October 2025 Newsletter: The Joy of Backgammon: A Game for a Lifetime
- karen.davis
- 5 days ago
- 6 min read
The Joy of Backgammon: A Game for a Lifetime
There are few pleasures as timeless as sitting across a board, shaking the dice, and watching a game of backgammon unfold. Whether you’re playing at home, in a café, or in a tournament halfway across the world, backgammon offers a rare mix of fun, focus, and friendship that enriches life at every age.
A Game That Keeps Giving
Backgammon is one of the world’s oldest games, and perhaps that’s why it feels so enduring. Each roll of the dice brings a spark of chance; each move, a test of judgment and intuition. You can play for minutes or hours, for money or pride — the enjoyment lies not just in winning (although that is great!), but in the play itself: the conversation, the rhythm, the shared delight when a clever move turns the tide.
Unlike many pursuits that fade with time, backgammon is something you can play for life. It requires no strength or speed, only curiosity, patience, and a sense of humor. It keeps the mind sharp while keeping the body relaxed — a perfect combination for those who may no longer run marathons, but still crave the thrill of competition and the joy of mastery.
A Game of Camaraderie
Part of backgammon’s magic lies in its ability to bring people together. Around a board, age, background, and status melt away. An 18-year-old and an 80-year-old can be perfectly matched, laughing over the same dice rolls. It’s a social equalizer: you can’t buy skill, only earn it through practice, observation, and good sportsmanship.
Over time, backgammon builds friendships that stretch far beyond the board. Clubs become communities, tournaments feel like reunions, and local players turn into lifelong friends. The bonds formed over shared games and good-natured rivalry are among the most enduring joys of the game.
The Well-Being of Play
Science now confirms what backgammon players have long felt: shared, mentally engaging play delivers profound health benefits. Research in Frontiers in Psychology and The Journals of Gerontology shows that social and cognitive activities — especially games — help maintain memory, reduce loneliness, and even support cardiovascular health.
Backgammon delivers all of that in one elegant package. It sharpens the mind through strategy, probability, and planning, while laughter and connection nourish emotional well-being and happiness. Every match is a lesson in balance — luck and logic, humility and confidence. Whether you study doubling cube theory or simply play for joy, backgammon sustains curiosity, purpose, and presence — three powerful ingredients for lifelong vitality.
A Lifelong Companion
In a world that moves too fast, backgammon slows us down just enough to savor the moment. It keeps our minds active, our friendships strong, and our spirits playful. Whether you are 20 or 90, backgammon is a companion that never tires of your company — a lifelong reminder that joy, like the dice, is meant to be shared.
– Women's World of Backgammon Board Members,
Karen Davis, Melanie Hughes, & Irina Litzenberger
A New Look for a Growing Movement
Women’s World of Backgammon (WWB) is proud to unveil our new logo — a symbol of forward momentum and collective purpose.
The clean, modern design reflects our commitment to future action and forward thinking, as we build a truly global community for women who love backgammon. It represents WWB’s vision: to connect, support, and celebrate women players everywhere — from emerging enthusiasts to world champions.
Together, we’re shaping a more inclusive and vibrant future for backgammon.
Join us. Play. Support. Celebrate.
Update: WBIF Women’s World Competitions
The WBIF Women’s World Team Championships are under way with 25 countries including 136 women participating. Ireland is Undefeated and leads the field. The Top 11 teams as of October 14 include:
Ireland
Argentina
Australia
Turkey
Norway
Denmark
Georgia
Iran
Germany
U.S.
Ukraine
The WBIF Women’s World Championship is in its final phase. Fifty women who were in the top third of their Regional Qualifiers are competing. After three rounds, five women are undefeated; 22 have 2 wins and 1 loss; 14 have 1 win and 2 losses. Women losing three matches are eliminated. The top 5 undefeated women include:
Paola Aiello (Italy)
Pernille Rosendal (Denmark)
Martha Gjelseth (Norway)
Merrin Rose (UK)
Tiffany Van (USA)
Winning Women Around the World
Women are increasingly placing in American Backgammon Tour and international events.
Women placing in events in September-October 2025 include:
TBT - 19th ANKARA REGIONAL BACKGAMMON CHAMPIONSHIP - WBF
October 10-12, 2025; Ankara, Türkiye
LADIES PRIZE (6): 1-Gülderen Gücavli, 2-Elif Cesmeli.
