2005 LAS VEGAS OPEN BACKGAMMON TOURNAMENT

November 16th-20th 2005

Report by Rosey Bensley

 

November 11th arrived at last.  I had been waiting since March for our first Backgammon trip to Las Vegas.  Slatts (John Slattery) and my brother John Gilbertson and I decided this was the year to hit the States with the intention of the boys entering the $10,000 entry Pro-am!  Alas, their secretary let them down.  I had forgotten what the jet lag would be like and booked the flights to suit my work holiday schedule instead!  Talking to Dod Davis, Jo Curl and Wayne Felton who are old hands at this made me realise the error of my ways and so the two Johns pulled out of the Pro-Am and decided that the best idea was to put the $10K in a kitty and for the three of us to have some fun in Las Vegas – see some shows, play some poker, enter lots of jackpots, eat, drink and be merry.  Well, what a trip it turned out to be!

For those of you that read my reports you will know that I concentrate on the Brits abroad!  I would, however, like to start this time with thanking all the new friends we made on this trip.  First of all to Howard Markowich for nagging Slatts for so long, to come to the Las Vegas Open!  Howard and his team did a great job of running the tournament and it went without a hitch. 

To all the players that were nice enough to let me win a few games.  Particularly to Tom McEnvoy who must have been the unluckiest player on Day 1 of the main tournament.  Being a local, he managed to miss the Calcutta Auction ( I must find out why it’s called that!) where money is given out free.  His name was called but he wasn’t there so he lost out on $500!  He then got me in the first round and went 4-8 up after rolling some nice numbers in the bear-off after I’d given him a 4-cube.  I then got lucky and beat him 11-8.  When reporting the win my name went through as Rosey McEnvoy so I quipped “Poor Tom that’s the third bit of bad luck for him in a day if you’re marrying me off to him!”  It didn’t end there though, he played Rachel Rhodes after buying back in and lost at DMP!  He didn’t come back after the first day.   I am only hoping he played poker that night, won a fortune and decided to enter the $10K entry Poker Tourney at Bally’s! 

Back to my thanks and while I am on the subject of poker, thanks to the following great guys who I played some hands with: Ed Bauder (Ilinois), Ward Hudspeth (Texas), Adrian Costa (California), Evan Etter (Florida), Jacob (USA somewhere!), the guys from Texas and Ken Fischer (California).

Thanks to Peter Chan who proved to be an ardent supporter of Slatts (especially when I wasn’t there!) and who took loads of photos of the Brits at work!  This trip to Vegas resulted in 3,500+ photos all together. 

Thanks to Slatts opponents so far:

• Arjang Nowtash
• Ray Fogerland
• Dean Adamion
• Ken Fischer
• Herb Gurland
• Hugh Sconyers (semi-final)

Who helped me have some very anxious moments (to say the least) ! They were all generous in defeat and must have wondered who Slatts prayed to because he as on the ropes so many times!  To quote him “I don’t follow Snowie, I follow voo-doo!” must have seemed true having seen some of the miracles that happened along the way!

A special thanks to Carlos Azcarate who lost to Slatts in the Jackpot at DMP.  I didn’t see the match but according to Slatts he was dead and buried five times and came back each time to win.  Carlos said that he couldn’t sleep that night because he kept going over the match wondering how he lost it!  He then followed Slatts progress every step of the way encouraging him on! 

Thanks to Bill Riles, who features twice in my report, both times for beating Brits.  He’s a great guy and it’s when I meet such nice people I wish we could get some big tournaments going in the UK with decent prize money to encourage the Americans to cross the water to England. 

Thanks to Mike Svobodny for making my day when he saw me playing poker and came over and gave me his Personal Invitation to his Las Vegas tourney.  I knew it was meant for Slatts but it made me feel important!  When I told Mike this he said “No it wasn’t – we couldn’t invite Slatts dressed like that!  If he came you would have to dress him in a potato sack!”  Unfortunately, Mike, the Gilbertson tourney is on in the UK at the same time and as a sponsor I have to be there!

So here is the diary of events as far as I can remember it.  I only decided to write a report when Slatts was 9-14 down in his first 15 point match so there was no writing until then!

