Wednesday October 23

Despite a couple of our stalwarts being away we still had fifteen players for the night.

Arthur Ramer was drawn as the jackpot player but despite getting a free ride as the “bye”in the first round he failed to collect.

Final placings were:

1^st Ben Anderson

2^nd Carol Wakelin 

3^rd Breck McCormack

Don't forget the Australian Open at the Persian Rose on 23 November.

Ben Anderson looks quietly confident as David Layman scratches his head.

Susan Wan and Eva Bitel play under the watchful eye of Giancarlo Yannoulis.

In the War of the Wans  husband and wife Susan and Kee Yio tussle over  a board.

Breck and Mahnaz do battle with Mohammad Nejati and Rafael Chattah watching on.

Wednesday October 16

A very healthy turn-up tonight – 16 players, the most we have had for a while.

Welcome back to Giancarlo Yannoulis after your European escapade – the final results prove you have not forgotten  your skills.

Rafael Chattah was drawn as the jackpot player but on this occasion went home empty handed even though he finished a respectable 4^th after eventual winner John Symon, with Giancarlo Yannoulis in 2^nd and Ned Marootians scooping up third place.

The Australian Open is on the weekend of 23 and 24 November  at the Persian Rose restaurant – please put the date in your diary .

See you all again next week!!

Opponents Gary stavrou and Grayham Rundle look pretty happy  but newly returned observer Giancarlo Yannoulis just looks perplexed.

Carol Wakelin and David Layman battle out the last round on David's nice new board.

Ned Marootians and Hamish Moore seem to be having a happy match.

John Symon and Mahnaz Rostami seem to be having and intense match.

Wednesday October 9

A baker dozen competitors fronted up to battle over the boards tonight.

Mahnaz Rostami was picked as the jackpot player but on this occasion she was unable to claim the purse.

Welcome back to Grayham Rundle who has returned after holidaying in Europe refreshed and toting a very swanky new board!

Congratulations to David Layman for defeating Arthur Ramer in the giant slayer contest, wresting 457 from him in the process.

The final result was :

Eva Bitel 1^st

Ned Marootians 2^nd

Mohammad Nejati 3^rd

Husband and wife Susan and Kee Yio Wan battle side by side.

Ben Anderson and Arthur Ramer are taking this game very seriously.

Grayham Rundle looks pretty happy playing Angelo Voulgaris on his new board.

Sydney Open

Sunday October 6^th saw the 2^nd Sydney Open Backgammon Tournament being held at the Canada Bay Club in Five Dock.

Twenty three players attended, slightly less than last year, but a combination of school holidays, the NRL grand final, a long weekend and the start of daylight saving time may have all contributed to this, and these factors will be taken into consideration when picking next year's date.

All players competed in the first round with the top 12 after 3 rounds going on to compete for the main prize and the remainder participating in a second flight tournament.

All matches were to 7 points, with two being played before the lunch break and last match of the 1^st flight and all 3 of the two second flight matches taking place over the afternoon and early evening.

Arthur Ramer was the eventual victor taking home not only the Main flight prize money and a beautiful crystal doubling cube, but also an entry to a $1000 satellite tournament in the upcoming Melbourne tournament - thanks to Ralph Burd for supporting us in this way – your generosity is very much appreciated.

Robbie Solomon picked up 2^nd place and also the side pool as he was the top-placing player of the five who entered.

Ron Shaked took out the main flight consolation prize

Kee Yio Wan won the Second flight tournament. 

Mahnaz Rostami took home the Second flight consolation prize.

Susan Wan and Ned Marootians in a tense match - Mohammed Nejati is an interested observer.

Thank you all for your support and we hope to see you all again next year.

Michelle Taubman and Arthur Ramer look pretty happy.

Mahnaz Rostami takes on Richard Fry with the John Symon-Robby Solomon tussle in the background.

Jim Bean and Ron Shaked in an early match with Greg Mitchell from Newcastle watching on.

Tournament director Gary Stavrou and Brenton Mestal play on with Garys daughter Electra assisting on the desk.

Eva Bitel and Hamish Moore in an early match.

Wednesday September 25

A very robust group of 12 took to the boards tonight  and the first order of business was to draw the jackpot player.

Rafael Chattah was the jackpot pick of the day, but was unsuccessful this time.

Final placings were :

Gary Stavrou was top of the heap, John Symon just one point behind in second , and third place was split between Eva Bitel and Ned Marootians.

The final match of the night between John Symon and Mahnaz Rostami with interested observers Ned Marootians, Gary Stavrou and Mohammad Nejati

For those coming to the Canada Bay tournament on Sunday October 6^th, please remember to set your clock forward on the Saturday so you arrive on time.

The final rolls in a match between David Layman and Ben Anderson

John Symon and Eva Bitel in an early match

Ned and Mahnaz in an early  tussle.

Wednesday September 18

Ten players arrived for the evening's play and the newly returned Carol was chosen as the jackpot player.

Results for the giant slayer match between John Symon and Arthur Ramer were submitted, with Arthur retaining his points.

Final placings were:

TD Gary Stavrou 1^st

Arthur Ramer 2^nd

Breck McCormack 3^rd

Mahnaz Rostami and Breck McCormack in a serious battle.

John Symon and  Eva Bitel battle for first round supremacy.

Mohammad Nejati and Angelo Voulgaris enjoying their first round match.

Wednesday September 11

A total of twelve backgammoners faced off tonight.

It is worth repeating the late-comer rule as, unfortunately, two players were affected by it.

At 6.30 sharp the computer shuffles the names of those present.
If the number of players is odd, the computer randomly picks a player as the bye and 100 points are awarded for the un-played first round.

Players arriving after the shuffle are considered late-comers.
They may enter the tournament at the second round but, unlike a bye, are not awarded any points.

It was good to see Ned Marootians come tonight. 
We would like to see more of you, Ned.

David Layman was drawn as the Jackpot player but failed to capitalise on the opportunity.

The results for the evening were:

1st place, Gary Stavrou
2nd place, Jim Bean
3rd place, David Layman

Sorry for the lack of photos the last three weeks but our resident photographer, Carol, has been on holidays and will be back next week.