Brian Lever
Dorothy Lee
Simon Jones
Mike Wood
Jerry Limb
Kevin Jones
Vicky Chandler
Mick Butterfield

19.95
16.94
13.93
13.93
13.93
11.92
9.97
9.97
8.92
8.92
8.92
8.92
5.98
5.98
5.98
5.98
4.91
4.91
4.91
4.91
4.91
4.91
4.91
4.91
2.97
2.97
2.97
2.97
2.97
2.97
2.97
2.97

Brian Lever
Dorothy Lee
Mike Wood
Peter Chan
Simon Jones
Ian Hesketh
Alastair Woods
Mark Calderbank
Jerry Limb
Kevin Jones
Mick Butterfield
Vicky Chandler
Angie Dell
Carel
Michael Horne
Uldis Lapikens
Adrian Jones
Dama Cunningham
Irving Czechowicz
John Broomfield
Marc Turner
Mike Waid
Roger Keys
Tony Fawcett
Andrew Smith
Bob Slater
Dan Tutchings
Gary Brooker
Paul Barwick
Rob Tutchings
Rodney Lighton
Tim Brown

Having experienced the euphoria of winning amidst the glitz and glamour of Monte Carlo where does one go for your next tournament I pondered? Simples! – Amidst the 2008 European Capital of Culture – Liverpool.

The 16th running of this annual tournament was limited to 64 players and, at a time when tournament entries are declining, it was oversubscribed weeks ahead. Rumour had it that entries were being touted on the Blackgammon market.

Liverpool epitomises what backgammon tournaments are all about i.e. playing backgammon and not hanging around awaiting opponents. Tournament Director, John Wright, had added a new twist to the previously successful two day format.

Day 1 consisted of Swiss format 5 x 9 point matches with those players achieving 3 or more wins qualifying for Day 2’s main knockout event. After 3 rounds there would be 8 players qualifying with 3 wins meaning their next 2 matches were “virtually irrelevant” and 8 players with zero wins who as such had “no chance of qualifying” with only two further matches to play. Rather than play “meaningless” matches the 8 winners played a mini jackpot whilst the 8 losers also played a mini jackpot with prize money donated by the Liverpool Club. A one-point shootout also ran concurrently with the main events.

 

My Monte Carlo achievements had been much publicised by the organisers with banners proclaiming the Intermediate World Champion on the walls. Much congratulatory hand shaking and jovial back slapping greeted me on arrival. Then I blushed as John, in his opening speech, stated that “We are not Worthy” to have a Monte Carlo Champion in our midst. He then held up a DVD, that had apparently fallen out of my bag carrying the trophy, which explained my success. Its title? “Cheating at Backgammon” – loud roars of laughter around the room ensued as the assembled players burst into applause.

Whilst John is an excellent Master Of Ceremonies the success of the tournament is very much dependant on the support staff. Peter Chan as Ringmaster had forsaken his camera for a whip - repeatedly cracking it to ensure we got to the tables on time to play our matches. Keeping up with the Joneses meant keeping Lucy informed of match results for her to ensure the wall charts were constantly updated and handing over money to hubby Simon to enlarge the prize pools. There was even a bookie. George Castells, sitting in the corner happily relieving you of £2 per player you wished to back on the Tote.

Such is the popularity of the Liverpool Open it has reached quasi International Status with 5 players from Eire, 3 from Scotland. 2 from Isle of Man, 1 from Isle of Wight, 1 Northern Ireland together with a sprinkling of Welsh Joneses. Canadian, Argentinean and Maltese nationals were also present plus representatives from Devon on the Cornish Peninsula.

To help find your opponent self adhesive name badges were issued to be worn. Mine had “World Champ” added which meant every time I sat down to play I was greeted with “I’ve always wanted to beat a World Champion” or words to that effect giving me a Public Enemy No.1 psychological disadvantage.