Day 1-5

The three of us arrived at Las Vegas airport after a 10+ hour flight from Gatwick and were determined to stay up as late as possible, to try and beat the jet lag.  So much for that theory!  We got our hire car checked and into our timeshare resort The Sunttera Desert Paradise Resort and were very pleased with the accommodation.  It was spacious and had everything we were likely to need for our 10 day stay.  We were a bit concerned that it was 2km from the Strip but this proved to be no problem at all.  John G did all the driving and exploring. Vegas was so easy as all the hotels did Valet Parking.  This meant that we could choose a different hotel every day and explore the area.  That first day we drove to The Bellagio and had a snack and then went on the tram to The Monte Carlo.  We checked out the poker rooms but were far too tired to play anything and ended up in bed by 9pm!  Woke next day at 5am so I was in the gym by 7.30!  I made this part of my routine most days and even got bruv John trained to come with me.  We followed the workout with 10 minutes in the hot tub and were then ready for action!

Las Vegas is exhausting it is soooo big!  Each hotel is enormous and like a mini town!  They are all themed and have their own free attractions and of course are full of noisy slot machines!  We visited the Luxor (Egyptian theme), Excalibur, Mandalay Bay, Bellagio, Monte Carlo, Mirage, New York, New York, MGM, Tropicana, Orleans, Treasure Island, Riviera Venitian, Paris and Aladdin.  The Mirage had a fantastic night spectacular “The Volcano” where the water is set on fire.  Treasure Island had a free pirate adventure called The Sirens.  The Bellagio had a wonderful musical fountain display.  There were lions at MGM and white tigers at the Mirage and all of these were free!  We walked our socks off during the day and usually ended up back at the resort with a glass of wine before going to bed early.  We did manage to find an evening to go to downtown.  This is the original Vegas where we visited The Golden Nugget and Binnions and saw two of the overhead light shows, which cost $50 million to create! 

On the day the tournament started we were up at 5am as we were off to the Grand Canyon.  We had decided to take advantage of the Graveyard Breakfast Special – Steak & Eggs for $2.95! at The Orleans. 

The headline here has to be – “Slatts Nearly Arrested For Vagrancy!”

As most of you will know Slatts is always dressed up to the nines at backgammon tournaments.  This day, however, he was in a tee-shirt, jeans and was wearing a baseball cap.  After the early start he sat in the foyer and closed his eyes.  He wasn’t there long before a security guard came along and told him this was not acceptable behaviour.  Slatts protested and said he was only meditating, not sleeping, but this didn’t carry any weight.  In Vegas, it’s eyes open or off to your room!

The Grand Canyon trip was something not to be missed.  We had a stretch limo take us to the airport where we boarded a helicopter for a flight over the Hoover Dam and Canyon.  We landed in the Canyon and then took a platoon boat ride up the Colorado River where we had a picnic and champagne.  The scenery is breathtaking and I am sure the photos I took won’t do it justice but the memories will always be there.

So then on to the Riviera and the Las Vegas Open Tournament.  So we had been in Vegas for five days and had not gambled at all!  We had to put that right!  We had already seen Dod and Jo earlier in the week when Dod and Wayne were playing in the Pro-Am.  They were hoping to better their semi-final win last year.  They made a good start by beating Steve Sax and his partner in the first round but unfortunately got beaten by Paul Weaver and partner in Round 2.  Wayne didn’t stay for the Open.  We met up with the rest of the Brits – 14 players in all.  Laurence Powell (C), Ray Tanner (C), Peter Chan (C) Rachel Rhodes (I), Tom Duggan (I), Julian Fetterlein (C), Peter Bennett (C), Dave Edwards (I), Diane Iveson (B),  Dod (C) Slatts (C), Jo (I) John G (I) and me (I).

John G and I signed up for the Seniors Tournament and I am pleased to report that I was asked to prove my age as no one believed I was over 50!  This was also true of Peter Pan.  Peter Bennett who having been knocked out in the first round made a good investment by buying back in and then went on to win the Seniors Tournament.  An excellent result for the Brits.  Quote from Peter on the flight back talking to Slatts “At least you can’t challenge me for my title for another five years”. 

John G and I were both out first round so we decided to check out the Poker tables.  Neither of us had played cash games before but as this was all that was on offer we had a go.  Slatts had misunderstood the programme and thought there was a new Super Jackpot each day but there was only one!  Howard decided to let him play in the Limited Jackpot this one time only!  He won his first round and then joined us for the Poker.  It proved to be a good first session with Slatts and John contributing a profit of approx. $700 to the kitty. 

The Main Tournament starts off with the Calcutta Auction at 11 a.m.   The organisers pretty much make sure that there is a large number of people in attendance as they give away (yes, give away!) $7,500 – 5 prizes of $500 and 4 prizes of $1,000.   The only stipulation is that you have to be in the room at the time your name is called out.   Guess whose name was pulled out first – no not mine unfortunately, it was Dod’s – well done to him!

