Jamaican Backgammon Players Improve Their Game

Head of Internation Backgammon Chiva Tafazzoli had to admit that Jamaican backgammon players picked up their game.

Tafazzoli recently visited the island for the 4th High Stakes Backgammon Championship at Strawberry Hills where he was looking to retain his title as tournament champion. However, he finish outside of the top places at that event.

“This year’s competition was definitely harder than last year… because I did not roll as well as I did last year and the others have been having a better time with the dice. Also the level of gaming has improved in Jamaica; the guys have been playing a lot over the past year so that has contributed and they are doing better,” Tafazzoli said.

Tafazzoli also emphasized that backgammon is the oldest game with over 800 million players around the world.

Play65 Backgammon Room to Battle Cheaters

The biggest online backgammon operator Play65 declared war against cheaters. Play65 backgammon room has formed independent Board of Trustees to fight cheaters who use backgammon bots.

Board of Trustees, composed of backgammon professionals, will check every suspicious activity or complaint regarding a suspected abuse of bots. If the suspicion is approved by three backgammon referee, then suspected user will be blocked from playing on the site.

Computer programs such as Snowie, GNU and Jellyfish, are among most popular ones used to cheat in online skill games such as chess and backgammon.

Sportingbet Backgammon Stays With GameAccount

Sportingbet renewed its agreement with GameAccount Global Ltd., its backgammon provider. Sportingbet backgammon migrated to GameAccount network in 2007.

Sportingbet group finance director Jim Wilkinson said: “This deal ensures our players enjoy ongoing access to one of the largest communities of skill games players in Europe.”

Alastair MacBeath Wins $315,000

Backgammon tournament was held at Strawberry Hill Hotel and Spa in Irish Town, St Andrew, Jamaica last weekend. Alastair MacBeath, who was runner-up in last year’s annual tournament, outplayed William Mahfood in the final round and won the tournament.

Alastair grabbed top prize of $315,000 in cash. Also,  MacBeath was awarded the Dickie Jobson award.