UKBGT - NEWCASTLE OPEN TOURNAMENT
October 10-12, 2025; Newcastle, United Kingdom
MASTERS (74): 3/4-Rachel Rhodes; 2C-Merrin Rose
DOUBLES: 2-Sarah Joliff & Kev Jones
ABT - WILD WEST SHOOTOUT: 7th ANNUAL DENVER OPEN BACKGAMMON TOURNAMENT
October 8-12, 2025; Denver, Colorado
Denver was a great tournament for women! Kara Schultz was the Undefeated bracket Champion, losing narrowly to David Winn who came back through the Fighter’s bracket. Lynda Clay placed 1st in 3 events and 2nd in another 2 events. Teri Harmon won the Annie Oakley and came in 2nd place to Jennifer Owens in Main of the Greenhorns division. Sue Will tied with Tommy Tallarico for first in Consolation in ABT Division 2 event. Newcomer Matina Soutsos came in second in the ABT Novice Greenhorns event. Carol Joy Cole finished second in Senior Wranglers event. Congratulations to all!
ABT DIVISION 1 - BISON (54): 2-Kara Schultz (CA).
ABT DIVISION 2 - GUNSLINGERS (25): 1C-Tommy Tallarico (CA) / Sue Will (IL).
ABT DIVISION 3 - WARRIORS (24): 1-Jennifer Owens (CO), 2-Teri Harmon (CA);
ABT DIVISION 4 - GREENHORNS (8): 2-Matina Soutsos (FL).
GUNSLINGER JACKPOT (40): 1-Lynda Clay (CO),
RUSTLER QUICKIE (DMP) (40): 1-Lynda Clay (CO), 3-April Mesich (MN).
SENIOR WRANGLERS (16): 2-Carol Joy Cole (MI).
WOLF BLITZ (64): 2-Teri Harmon (CA).
ANNIE OAKLEY SHOOTOUT (15): 1-Teri Harmon (CA), 2-Lynda Clay (CO); 1C/2C-Irina Litzenberger (VA) / Candace Mayeron (CA).
HIGH-NOON DOUBLES SHOOTOUT (32 teams): 1-Lynda Clay (CO) & LeAnn Roberts (CO),
LAST STAND (32): 2-Lynda Clay (CO)
CNB - 25th CITTÀ DI JESOLO BACKGAMMON TOURNAMENT
September 30-October 4, 2025; Jesolo Lido, Italy
Great tournament for Eva Zizkova – winning or placing in four events! Congratulations!
SINGLE & DOUBLE CONSULTING (27 teams): 1-Honza Cerny (Czechia) & Eva Zizkova (Czechia),
FAST GAMMON (16): 1- 2-Eva Zizkova (Czechia).
SUPERJACKPOT #1 (16): 2-Eva Zizkova (Czechia).
LADIES PRIZE: Eva Zizkova (Czechia).
OASIS INTERNATIONAL BACKGAMMON CUP
September 23-28, 2025; Dubai, United Arab Emirates
Congratulations Antoinette-Marie Williams for winning the Women's Tournament
WOMEN'S TOURNAMENT (24): 1-Antoinette Williams (USA), 2-Akemi Ota (USA), 3-Marianne Snarheim Husum (Norway).
INTERMEDIATES (59): 1LC-Zahra Shilaei (Iran)
UKBGT - MIDLANDS BACKGAMMON OPEN TOURNAMENT
September 19-21, 2025; Birmingham, United Kingdom
'LEGLESS CUP': 1-Catherine Seale, 2-Rosalie Johnson
Recent WWB YouTube Videos
Two of Europe's top women players: Laura Monaco (Italy) and Merrin Rose (UK) played in the Fifth Round of the European/South African Regional WBIF Women's World Championship) on Saturday, September 6. Melissa Shin and Julia Hayward are expert commentators.
Karen Davis and Antoinette-Marie Williams played in the fifth round of the Americas regional qualifier of the Women's World Championship on
Monday, September 8.
Denise Kaiser and Irina Litzenberger are expert commentators.
2025 WWB Doubles Event Round 1:
2025 WWB Doubles Event Round 2:
2025 WWB Doubles Event Round 3:
2025 WWB Doubles SEMI-FINAL:
2025 WWB Doubles FINAL:
Additional Informational Sessions:
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