On Day 1 of the Championship Main Tournament only Lawrence and Slatts got through their matches to play in Day 2. 

I started watching Slatts first match when he was 9-14 down to 15.  He won the Crawford game and came back to 14-14.  In this game it looked like it was all over when Arjang (white) was in this position

Arjang threw 55 to leave a slot on the 6-point.  Slatts threw 21 to hit. He closed his board and was bearing off when he threw 66 to leave a slot on his 4-point.

Arjang threw 45 but played 54 and didn’t hit giving Slatts the match. 

I didn’t see the match against Ray Fogerland but Slatts won 15-12. 

In his first Jackpot game on Day 1 Slatts won 13-3 but then he came up against Carlos Azcarate.  He was trailing 9-12 down to 13 Crawford and looked like he was going to lose the match but managed to win this crucial game. With the score 10-12 they had a break and Slatts did his usual late double when they came back, Carlos dropped and the score was now 11-12.  In the final game Carlos had three of Slatts’s men back on his 2- & 1-points with a 5 point prime, but he still found a way to escape and win!  This game had gone on for about an hour.  Carlos thought he had the game won 5 times but each time Slatts came back from the dead.  Carlos called him Freddie Kruger because it was all so scary!!

In the first round of the Main tournament Peter Bennett sat down to play Bill Riles from Houston.   With Peter (black) leading the match 12-10 to 15, he felt quietly confident that he could win an un-doubled gammon to go to Crawford when the position was as follows:-

15 point match

Peter continues to roll badly and loses 2 points instead of winning 2!. Bill picks up the next game and with the score now 12-13 Peter cubes …

and Bill Passes, taking the score to 13-13.

Peter rolls well and after rolling a 44, which gave him a good position, he cubes for match in this position and Bill takes.

Peter then rolls 55 and two rolls later he rolled 33 and two rolls later 66 which got all his men in leaving Bill with a lone checker on Peter’s 1-point.  Peter then rolls 65 leaving a blot on the 5-point (2 men off) and Bill hits it with 42.  Now it was Bill’s turn for the luck he rolls a 33 to give himself a 6 prime with his 1-point open.  Peter throws the 1 but then has to break his board.  Soon after that Bill rolled a 55 giving him eight checkers off and goes on to win the match.  Unlucky Peter.

Rachel, Tom and I all made it through to Day 2 of the Intermediate Main, but our lucky dice ran out.  I managed one more round and one round in the Consolidation before bombing out.  Tom was the only one of us to play a match on Day 3 but he too ended up in the Last Chance on Sunday.

Lawrence was unlucky losing to David Todd, the eventual winner.   With the score 2-away, 4-away in David’s favour Lawrence got himself into a strong position where he looked liked he could get a gammon for the match.   Unfortunately, for him he was hit in the bear-off and only won 2 points to level the match 13-13.  The cube was turned early in the next game and he didn’t get much of a look-in and lost the match.

After Day 2 the Brits had three horses to watch.  Slatts in the Main and Limited Jackpot, Julian in the Consolidation and Super Jackpot and Peter in the Seniors.  During the day Slatts had once again “found a way” (his now favourite saying!) when he once again came back from being down. 

In his match against Dean Adamion from Michigan he trailed 7-11 to 15 to win 15-13. 

In his match against Ken Fischer from California (Japan Open winner) it was neck and neck most of the time.  With the score at 7-4 Slatts (black) had a 11 to play in this position. 

After much deliberation he decided not to hit on the 5-point but to bring two men to the 9-point, 11/9(2).   There were a few Brits spectating and the consensus of opinion was that Slatts should have hit on the 5-point.  He had certainly considered it as he originally made that move and considered the hit on his 12-point before changing his mind and playing safe (for a change!)    The wrong decision as it turned out as Ken rolled 55 to escape and win the race.   

When the score reached 12-11 to Slatts they decided to break for dinner.  Ken, Slatts, Peter C, Tom, John G, Diane and I headed for Kady’s Café to eat.  We amused Ken with some of our English words “Haggis” is a make of diaper (nappy to us!) in the USA.  Slatts amused us by recalling his first visit to the States in 1978 when he went into a shop and asked for 20 fags!! 

When play resumed Ken won the next three games and went 12-14 ahead Crawford, however, Slatts managed an un-doubled gammon to level the match.  He then managed to win the last game to go through to Day 3.

