SUNNY FLORIDA BACKGAMMON CHAMPIONSHIP
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    • Sunny Florida Open
    • Backgammon. Winning. Women. Cup
    • Board Tournaments
    • USBGF National Championship Qualifier
    • Speedgammon
    • 8-Player Jackpots
  • Schedule
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  • Terms & Conditions
    • Eligibility

EVENTS

General Event Information

  • All of the information on this page applies only to players in the Championship, Advanced, or Intermediate divisions. For information about the novice workshop and tournament, please click here.
  • Membership in the US Backgammon Federation is required for all events. Renew or join at usbgf.org.
  • See the Terms & Conditions page for rule options in effect. Clocks are required in all events, including side events.​
  • We are looking for sponsors! If you have a product or service you would like to advertise to the community, please contact Ben Friesen for details.
  • There is a $100 registration fee that applies to all players (except novices). This covers the ABT fee, hospitality, technology, and access to the event space.
  • Expected Payouts
    • ABT Main Events pay 10-15% of the field. Events with less than 32 participants may pay up to 25%.
    • Jackpot events pay 12.5% of the field. Jackpots that use byes may pay up to 20%.
    • Other side events will generally pay 12.5% of the field, but may vary based on other factors such as added money.
  • ​Registration Cut-Offs
    • ​ABT Main Event Registration closes Friday night. Players must check in on site by Friday.
    • Jackpot & Side Event registration closes 30 minutes before each event starts. Late entry and re-entries (if available) will open once the initial draw has been posted.

Local Club Events

Hosted By
Karen Davis and the Sunny Florida Backgammon Club
​Director: Nano Cabrera
Location
Duffy’s
3969 NE 163rd St
​North Miami Beach, FL
Schedule
  • Miami Masters Jackpot at 5:30pm on Monday, August 14th
  • Chouette at 6:30pm on Monday, August 21st
Fees
​Miami Masters Jackpot: $150 entry
Format
Miami Masters Jackpot will have a G2 format.

American Backgammon Tour Main Events

The main event starts Saturday, with competition taking place over two days. As part of the American Backgammon Tour, this event is one of 15-20 each year that count towards the ABT points race!
Format
  • Three divisions: Championship, Advanced, and Intermediate
  • Double-elimination with a progressive consolation
  • The finals will be one match between the winners of the Main bracket and Second Chance bracket. The last undefeated player will receive a payout of 7% of the prize pool before other prizes are determined.
Match Lengths
  • Championship Division
    • 11 point matches in the Main
    • 9 point matches in the Second Chance and Consolation
  • Advanced Division
    • 11 point matches in the Main and Second Chance brackets
    • 9 point matches in the Consolation
  • Intermediate Division
    • 9 point matches in the Main and Second Chance brackets
    • 7 point matches in the Consolation
Schedule
  • Registration closes at 11:00 PM on Friday night. If you will not arrive until Saturday, full payment in advance is required.
  • Up to six rounds on Saturday and played to completion on Sunday.
  • Scheduled lunch and dinner breaks on Saturday.
Fees
  • Championship Division
    • $400 entry fee, 90.0% return
    • $200 side pool, 95.0% return
  • Advanced Division
    • $300 entry fee, 86.7% return
    • $150 side pool, 95% return
  • Intermediate Division
    • $200 entry fee, 80% return
    • $100 side pool, 95% return
Eligibility
  • The Championship division is open to all players
  • Advanced division players generally have an eXtreme Gammon performance rating (PR) between 7 and 10.
  • Intermediate division players generally have an eXtreme Gammon performance rating over 10.
Eligibility is subject to director approval in consultation with the USBGF eligibility committee. Decisions may be based on win %, ELO, PR, and recent results.
Clock Settings
  • Championship division: 2m/12s
  • Advanced division: 2m/15s
  • Intermediate division: 2m/15s

Jackpot Events

Format
  • Four jackpots: Masters, Open, Advanced, and Intermediate (not including the Sunny Florida Classic Super Jackpot which is listed separately on this page).
  • Single Elimination
  • Limited to 32 entries per division
  • Re-entries allowed until full. Side pools carry over on re-entry!
Match Lengths
  • Masters Jackpot: 13 points
  • Open Jackpot: 11 points
  • Advanced Jackpot: 9 points
  • Intermediate Jackpot: 9 points​
Schedule
  • Two start times: 
    • 6pm Thursday
    • 5pm Friday
  • Players who register for the Friday start may have less opportunity for re-entry.
  • Players who register for the Thursday start may be required to shift to the Friday start if they are still alive in the Doubles tournament (which begins at 12pm Thursday).
Fees
  • Masters Jackpot
    • $400 entry fee, 90.0% return
    • $200 side pool, 95.0% return
  • Open Jackpot
    • $300 entry fee, 86.7% return
    • $150 side pool, 95.0% return
  • Advanced Division
    • $200 entry fee, 80% return
    • $100 side pool, 95% return
  • Intermediate Division
    • $100 entry fee, 70% return
    • $50 side pool, 95% return
Eligibility
  • The Masters Jackpot is open to all players, and recommended for players of exceptional skill.
  • Players eligible for the Open Jackpot generally have an eXtreme Gammon performance rating (PR) over 5.5.
  • Players eligible for the Advanced Jackpot generally have an eXtreme Gammon performance rating (PR) over 7.
  • Players eligible for the Intermediate Jackpot generally have an eXtreme Gammon performance rating over 10.
Eligibility is subject to director approval in consultation with the USBGF eligibility committee. Decisions may be based on win %, ELO, PR, and recent results.
Clock Settings
  • Masters & Open Jackpots: 2m/12s
  • Advanced & Intermediate Jackpot: 2m/15s

