The Rolling Along backgammon tournament was first organized in 1970 by political activist Abbot Howard “Abbie” Hoffman. This year’s edition of the backgammon tournament, which lasted a whole weekend, took place at the Pine Tree Resort.

Renee H. Rosenbloom, tournament co-director and organizer said the Hotel is the best place for this backgammon event to take place in and the reservation for next year is already made. It seems its beautiful view and comforts are the reason why all backgammon amateurs prefer this place and no other when they play this antique game.

Mrs. Rosenbloom said 27 backgammon players from New York, New Jersey, Pennsylvania, and Canada took part in this event. The competition involves double matches and is part of the American Backgammon Tour (ABT) which awards players with points that are added to a total championship score in each tournament they win.

Backgammon has suffered some changes with the years and many backgammon players suggest online sites which allow to play backgammon for free are useful for new players to learn new moves and backgammon strategies.

“However, there is no sensation like the one you feel when you face another player”, said Richard Munitz, who has been taking part in this tournament for four years in a row and has won the tournament twice in the past three years.

Munitz, who won the American Backgammon Tour in 2006 and is in the 30th place in the world ranking, says he enjoys the complexity and unpredictability of backgammon. “I like it because it’s a strategy game but with the excitement the dice add to it,” Munitz commented. “Strategy is very complicated; you have to take many things into account.”

Antoinette Marie Williams from Maniatan has had enough time to observe how complex backgammon is as she has played it since 1973 and has attended the tournament for 20 years. “This is a great scenery, I can see the river and I meet friends I only see once a year, so it’s a pleasure to come and renew relationships while you defeat new players”, Marie commented.

Williams has won tournaments from Montecarlo to Nevada and is known as the “doubles queen” because she wears a necklace with two dice. She leaves a piece of advice for backgammon players. “I think backgammon players have to get involved. They may be afraid of taking risks, but they need to be able to read other players. That is the way we all have improved our game, getting involved.”