If you are looking for a way to compete with other players at your level and do this conveniently and inexpensively, online tournaments are a great way to go. Other advantages of online tournaments are that they are recorded, so you get feedback on your play, pinpoint your errors and blunders, and understand where to focus your learning for the future. 

 

Unlike in-person backgammon tournaments, online events are typically free or low-cost, don't require travel, and are easy to fit into a busy schedule, in-person tournaments are also great for skills building, as well as for socializing and progressing your game in a fun and competitive environment. You may well want to be active in both!

 

There are several types of online tournament sponsors that offer high-quality, easy to use sites, and lots of potential for improving your game as well as enjoy the competition.

• The World Backgammon Internet Federation offers a large number of tournaments where you can meet and enjoy playing players around the world. Most notably, it sponsors the Women's World Backgammon Championships held annually and the Women's World Team Backgammon Championships. There are many other events open to women and men. There is a modest annual membership fee. To learn more about it, you may want to watch this video. 

• Country Federation tournaments including the U.S. Backgammon Federation and the U.K. Backgammon Federation. The WBIF lists all of the member nations and links to their websites on its homepage, so your country may have a federation you can join with their own online tournaments. Often it is not necessary to be a resident of that country, you just need to be able to play at a time that is convenient for people that live there. Some of these events are at fixed times where everyone plays on a particular day, but for the others you can arrange a time to play that is convenient for you and your opponent. Many tournaments are free to enter after you have joined the group or organization that hosts them, or they may charge a small fee when there is a prize awarded to the winner. It is important to be aware that if you are paying an entry fee that you trust the tournament organization. We have listed a few below to whet your appetite. It also lists the major online tournaments in its newsletter. Please see below for the latest online events.

• The USBGF holds monthly tournaments for all skill levels Intermediate, Advanced, Masters levels as well as some fun tournaments where you can win a board or a "lesson with a pro”. A Basic membership of $45 annually is required to play. Be sure to keep a lookout for the Monthly Women's Tournament! These Matches are usually played on the Backgammon Heroes website which you need to open an account on to play.

Additional online resources … 

 

The UKBGF is another great website for online competition. They have their own web based backgammon server called Backgammon Hub where all matches are played. The links to both are below. They have an online league as well as regular in person and online tournaments.

Backgammon online servers also typically offer online tournaments. If you just want to play a tournament daily you should checkout the tournament page of Backgammon Studio Heroes where there are many tournaments throughout the day on all time zones. If you wish to play in these events be prepared to spend a few hours to complete the matches that day.

While nothing compares to in-person play, playing online matches are a great way to keep practicing your game,

whether you're a beginner or a grandmaster. If you're new to the game or just considering learning to play, this article is a great place to start. We've compiled the top-performing online servers where players at all levels from all over the globe gather to player. Play a friend or challenge a complete stranger! 

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If you participate in any online (or in-person) games or tournaments, fill out this form and we will add them to our ever-growing database of tournaments and events open to players of all levels. 

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Reach out to us with any questions.