Queensland Backgammon
invites all backgammon players to the
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2026
to be held at
Twin Towns Conference and Function Centre
River Room, Level 3
2 Wharf St, Tweed Heads NSW 2485
on
15 • 16 • 17 • 18 October 2026
TOURNAMENTS
2026 Australian Backgammon Open
$100 entry + optional $100 OR $50 side pools. Field limited to 128 players.
The Australian Backgammon Championships is produced by Ben Phillips.
All tournaments directed by Simon Woodhead and Sharne Dyett.
BMAB tournament directed by Andy Liepins.
ANZBGF ranking points will be awarded to finalists in the Open, Masters, Speed, Ladies and Doubles Championships.
The most coveted crown in Australian backgammon - the one everybody wants to win!
Two entry options - Thursday evening or Friday morning. There may be limited rebuys for players who lose the first round before entries close at Midday Friday, subject to availability.
The Open format is DOUBLE ELIMINATION with a progressive "Fighters" bracket - losers in the main rounds all the way up to the quarter-finals will have a chance of winning the championship.
Players may enter either side pool, but not both. Both pools will pay 80% to the highest placed player and 20% to the second highest placed player. In the event of ties, the payouts will be split evenly between the tied players.
Top 8 in the main tournament will cash, 1st, 2nd and 3rd/4th will receive trophies.
2026 Australian Backgammon Masters
$300 entry + optional $200 side pool. No rebuys. Field limited to 64 players.
Note: Masters registration closes at 4PM Friday.
Masters satellites will be run throughout Thursday, $75 entry to field of four.
Top 4 will cash, 1st and 2nd will receive trophies.
2026 Australian Speedgammon
$50 entry, rebuys available until field is full. Field limited to 64 players.
Note: to avoid scheduling conflicts, Masters players must be out of the Masters or the Open (Undefeated) to play in Speedgammon. Players not in the Masters can enter Speed subject to any pending Open matches.
Note: Matches will be to 5 points, with clocks at 2 minutes + 10 second delay.
Top 4 will cash, 1st and 2nd will receive trophies.
2026 Australian Backgammon Doubles
$100 entry per team. No rebuys or single entries. Field limited to 32 teams.
A pre-tournament event, the Doubles Championship has proved to be immensely popular. Teams must be available to play from 11AM Thursday.
Top 4 teams will cash, 1st and 2nd will receive trophies. NO rebuys, byes will be awarded if necessary.
NEW!! 2026 Australian Backgammon Ladies
$50 entry, no rebuys. Field limited to 32 ladies.
By popular demand, the first Australian Backgammon Ladies Champion will be crowned in October!
The Ladies tournament will start Saturday afternoon at 4PM.
Top 4 will cash, 1st and 2nd will receive trophies.
BMAB
$150 entry which covers transcription fees and recording equipment hire.
The Greg Ash Memorial
Starts Sunday. $20 entry with FREE re-entry until field of 32 is full.
NEW!! The After Tournament Tournament
Sunday 7PM.
Venue
Accommodation
Travel
General information
- 90% of Open, Masters, Ladies, Speedgammon and Doubles entry fees returned as cash prizes. Satellites, side events and the Greg Ash Memorial Tournament will return 100%.
- All entry fees to be paid in cash on the day unless paid prior. EFTPOS terminals are available in the club.
- Please bring your own board and clock (or clock app on your phone) if you can. No boards with hard (ie noisy) surfaces please!
- Doubles teams and BMAB players must pre-register and be available to play starting 11AM Thursday (QLD time). Note that these two events are mutually exclusive - you can enter one or the other but not both.
- Sunday's Greg Ash Memorial Tournament is open to all players who have not cashed in the main tournaments. Jackpots ($100/$50/$20) will be provided on demand for all players not involved in the major championships.
- All tournament matches (except Doubles) will be entered into the ANZBGF ratings system.
- All tournament matches will be played using ANZBGF Rules. All players should familiarise themselves with the rules. Hard copies will be available at the tournament.
- Dress code is smart casual and the ANZBGF Code of Ethics applies. Unsportsman like conduct will not be tolerated and will result in a report to the Ethics Committee.
- Precision Dice are Preferred in all tournaments. A set of precision dice consists of 4 dice, same size, 2 colours.
- Clocks are Mandatory in all tournaments except the Greg Ash Memorial tournament.
- Baffle Boxes are Preferred in all tournaments. Please bring your own Baffle Box or Dice Tower.
- Always check with the desk before leaving the playing area for any length of time. Penalty points may apply to players arriving late for a scheduled match.