Sunny Florida Classic - Super Jackpot

Format
  • Single Elimination​
  • 15 point matches
  • ​Limited to 16 entrants.
Schedule
Begins at 10am Wednesday and will play through until finalists are determined.
Fees
  • $1200 entry fee, 92.5% return
  • $400 side pool, 95.0% return
Clock Settings
2m/12s

BMAB Tournament

The Backgammon Masters Awarding Body (BMAB) confers mastership titles and proficiency level certificates based on calculated error rate performance using eXtremeGammon in live clocked matches in tournament conditions. 
Format
  • Five round modified Swiss
  • 9 point matches
  • All matches will be recorded, transcribed, and sent to Backgammon Masters Awarding Body for official rating
Schedule
Begins at 10am Wednesday and will finish the same day.
Fees
  • Separate $100 registration fee, which includes recording, transcription, and submission to BMAB.
  • $100 entry fee, 100% return
  • $50 side pool A, 95% return
  • $100 side pool B, 95% return
  • Must enter side pool A to be eligible for side pool B. Both side pools are based on W/L record.
Clock Settings
​2m/12s

Palm Beach Doubles

Format
  • Two-player teams
  • Single elimination
  • Initial rounds will be 5 point matches. Semi-finals and finals will be 7 point matches.
  • Limited to 64 team entries.
  • Side pool carries over on re-entry
Schedule
  • Two start times: 
    • 12pm Thursday
    • 10am Friday
  • Re-entries will be taken until 10am Friday or until full.
  • Players who register for the Friday start will not have the opportunity for re-entry.​
Fees
  • $100 entry fee per player ($200 per team), 80% return
  • $50 side pool per player ($100 per team), 95.0% return
  • Both players must agree on whether to enter side pool
Clock Settings
3m/15s

Sunny Florida Open (Satellite Tournament)

Format
  • Swiss format
  • Two divisions: Championship & Advanced
  • 7 point matches in both divisions
  • Winners gain free entry to the ABT main event of the same division.
Schedule
  • Event begins at 6:30pm Wednesday and will play at least four rounds that evening.
  • Event will resume Thursday morning and finish before the Doubles.
Fees
  • Championship Division
    • $150 entry fee, 80% return (in the form of free ABT entries)
    • $50 side pool, 95% return
  • Advanced Division
    • $100 entry fee, 80% return (in the form of free ABT entries)
    • $50 side pool, 95% return
Clock Settings
  • Championship division: ​2m/12s
  • Advanced division: 2m/15s

Sunny Florida Backgammon. Winning. Women. Cup

Backgammon. Winning. Women. is proud to sponsor the Sunny Florida Backgammon. Winning. Women. Cup!
Format
  • G2. All entrants will play at least two 7-point matches.
  • Recording & Transcription: Backgammon. Winning. Women. has donated full service recording and transcription services for all matches in this event. All matches will be submitted to BMAB ($500 Value)
  • $500 added money!
  • This event is only open to women.
Schedule
  • Begins at 1pm Friday and will continue until finalists are determined.
Fees
  • ​$100 entry fee, 80% return ($500 added)
  • $50 side pool, 95% return
Clock Settings
Clock setting varies by skill level. If both players are championship level, 2m/12s. Otherwise, 2m/15s. Both players use the same settings.​
Backgammon. Winning. Women. Sponsorship
  • Additional prizes will be awarded to women playing in any Sunny Florida event, including boards, tote bags, and backgammon equipment!
  • Two women will receive free recording/transcription service for their matches all weekend. Please contact us if you are interested in being considered.