Julian was having a busy day as he had to play 3 Consolidation matches and 2 Super Jackpot matches.  I didn’t see any of the games but know he was triumphant as he was still in both competitions the next day.  Slatts won his next Jackpot game 13-2 and went straight into a match with Bill Riles.  This was the same Bill that had beaten Peter B in the Main. In the early stages of the match Slatts and Bill both dropped each other’s offer of the cube and were level at 4-4 when Slatts remarked, “Obviously neither of us is taking a cube against each other in case we get gammoned!”  He then proceeded to take the next cube, got gammoned and went 4-8 down!  He said, “See, I told you what would happen!”  Bill then declined all further cubes!  With the score at 12-11 to 13 Slatts looked like he was going to go into the next day unbeaten in the tournament.  Bill had other ideas though and managed to win an un-doubled gammon and the match.  He did remark to Slatts that he was lucky to win the match and lucky to beat him.  We were pleased to see that his luck and good play held out and he went on to win the Jackpot.

On the Saturday there is only play for those who are still in the Main or Consolation unless players want to enter new jackpots.  Some of the Brits went machine-gun shooting.  Dod led the expedition having been before.  Both Peters, Lawrence, Tom and Diane went along and had a great time. 

Meanwhile I stayed behind to watch Slatts battle it out against Herb Gurland from Boston.  With the score at 12-9 to Slatts, Slatts (black) offers the cube in this position and Herb passes. Score 13-9

Next game Herb cubes and Slatts takes but Herb throws an awkward 65, he moves 13/7, 6/1* in this position:

The game continues until this position, where Slatts has a 33 to play :

After several more dances Slatts still manages to throw a double-six and a double-two and saves the gammon. Score 13-11

Herb chooses to play a back-game and Slatts has trouble making a board, whilst Herb has his 6-, 5-, 3- & 2-points, Slatts only has his 6- & 2-points.  Slatts rolls a fortuitous 44, which hits and makes his 5-point, followed by his 3-point.  Herb keeps dancing.

Herb rolls 64 and comes in and out. Slatts  rolls an awkward 64 and leaves two shots on, his 8- & 5-points.  Herb considers cubing, he needs a 4 or a1 to hit.  He does cube and Slatts takes!  Herb misses by rolling 32.

Slatts goes on to win 15-11.   

I then saw Ken Fischer playing his Consolation match and went over to see how he was doing.  He was 8-10 down Crawford, against Herb Roman.

Ken (black) has a 22 to play and hits loose on the 1-point from his 7-point;  not what Snowie would have done but it works out okay! Herb dances and Ken covers.  When bearing off he rolls a 41 followed by a 51, leaves a shot and gets hit.

Herb has a closed board, rolls 53 and debates whether or not to clear his 6-point or to play 5/0.

Herb chooses to clear his 6-point.  Ken dances and ends up losing the match.  It wasn’t to be his tournament this year. 

Slatts now had a 15 point match to play against Hugh Sconyers in the semi-final.  Slatts (black) had rolled a 44 followed by 55 to find himself in this position. 

Hugh cubes to 4, Slatts drops. Score 0-2

Next game Hugh cubes to 2, Slatts takes and then gets hit twice.  Hugh closes his board and starts bearing off.  Slatts manages to save the gammon!   Score 0-4.

Slatts was a favourite in the next game and cubed to 2 which Hugh took.  Slatts then rolled an unfortunate 42 which meant he had to break his 5 point prime and leave a blot on Hugh’s 7-point.  Hugh threw the 6 to hit, Slatts danced, Hugh threw 66 to take three men out of Slatts’s home board and re-cubed.  Slatts had to drop. Score 0-6

Hugh was definitely getting the better run of the dice and obviously knew how to play them!  He soon had a 4 point board, however Slatts managed to get his men out and on to Hugh’s 7-point, Hugh had one man back at this time.

Hugh has 63 to play and moves his two men off his 8-point, then play continues thus:

Hugh goes on to roll a double-six and saves the gammon. Score 2-6

In the next game Slatts threw a badly timed 11 forcing the play 8/7 with four checkers. 

Hugh cubes and Slatts takes.

Slatts next roll was 44 and he moved two checkers from 24/16 and hit.  Hugh has three men back but a 5 point board.  Slatts rolls 65 twice in a row forcing the play to the 1-point twice.  Hugh rolls a 41 and has to break his 5-point.  Slatts rolls 65 again but this time doesn’t mind leaving the shot!  Hugh misses!   A few rolls later Hugh rolls 66 to get out of trouble.   Slatts then has to leave a shot which Hugh hits, Slatts dances three times but rolls well enough to save the gammon. Score 2-8

Play resumes after a ciggie break for Slatts.   Pay particular attention to this next game – Slatts at his rolling best!

