deal in addition to our fun.

On Saturday morning, I gave a lecture to Intermediate and Beginner players on the basics of tournament play. There were 43 people in attendance, and I am told it was well-received. Many of the players there are friends and acquaintances from Play65 and other on-line play.

Then the actual play began, and for me, it was very exciting as I won my first three matches, beating some very fine Championship Level players. A good friend of mine, Greg Merriman, said he had an amazing place to go for dinner, and we ended up spending a lovely 2-hour dinner break with Scott Casty at one of the finest gourmet restaurants in the country by the name of Johnny’s. What a great surprise. It truly was one of the finer gourmet meals I’ve ever had.

The problem is, however, you cannot have a really fine meal like that without some really fine wine, and at $120 a bottle, we did indulge ourselves. Normally, I make it a rule never to drink alcohol when I am still alive in the main, but this meal demanded an exception, and the wine was as unbelievable as the food. I am sure I was not tipsy after the meal, but the results were sure tipsy, as I proceeded to lose my next three matches. I can’t blame it on the wine, however, as Scott drank and ate as much as I, and he won all of his matches but one and took the award for First Consolation.

It was a great event, well-attended, and I was also thrilled to see an old, great friend win the Championships.

See results below:

Championship: 1-Antoinette-Marie Williams (NY) 2-Robert Lessard (Canada) 1st Consolation: Steve Hast (PA)

Advanced: 1-Rose Sheedy (IN) 2-Chris Knapp (Canada) 1st Consolation: Scott Casty

Novice: 1-Ryan Hast (PA)

Masters: Thomas Meyer (IL)

Doubles: Peggy Jackson (OH) & Alan Martin (FL)

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