Falafel, number 1 on 2007 Giants of Backgammon, will be posting on Play65 blog starting from now. Falafel is currently on his way to Monte Carlo and Cannes, to play at two of the most important tournaments in the world of backgammon, Monte Carlo World Championship and the last qualifier of the World Series of Backgammon, and at this year WSOB final event. From there, he will be reporting exclusively to Play65 blog readers live from his backgammon tournaments, share his thoughts, experiences and memories, and give backgammon advice. So, everyone, greet Falafel on his first post!

On the Road

I am about to leave for Monte Carlo, where I will be participating at the World Championship for the 9th time. The World Backgammon Championship in Monte Carlo is the most exciting event of the year, though I have never yet to win there. But who knows, I did not think I would be voted number 1 on the Backgammon Giants list, but I did and it was a very pleasant surprise…

Anyway, back to the backgammon tournaments. The Monte Carlo World Championship and the World Series of Backgammon final in Cannes are two of the most important events in backgammon. All the best backgammon players come to these tournaments from all over the world.

This year Play65 is sending 3 players to the WSOB final. These players are the winners of the three special WSOB qualifiers held by Play65 during the last three months. I assume that it will be their first experience at such a major live backgammon event. So let me tell you how it is going to be:

Besides playing backgammon all day long (which we all love), a live backgammon event also includes cocktail parties, gala dinners, and, of course, special prizes ceremonies where the players are awarded for their backgammon achievements.

Memories of Past Backgammon Tournaments

My best showing in Monte Carlo was 4 years ago, when I lost in the quarter finals and it all came down to DMP. What I remember most about that last game was that I played really well, but got very unlucky with the dice (isn’t that how we all feel after losing?).

Anyway, I’ve come along way since this unforgettable backgammon event: 2 years ago I actually won my really first big event which was in Las Vegas where I beat Carter Matting in a great final match that came down to DMP, and a few months ago I won my first European event, the Portuguese Open, which was a lot of fun, also at DMP!

Daily Routine of a Backgammon Giant

Our acquaintance, Phil Simborg, reports from the Chicago Open ABT Tournament:

I am sad to report that I lost in the Open and am playing last chance (I did win the first two rounds including a win over the great Herb Roman in Round 2).

In the Open Div, the Semis are Sam Pottle vs. John Jennings and Chris Yep vs. Alan Grunwald   (I own John and Alan in the Calcutta along with my partner, Scott Casty, who is in the finals of Intermediate, and we own him as well!)

In one of my later matches, this interesting positions came up.   Black trails 0-4 in a match to15 and is on roll.  Cube action?

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)

Following our newly born tradition of 1st person tournament coverage, Play65 blog is happy to host a special guest post by Phil Simborg, a legendary backgammon writer and a professional backgammon player who reports, especially for Play65 blog, on the last Las Vegas backgammon tournament. 

Las Vegas Tournament Report

By Phil Simborg 

Though I didn’t win the tournament, it was a most exciting one for me as I did win the 2 point Mimi match side event, and I enjoyed the competition, the trophy, and the money. 

Many of the top players in the world were in attendance in this highly prestigious event which was extremely well-run by Howard Markowitz and his staff. 

In the main event, I had one of the most exciting tournament as well, as I beat some of the best players in the world including Nack Ballard, Bill Robertie, and Perry Gartner. My luck failed me toward the end, and that left the door open for one of the all-time great players, Joe Russell, to advance to the finals. 

In the finals he met a top local player from Las Vegas, Drew Giavannis, and Drew won a most exciting finals 17-14. 

In the Super Jackpot, my good friend John O’Hagan defeated Nack Ballard. 

                                                                John O’Hagan            vs.          Nack Ballard

In the finals of my mini match, I had a very tough play to make. It is double match play, and I was black and it looked like I was about to win easily when I rolled the ONLY NUMBER that leaves a shot, 6-5. The question is, should I take two checkers off or should I move a checker to the ace point. What would you do?

Answer: The right play is to move the checker to the ace point. If he does roll a 1, he still has to get by your 4-prime, and he might even roll a 1 with a 4 which gives you a double shot in his inner board. If he rolls a 6, he’s out of your hair and you probably win the race easily. 

There was a big crowd watching, and a lot of side bets, and a couple of the best players in the world bet on the wrong play. Myself, over the board, I wasn’t sure, so to everyone’s amazement, I flipped a coin! It came up heads, I made the wrong play and got hit! The good news is that I rolled 6-6 and went on to win the game.