Bibafax Magazine Details & Membership 2012Bibafax, the association's backgammon publication is now a subscription only magazine. It is available in three formats: black & white, full colour or on CD or Email. NB: All costs include postage. Bibafax subscriptions (starting in January, reducing in stages) . . . .
Only subscribers to Bibafax can become full members of Biba and take part in all Biba tournaments. Details of costs can be found on the Subscription Form
Subscription fees can be paid in one of three ways (sterling): Cheque payable to Biba Cash at tournament Please go to the Subscription Form 2012 to subscribe. This will open in a new window ready for you to print out and send back to Biba HQ.
What is Biba?
Biba is a backgammon association dedicated to the promotion of backgammon. It is run by backgammon players, for backgammon players. Therefore it caters for and is sympathetic to the needs of all backgammon players. It is the biggest independent association dedicated to backgammon in the world - yet it caters for everyone regardless of ability. It was initially set up in December 1989 by Michael Crane, after repeated requests from many players who were looking for exciting, well run, fun tournaments. In all the years since then, Biba has done precisely that, going from strength to strength, having a database of over 1500 players - possibly one near you! Money collected by Biba through its various promotions is placed in the Biba account for reinvestment in the Association and does not go to any individual person; however, Michael is paid for administration costs from the account via tournament registration fees plus an annual retainer from hotel venues to assist in the daily running of the association. Biba, unlike other associations, does not have a written constitution, nor does it have elected officers. It is administrated and directed by Michael and he is assisted by Biba members, who do so on a voluntary basis. Michael's work is funded via registration fees, and via the retainer from hotel venues; both based upon tournament attendance. When you join Biba, and agree to being placed upon our mailing list, upon request you will be sent a list of players nearest to you based upon postcodes. We have over 1500 backgammon players on our list covering most of Britain and many countries throughout the world.
Biba tournaments regularly attract up to 120+ players and all levels of players are catered for, beginners up to the most advanced. Although the games are hard fought, the emphasis at each tournament is fun, and it is always a very enjoyable weekend. Biba caters for everyone and you will progress at your own pace to become a better player. By entering our tournaments your game will improve tremendously and you will learn to play backgammon as it is played internationally. You will also meet and make new friends who enjoy backgammon as much as you do. To a large extent, members have a say in how the association is run and are regularly asked to vote upon certain issues from time to time. As a member your opinion is listened to and acted upon whenever possible.
Biba Ranking & Championships Tournaments We organise twelve tournaments each year (Swiss & Knockout) from which we decide our Ranking Championship, based upon a qualifying 14, 11-point matches of which the average score decides the Champion. The ranking formula used by Biba has been developed and modified over the years to give an accurate ranking score recognised all over the world. In a 'Swiss-Format' system (4 tournaments a year) each player will play six others over a series of 6, 11-point matches, (sometimes a 7th round is played by the leading players). Eventually we end up with the best player of the tournament. Trophies and prizes are awarded for the Winner, Runner-up. The Biba Championship is based upon two sections - Swiss and Knockouts - being decided over a series of Grand Prix tournaments (all formats) in which players gain points towards an annual total based upon matches won - the champion being the player who gains most points in the year. Click here to go to the Championship Tables This exciting circuit of tournaments means that not only are you playing for the Biba Championship, but you are also playing in the Ranking Championship as well; and if that's not enough, each tournament is a title in its own right! As well as the Main tournament we also have a Friday night knockout and a Saturday night doubles knockout. That adds up to a great weekends backgammon, played in some of the finest hotels in the country.
Other Tournaments These tournaments organised directly by Biba are only some of the many tournaments held in the UK. Many more are on a local basis including The Irish Open, held in Dublin and the Merseyside Trophy held in Liverpool (both eligible for Grand Prix status). Clubs all over the country hold weekly meetings at which members are encouraged to hold their own tournaments and all are frequently mentioned in the Bibafax.
Subscription Benefits
Also available, Bibafax back issues on CD-ROM (see here) We hope after reading this far through our application form that you decide to join us. If you do, then the next thing to do is to fill in the form here. The link will take you to the form in a new window for easy printing and send it with the appropriate remittance payable to Biba. Send your form and cheque by post to: Biba, 2 Redbourne Drive, Lincoln. LN2 2HG |
Frequently Asked Questions.
Link to our FAQ page - Things you need to know about tournaments.
Link to our FAQ page - Things you need to know about tournaments.
Biba is altering slightly for 2012, although still predominately a subscription-based, members-only Association, certain events will be open to ‘the public’ albeit via a temporary membership basis *. The ‘public’ events are the Bright ‘n’ Breezy (January), the British Doubles Championships (March), the XIII Scottish Open (March), the British Open (April) and the Biba Olympic Backgammon Event (September); events at which there will be a temporary membership fee of £5. This temporary membership entitles players to win the guaranteed prize money posted for each event but does not cover any Winner-Takes-All Rollovers. All other Biba entry conditions will be as posted per event.
* Temporary members do not need to be subscribers to Bibafax. Temporary members can opt-in to full membership by paying the relevant level as posted in Subscription for January to March, after which opting-in will not qualify for any Biba Championship although they are able to subscribe or become full members regardless. IMPORTANT: Temporary members will be ranked in their (11-, 7- and 5-pointers) matches, and they will be awarded Grand Prix and BBT points where applicable; however, Rankings and Grand Prix points will not count towards the annual championships - these are for Full Biba Members only. In addition, Temporary members cannot qualify for the Friday 500, the Poker Finals or the UK Finals, and should any UK Finals Qualifying event be won by a Temporary member the vacant position will be filled by a Saturday Qualifier at the December event. NB: New Members (those who have not previously joined as Temporary members) can join at any time and will be eligible for benefits of Full membership including Championships and annual prize fund payouts. There are no other changes for 2012 and all subscriptions and full membership fees remain as they were for 2011. If subscribers want to become members of Biba and take part in all 2012 Biba tournaments they can do so for a one-off payment of £15, either with their subscription or later. Click here for 2012 Subscriptions
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