- Breaks: One 5 minute break per player for matches of 9 or more points. No breaks (except essential comfort breaks) for shorter matches.
- A one-off $20 registration fee applies to all players who are not financial ANZBGF members. Join or renew your ANZBGF membership here.
- To register interest, please fill out the Registration Form or use the Contact Form if you have questions.
Match lengths and clock settings
- All clock settings are 90 seconds per point, rounded up, with a 12 second delay unless otherwise noted:
- Open Main Rounds: 9/9/9/9/9/11/11/13 point matches (14/14/14/14/14/17/17/20 minutes).
- Open Fighters Rounds: 7 point matches (11 minutes) QF 9pts/14 mins, SF 11pts/20 mins.
- Masters Rounds: 11/11/11/13/13 points (17/17/17/20/20 minutes).
- Masters satellites: 9 point matches, clocks preferred (14 minutes).
- Speedgammon: 5 point matches, clocks at 2 minutes total with 10 second delay.
- Ladies: 7 point matches, 9pt final, clocks at 11/14 minutes.
- Doubles Tournament: 7 point matches, 9 point Final, clocks at 11/14 minutes with 20 second delay.
- BMAB Tournament: 11 point matches, clocks at 22 minutes with 12 second delay.
- Greg Ash Memorial Tournament: 5 point matches, 7 point final, clocks optional (8/11 minutes).
- After Tournament Tournament: 5 point speed matches, clocks at 2 minutes total with 10 second delay.
- Jackpots: 7/9 point matches, clocks preferred (11/14 minutes).
BMAB (Backgammon Masters Awarding Body) events are recorded, transcribed and analysed by XG to determine Performance Rating (PR) and then entered into the BMAB system. For more information about BMAB, see about BMAB.
The BMAB tournament is limited to 12 players. BMAB participants must be available to play from 11AM Thursday. Eligibility is at the discretion of TD Andy Liepins. Tournament winner will receive $150 and a trophy.
A tournament for social players and anyone not cashing in the main events. The Greg Ash Memorial Tournament honours and remembers our dear departed Dr Greg Ash, who contributed so much to Australian backgammon. Top 4 will cash, 1st and 2nd will receive trophies. Clocks optional.
A final throw of the dice in Speedgammon format, $50 field of 32. For desperados and masochists only!
Online satellites
Open and Masters online satellites coming soon.
Preliminary Schedule
NOTE: the schedule is subject to change and will be refined as needed.
All times are QLD (EST). Please set your phones/clocks/watches accordingly.
Venue, Accommodation, Travel
The Twin Towns Conference and Function Centre is part of the Twin Towns Clubs + Resorts complex. Located right on the border of NSW and QLD, it is a 10 minute drive from Coolangatta Airport. Consider becoming a member to receive discounted food and drink. Just $10 per year.
The Sebel and Mantra hotels are connected to the function centre by a covered walkway.
Players who book the hotels via the link provided below will receive a 10% discount.
The 2026 Australian Backgammon Championships will be held in the River Room on the 3rd floor of the conference centre over 4 days - 15th/16th/17th/18th October 2026.
Link to map (opens new page)
To secure discounted accommodation, please download the PDF provided by the Sebel and Mantra hotels:
2026 Sebel & Mantra TwinTowns Accommodation Flyer
As with all hotel deals, prices are subject to change and the availability of rooms. The earlier you book, the better. The conference centre has also provided a handy map to help you find your way around the complex:
2026 TTCFC Twin Towns Delegates Map
There are numerous hotels within walking distance to suit all budgets.
Travel by air
The Gold Coast Airport at Coolangatta (OOL) is 5km from the venue. Taxis or Ubers will transfer you between the airport and your accommodation.
Travel by road
From north or south take the M1 and exit at Tweed Heads on to Kennedy Drive heading east. Bear left onto Mingjungbal Drive then follow Wharf St until you reach Twin Towns.
Parking
Free parking is available at Twin Towns. A multi-level underground car park is located below Mantra Twin Towns, across the road from Twin Towns main building. Access to this car park is via Stuart Street. Use the covered overhead walkway to enter the Club's reception. The Mantra car park opens at 6am daily and closes at 12am. There is also undercover parking and some outdoor parking spaces on the ground level of the Twin Towns main building; entry via Boundary Street.
Registration
Important Information
If this is your first major tournament, here's a nice little video to help you on your way: Playing In Our First Backgammon Tournament
And from the same team, help with clocks: What's the deal with backgammon clocks?
Contact