2008 Australian Backgammon Championship

Sydney's Jay Deva defeats a rampaging Kiwi assault in Backgammon's Bledisloe Cup

August 2/3/4 2008, Waxy's Irish Pub, Surfers Paradise, Queensland, Australia.

Australia's backgammon elite, along with a lone visitor from across the Tasman met this weekend to battle for the title of Australian Backgammon Champion. The weekend was off to a roaring start with a dinner and Calcutta Auction held at Waxy's. Almost $10,000 went into the pool thanks to the efforts of Auctioneer Ross Hancock and lively bidding from the assembled punters. Top seed was Sydney's Robbie Solomon, runner-up to Paul Weaver (USA) in the Queensland Championships held in February.

9:30AM Saturday morning saw 54 players in the starting line-up, with a total of 128 places to fill, so plenty of rebuys were available. And they were needed, with many top players faltering at the starting gate. An early start the next day soon brought us to the final 16. In the top half, Newcastle's Virginia Jones and Grant Hoffman visiting from Nelson in New Zealand continued the blistering form they'd shown on Saturday. Eventually something had to give and everyone present will remember Grant's joker 5-5 which resulted in a 6 point swing and helped him to reach the final.

The bottom half saw some epic battles as well. Stephen Davy was the best performer of the "Sydney Poker Boys" reaching the quarter final before coming up against eventual winner Jay. Victoria's Simon Ustick also had a great run, defeating Alex Falon before losing to Jay in the semi.

The final saw the irrestible force of Grant Hoffman come up against an immovable object, in the form of Jay Deva. Neither player could gain a winning margin, with points traded until 12-12 in the 15 point final, when Jay finally edged ahead and took the championship with a score of 15-12.

You can read more in Robert Disney's reports on the forum and see his photos here. Thanks to Tournament Director Steve Roberts, his helpers on the desk Barbara and Murray and auctioneer Ross Hancock for a great weekend.

Photos courtsey Rodney Hearne and Simon Woodhead. If you have photos from the weekend that you'd like to contribute, please send them to me. Click on thumbnail for full size image.

Trophy Presentations
	Runner-up Grant Hoffman (r)	Jay Deva - 2008 Australian Backgammon Champion	Steve Roberts(l) and Jay
Grant and Jay	Virginia Jones	Simon Ustick	Stephen Davy	Alex Falon
David Kinston	Peter Sun	Mick Dyett	Tony Hrysicos	The Sydney Poker Boys

Friday 2nd August - Calcutta Auction and Dinner

Saturday 3rd August - Early rounds

Sunday 4th August - Finals