BAMBOO BLU TO HOST INTERNATIONAL BACKGAMMON CHAMPIONSHIP
Mammee Bay, Ocho Rios: The Jamaica International Backgammon Championship 2022 will offer the largest ever winnings for a backgammon tournament in Jamaica. Scheduled for October 13 to 15, the tournament will bring the lucky winner $750,000 (Jamaican dollars), in addition to other prizes. Tournament Director Jeb Horton says it may go to one million if entrants and sponsorship allows.
The mind sport will be held at the beach front Bamboo Blu in Mammee Bay, Ocho Rios. Hobson will co-host the tournament along with Phil Simborg, an expert who lectures on the backgammon circuit and has written a book of its rules. Both play often on the world backgammon circuit.
Simborg will lead the tournament and share gaming insights and strategies with registered local and international players in online seminars. He and Horton promise players of all skill levels a memorable competition, with lots of prizes, trophies, and giveaways. The tournament is also expected to attract players ranked by the World Backgammon Federation.
Bamboo Blu is a popular spot with locals, and is located next to RIU Hotels & Resorts. Tripadvisor rates the venue 4.5 of 5 and it is ranked #2 of 110 restaurants in Ocho Rios.
“We are getting inquiries from around the world so we expect to see many international participants,” says Horton. “Circuit players have been asking me when will Jamaica have a big tournament. I approached Phil, who liked the idea, and we decided to do it.”
Phil is co-founder and co-director, with Mochy, of the International Collegiate Backgammon Championships. He lectures at many US tournaments and leads seminars all over the world via the internet. He is also author of more than 200 published articles on backgammon and many of the students he has privately tutored have won major tournaments around the world. In July, Simborg was a finalist in the Jamaica Open Backgammon Tournament held at the Jamaica Inn.
Bamboo Blu is affiliated with the Cool Groups of diversified companies, including Cool Charities, which supports schools and youth sporting activities in St Ann and St Mary. Bamboo Blu’s Managing Director held its first tournament in 2019 but postponed its 2020 and 2021 plans because of the pandemic. Several tournaments have been held in the past decade at Jamaica Inn in Ocho Rios, and Spanish Court Hotel and 100 Restaurant & Lounge in Kingston.
For more information please call Chetna Sharma at 876 / 550-9732 or email CSharma@jamaicatoday.com