Board Tournaments

Enter the tournament of your choice to win a beautiful, high quality backgammon board!
Format
  • Three events to choose from:
    • ​FTH Board Tournament, sponsored by Gammon Stuff
    • GammonGuys Board Tournament
    • Crisloid Board Tournament
  • Single elimination
  • 9 point matches for the FTH event, 7 point matches for the GammonGuys & Crisloid Event
  • Each tournament limited to 8 players
Schedule
  • Each bracket will be limited to 8 players. Play will begin on-demand once bracket is full, no earlier than 2pm Friday, and will finish the same day.
Fees & Prizes
  • FTH Board Tournament
    • $200 entry fee
    • Winner receives an FTH backgammon board
    • Finalist recieves $200
  • GammonGuys Board Tournament
    • $100 entry fee
    • ​Winner receives a GammonGuys backgammon board
    • Finalist receives a GammonGuys doubling cube
  • Crisloid Board Tournament
    • $70 entry fee
    • Winner receives a Crisloid backgammon board
    • Finalist receives a Crisloid doubling cube
Clock Settings
Clock setting varies by skill level. If both players are championship level, 2m/12s. Otherwise, 2m/15s. Both players use the same settings.​

USBGF National Championship Qualifier

Format
  • Single elimination​
  • 5 point matches
  • Unlimited re-entries for the first two days! Side pool carries over on re-entry
  • $500 added money!
  • In addition to prize pool, winner receives free entry to the USBGF National Championship playoff to complete for the title of US National Champion! Playoff will take place at the Cherry Blossom Backgammon Championship in April 2024.
Schedule
  • Begins at 2pm Wednesday, with competition taking place over three days.
  • Limited to 64 entries.
  • Unlimited re-entries until 2pm Friday, or until full.
Fees
  • $50 entry fee, 70% return ($500 added)​
  • $50 side pool A, 95% return
  • $100 side pool B, 95% return
  • Must enter side pool A to be eligible for side pool B.
Clock Settings
Clock setting varies by skill level. If both players are championship level, 2m/12s. Otherwise, 2m/15s. Both players use the same settings.​

Speedgammon

Format
  • Single elimination​
  • 5 point matches
  • Unlimited re-entries Wednesday through Friday afternoon! Side pool carries over on re-entry.
  • Very fast clock settings! Players will have only 2 minutes of reserve time (total, not per point) and an 8s delay.
Schedule
  • Begins at 2pm Wednesday, with competition taking place over three days.
  • Limited to 64 entries.
  • Unlimited re-entries until 2pm Friday or until full.
Fees
  • $50 entry fee, 90% return
  • $50 side pool, 95% return
Clock Settings
24s/8s

8-Player Jackpots

Format
  • Available on-demand every day to all players who are not alive in any other event!
  • Single elimination
  • Every jackpot finishes the same day that it starts
  • $20 jackpots are reserved for players of Intermediate skill level. All other jackpots are open to players of any skill level.
Fees
  • Four options:
    • $200 entry fee, 87.5% return
    • $100 entry fee, 87.5% return
    • $50 entry fee, 85% return
    • $20 entry fee, 75% return
Match Lengths
  • $200 Jackpots: 9 point matches
  • $100 Jackpots: 7 point matches
  • $50 Jackpots: 5 point matches, 7 point final
  • $20 Jackpots: 5 point matches
Clock Settings
Clock setting varies by skill level. If both players are championship level, 2m/12s. Otherwise, 2m/15s. Both players use the same settings.​
Sunny Florida Backgammon Championship
​August 16-20, 2023

Hilton Fort Lauderdale Marina
1881 SE 17th St, Fort Lauderdale, FL 
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Tournament Organized by

Ben Friesen
Andy Lindeberg
​​Paul Horton

​Special thanks to Karen Davis for being our South Florida expert.

Tournament Staff

Ben Friesen - Director
Paul Horton - Director
​Nano Cabrera - Bracket Ninja
Andy Lindeberg - Technical Director
​Backgammon For Everyone
 - Julius High
 - Tom Jayne
​
Assisted by:
​Ed Corey
​Stephen Collins
Jonathan Hardigree

Eligibility Advisory Committee 

USBGF Eligibility Committee
Rory Pascar - Chair
Roberto Litzenberger
​Dmitriy Obukhov
Jonah Seewald
Ian Terry

Ruling Committee

Rich Munitz
Dan Minardi
TBD​​

Corporate Sponsors

U.S. Backgammon Federation
Gammon Stuff
Gammon Guys
Crisloid
​Backgammon. Winning. Women.

​Individual Sponsors

Jason Briggs
Karen Davis

Contact Us

​Contact the Sunny Florida ABT Team for any questions or assistance. 

E-mail: SunnyFloridaABT@gmail.com

You can also call:
Ben Friesen - 810/348-1695
  • Home
  • Register
  • Events
    • Local Club Events
    • ABT Main Event
    • Jackpot Events
    • Sunny Florida Classic
    • BMAB
    • Palm Beach Doubles
    • Sunny Florida Open
    • Backgammon. Winning. Women. Cup
    • Board Tournaments
    • USBGF National Championship Qualifier
    • Speedgammon
    • 8-Player Jackpots
  • Schedule
  • Novice
  • Hotel
  • Restaurants
  • Terms & Conditions
    • Eligibility