'High Stakes' backgammon on the Hill again - Sport - Jamaica Star

André Lowe, Senior Staff Reporter

Event organiser Andrew Issa. - file

As if the opportunity to compete in the picturesque backdrop of Strawberry Hill was not enough, competitors at this year's Strawberry Hill 'High Stakes' Backgammon Tournament will have extra motivation with a top prize of $400,000 on the table for the winner of the event, which is rolling into its seventh year.

Dice will roll from November 4-6, and with more than 30 players already registered, including internationally renowned female player Antoinette Williams from the United States, this year's competition is shaping up to be one of the finest in the event's history.

More than $1 million in cash and prizes will be handed out over the weekend, with the second-place finisher walking away with $200,000, and third place attracting $100,000. Each player is required to pay an entry fee of $35,000.

Last year's champion, Michael Hirst, is also expected to feature this time around.

Speaking at Monday's launch inside the ATL boardroom, event organiser Andrew Issa, who stepped into the post after Alastair Macbeath was unable to continue in that capacity, is expecting another smooth-running tournament and is encouraging interested persons to come out and enjoy the match-ups.

spectator sport

"The tournament is open to everybody. It's a fantastic spectator sport so we'd like everyone to come up for the weekend," said Issa.

"There is a lot of money at stake, and with those who play, there is also a lot of pride at stake. We are also pleased to announce that we do have an international player coming for this tournament this year and she was ranked 50th in the world at one time. She loves Jamaica and will be here again," Issa added.

Music icon and backgammon enthusiast Chris Blackwell is looking forward to the tournament and is excited that his property will once again play host to the ever-growing event.

Blackwell, who conceptualised the competition along with his now-deceased friend Dickie Jobson, spoke to the history of the tournament.

"This tournament really started in a casual way because my best friend, Dickie Jobson, we played backgammon for 40 years whenever we saw each other, and at Strawberry Hill one day we just decided that we would start a competition up there, and that's basically how it started," Blackwell noted.

ATL Automotive, through its Audi line, is the major sponsor of the event. Backgammon is a board game for two players who aim to move all their 'checkers' from the board according to the roll of a die.

		October 11, 2011
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	'High Stakes' backgammon on the Hill again
	André Lowe, Senior Staff Reporter Event organiser Andrew Issa. - file As if the opportunity to compete in the picturesque backdrop of Strawberry Hill was not enough, competitors at this year's Strawberry Hill 'High Stakes' Backgammon Tournament will have extra motivation with a top prize of $400,000 on the table for the winner of the event, which is rolling into its seventh year. Dice will roll from November 4-6, and with more than 30 players already registered, including internationally renowned female player Antoinette Williams from the United States, this year's competition is shaping up to be one of the finest in the event's history. More than $1 million in cash and prizes will be handed out over the weekend, with the second-place finisher walking away with $200,000, and third place attracting $100,000. Each player is required to pay an entry fee of $35,000. Last year's champion, Michael Hirst, is also expected to feature this time around. Speaking at Monday's launch inside the ATL boardroom, event organiser Andrew Issa, who stepped into the post after Alastair Macbeath was unable to continue in that capacity, is expecting another smooth-running tournament and is encouraging interested persons to come out and enjoy the match-ups. spectator sport "The tournament is open to everybody. It's a fantastic spectator sport so we'd like everyone to come up for the weekend," said Issa. "There is a lot of money at stake, and with those who play, there is also a lot of pride at stake. We are also pleased to announce that we do have an international player coming for this tournament this year and she was ranked 50th in the world at one time. She loves Jamaica and will be here again," Issa added. Music icon and backgammon enthusiast Chris Blackwell is looking forward to the tournament and is excited that his property will once again play host to the ever-growing event. Blackwell, who conceptualised the competition along with his now-deceased friend Dickie Jobson, spoke to the history of the tournament. "This tournament really started in a casual way because my best friend, Dickie Jobson, we played backgammon for 40 years whenever we saw each other, and at Strawberry Hill one day we just decided that we would start a competition up there, and that's basically how it started," Blackwell noted. ATL Automotive, through its Audi line, is the major sponsor of the event. Backgammon is a board game for two players who aim to move all their 'checkers' from the board according to the roll of a die.

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