Gammon Zone

www.gammonzone.com

GammonZone has been hosting tournaments on the MSN Gaming Zone (The Zone) since 1997 with the intent of creating an online backgammon experience that was fun, fair, and not place unreasonable burdens on either the players or the people responsible for running the tournaments.

In order to play, players must join The Zone to participate in GammonZone tournaments. Once a player has registered with The Zone, all they have to do to enter a regular GammonZone tournament is to check the GammonZone schedule for times, then come in to GammonZone Backgammon Tournament Room 16 at least 3-5 minutes before the posted start time and sit at a table between 41-48. All host instructions are made in the lobby. The format is single-elimination, 3 point matches, 5 point final. Tournaments are held daily at various times.

Tournaments Offered

Besides the regular 3 Point Tournaments, GammonZone also offers the following:
7 point Tournaments: These are rated tournaments open to all players with a standard signup procedure. They are offered at various days and times. Format is single-elimination, 7 point matches, 9 point final.
GammonZone League: Open to all players, this tournament consists of a 2-month season with self-scheduled matches.
Medallion: A month-long single-elimination tournament with matches scheduled via email directly with assigned opponents. It is open to everyone with advance registration.
Medallion 2nd Chance: This event is open first to those players losing prior to round 4 of the Medallion, and then any other players wishing to join. Registration is required.
Gold Medallion: This is divided between Open & Limited Divisions. Any backgammon player may enter the Open Division. Players with a GammonZone rating under 1600, and who have never had a rating higher than 1700 may enter the Limited Division.
The Gammon Cup: A monthly championship held at various times. To qualify players must be in the top 50 point scorers or earn 75 points in the previous month. The tournament format is DOUBLE elimination, with 7 point matches and a 9 point final match.
Tournament of Champions (TOC): Monthly tournaments open only to the winners of regular GammonZone tournaments within the preceding month and players with 100 lifetime wins in GammonZone events.
Main Master Cup: Single elimination best 3-of-5 match format, from 11 points to 13 points in the semifinals and 15 points in the finals.
Life Masters: Entry is open to GammonZone Life Masters, GammonZone Honorary Members, and any player with at least 5 GammonZone gold points.
Director's Invitational: The field is comprised of up to 32 of the best backgammon players in GammonZone and elsewhere, as measured by their skill, participation, sportsmanship, and dedication to the game.

Note: The MSN Gaming Zone is closing all of the Classic Card and Board games on June 19th, 2006. GammonZone has announced it will soldier on into the future and is currently in the process of choosing a new server that will allow them to host tournaments, maintain the GammonZone community and continue their web-based events. Until then, their tournament schedule is still business as usual.