With being so far behind in the match when Slatts has one man back against Hugh having two back, Slatts cubes and Hugh takes.   Slatts (black) fails to run his back checker out as he can’t roll high enough to jump over Hugh’s 4-prime.  Fortunately for him Hugh rolls high numbers and fails to point on him.

Poor Hugh must have wondered how on earth he lost those 4 points (as did everyone else!)

Nothing worth reporting on in the next game which Hugh won to make the score 6-9.

Slatts has a 4/4 to play in this next position.

He plays two checkers to his 14-point.   Hugh considers giving the cube and eventually does and Slatts takes.  Hugh later rolls an awkward 53 to leave a 7 shot.  Slatts rolls the 7 hits and re-cubes, which Hugh has to drop. Score 8-9

Slatts dances early on a one point board in the next game and ends up with four men back.   Hugh hits loose on his 5-point but Slatts misses.   He makes up a bit of ground by rolling 66 (as he does!).   A bit later in the game Slatts rolls double 3 in this position

Slatts cubes and Hugh takes.

In the next game Slatts cubes early and Hugh takes.  Hugh is on the bar but rolls double 5 which works well for him.   Slatts has a lone man back on Hugh’s 1-point and he moves it up to the 4-point.  Hugh hits loose and gets hit back – he now has three men back on Slatts’s 5-point.   After several more rolls the position is:-

Hugh rolls double 6 and moves 20/2 7/1.   He continues his run of doubles with double 4 followed by double 5, but Slatts manages to roll a double 6 when both of them had six men left and wins the two points. Score 10-12

Slatts has a 64 to play he hits loose from the mid-point, Hugh dances and passes the cube. Score 12-12.

In the next game Hugh is on the bar and decides to cube in this position:

According to Snowie this is a No Double, take.   Slatts takes.

A few rolls later it looks like curtains for Slatts when he has two men on the bar against a 4-point board, however, Hugh chooses to leave the double 4 shot too many times and on the 4th attempt Slatts hits!   Hugh comes in and out and after a few more rolls Slatts cubes to 4 for match:

Hugh takes, which is correct according to Snowie. They both roll two doubles each during the race home and bear-off.  With Slatts on roll, Hugh has three checkers on his 2-point and one checker on his 1-point.  Slatts has one checker on each of his 4- and 2-points.  He rolls double 2 to go through to the Final.  What a result!

The night was still young so Slatts, John G and I decided to play some more poker.  There was a tournament on at The Orleans so we headed there.   When we got there we opted for a really nice meal in a Chinese restaurant with some Pinot Grigio to wash it down.  John G and I played on a slot machine and ended $17.75 up!  This was about the sum of my contribution to the kitty!

With finals day here the Brits still had Peter in the Seniors, Julian in the Consolation and Slatts in the Main. We considered this to be a great result as there was a field of 225 players overall and a number of strong players.

When Slatts was playing his Final I was trying hard to lose my Last Chance matches so I could watch and support him.  But could I lose – no!  I went four rounds but unfortunately for Slatts his match was over too quickly.  The final score was 3-17 to David Todd.  Spectators told me that Slatts had been rolled off the board.  At 3-6 down Slatts recalled this position for me which resulted in a 4-point swing against him.

          

He felt confident of winning a gammon but could not succeed in rolling a 4 or 6 to escape his last back man.  His board crunched and David won the 2 points.  Slatts never got a look in and was very disappointed that he didn’t have a chance to put on a better show for the Brits.  Never mind Slatts to quote Myke Wignall ”Your still my No.1 Player”.

Julian looked like he was going to win his Consolation match but unfortunately he came 2nd.  I wish now that I had opted out of the Last Chance and had done a better reporting job as I didn’t see one roll of Julian’s match either.  I’ll bear this in mind next year!!   We definitely will be back!

The 3 of us had a great trip with Slatts finishing his winning streak with a late-night game of poker where he won $1100 in one session making his overall winnings at poker $2.5K.

For all of you readers out there that have not yet taken a trip across the water to the Las Vegas Open I can definitely recommend it.   As well as the tournament there is just so much to keep you busy.   Just remember to get there a few days early to ensure the jet lag doesn’t take over!

 

Rosey Bensley