My first round match was against my Manchester Saturday Tournament sparring partner Kevin the Jones and I breathed a huge sigh of relief when the Dice Gods favoured me and I did not lose. Next opponent was non other than the TD himself John who was aghast when I accepted a cube with a checker on the bar facing a five point board. I am playing as white and this is the position in which I was doubled..

John rolls 55 and is forced to leave a blot on his 6-point. Lucky me rolls a 65, hits and the rest is history. As I won the match I smiled, chuckled and said you need luck to be a Champion. Confidence high, perhaps I could walk on water after all, I started my third match against Mike Waid. BANG – the bubble burst and I sank beneath the waves soundly beaten 3-9.

Two ladies were participating in their first real live tournaments and didn’t they do well? First on the oché was Deana Fawcett with a daunting first round draw against fellow Huddersfield Club mate and twice UK Champion, Mick Butterfield. Unfazed, Deana kept her cool beating Mick and then winning another two of her remaining matches to qualify for Sunday’s Main Knockout.

Second on the oché was Tina Limb, who claims she has only been playing for five months, going one better than Deana by winning her first 3 matches qualifying not only for the Main on Sunday but also for the 8 winner’s mini jackpot. The proudest man for all to see was partner and Coach Jerry.

At midday came the announcement that the buffet was ready and what a magnificent spread, Pam, TD’s wife, had organised. Spicy, plain, savoury, veggie, dips, cakes, and puddings you name it – they were all there with more than enough to satisfy the hungriest of appetites. Continuing on the catering theme there were endless supplies of complimentary tea and coffee provided by the Wright siblings, Sam, Meta and Amber. Cold cans of beer and glasses of wine could be purchased and with a large can of Guinness for just £1.60 putting the Barceló 400% mark-up into perspective.
For Saturday evening it was off to the nearby Lark Lane with its plethora of restaurants and bars with friendly “Customer is King” orientated staff. Richard Biddle was bemused, having bought a round of drinks, to find his change actually included bank notes and not just copper coins. It was unlucky 13 for most of the players who sat down at the table for the Poker event. Not so for Mick Butterfield who soberly bragged his way to scoop the pot. For the non-poker players there was more backgammon with 5-pointer knockouts.

Sunday dawned to the sound of Peter cracking his Ringmasters whip to ensure all matches started on time. It was also the day of the Hungarian F1 Grand Prix so Peter had kindly brought a portable TV to the venue so those who were knocked out early, including yours truly, could watch the race.

There was a “Last Chance” for non-GP fans to complete a non-stop backgammon weekend.

Main: 1st Brian Lever (Mancunian) - 2nd Dorothy Lee (Lancastrian)
Brian grinned from ear to ear as a Mancunian walked off with a Liverpool Trophy.

Dorothy also grinned since she also won the £10 pool!

Con: 1st Peter Chan (Liverpudian) - 2nd Ian Hesketh (Edinburgh)

Winner Peter, amongst others, had moist eyes as he dedicated his win to his

mother who had passed away just a couple of weeks before the tournament.

L/C: 1st Gary Brooker (London) - 2nd Mike Waid (Northern Ireland)

1-Ptr: 1st Ann Pocknell (Canadian) - 2nd Paul Barwick (Yorkshireman)

Ann is pictured with Simon K Jones

Finally did the Bookie pay out and who was the smart or not so smart money on?

Rachel Rhodes was the favourite with 14 backers, Ann Pocknell 2nd favourite with 7 backers and Adrian Jones 3rd favourite with 6 backers.

Three people backed Brian and each received £50 while 2 people backed Dorothy receiving £36 each. Nineteen players received no backers at all but I was saved the embarrassment when one person was misguided enough to place a bet on me.

Then it was off home bidding farewell to a great event team. Surprise, surprise contrary to anecdotal historical rumours the wheels were still on my car.

Definitely an Annual Tournament not to be missed: expertly and efficiently organised, wonderful buffets, complimentary teas & coffees and low cost bar but most importantly loads of backgammon and friendly atmosphere. So ladies and gentleman mark your calendars now for the 17th Liverpool Open, July 2012.