Key Info, Policies, & Rules

Here is what you can expect from the 2027 San Diego Backgammon Championship

Rules – USBGF Rules for in person play

This event will follow the current US Backgammon Federation Rules for in person play. By attending this event you agree to read and follow these rules.

The following rule options will be in effect:

  • Clocks are required for all matches with the controls of 2 minutes per point reserve time and 12 seconds per move delay time, except for the following events:
    • The USBGF National Championship Division 3 (Intermediate) will use a 15 second per move delay.
    • The doubles event will use 18 minutes of total reserve time and 15 seconds per move delay time.
    • The Tournament of the Stars doubles event will use 21 minutes of total reserve time and 18 seconds per move delay time.
  • The use of two dice is required.

Pre-registration – open now

Pre-registration is open now and allows you to select the events that you wish to play. While this does not reserve a seat, it preserves your place in line once registration is live.

Official registration – December 1st

Full registration will open by December 1st. Pre-registrants will be contacted when they can confirm events, complete eligibility steps, and make payment (or deposit).

Hotel – Please Book today

A limited number of rooms are available at the Westin Bayview. If you are considering attending the event, please book the hotel now. If there is enough early interest then we can add more rooms, but time is of the essence. Click here for more information on the hotel. 

Reservations can be cancelled for no fee if cancelled at least 4 days before check in. Check out day can be changed at check in, however after check in early departures will be charged a 1 night fee.

Eligibility

Division 2 (Advanced) and Division 3 (Intermediate) event participation is subject to eligibility requirements and approval by the USBGF Eligibility Committee. Participants without eligibility data may be required to play online matches and submit the results in order to justify playing in Division 2 or Division 3.

Tournament priority

USBGF National Championship matches take priority over all other play. Participants that delay their match for any reason risk penalties or forfeiture of the match. The event Director must be consulted before players can agree to delay the start of any match, otherwise both players may be penalized in order to preserve the schedule for all participants.

Women’s World of Backgammon – National Champion title

Women competing in the USBGF National Championship Division 1 (Championship) event are also competing for the Women’s World of Backgammon Women’s National Champion title. The exact method for crowning the Champion is not yet determined but will be announced prior to the start of the National Championship event.

USBGF Awards Dinner – Saturday, March 13th

The USBGF Awards Dinner will take place on Saturday, March 13th. This dinner will celebrate the 2026 results for both in person and online play as well as the 2027 Hall of Fame inductions. The $100 Awards Dinner ticket includes dinner and non-alcoholic beverages. A cash bar will be available. A ticket is required for anyone wishing to eat, however awards recipients are welcome to attend to accept their award.

Tournament of the Stars

The Tournament of the Stars is a fundraising event with proceeds benefiting the US Backgammon Foundation. Partner selection will occur on Wednesday morning at breakfast. If you wish to participate as a sponsor or a star, please contact Ben Friesen.

Late-stage scheduling

Certain late-stage Doubles, Jackpot, Women’s playoff, and conditional championship rounds will be scheduled as players become available.

The directors will manage the Sunday schedule for any participants that are in the late rounds of multiple events, specifically the USBGF National Championship rounds >13, Doubles rounds >4, and Jackpot rounds >4.

While every effort will be made to prevent it, the Directors may require that a doubles team play round 5 or 6 without both partners.

The director’s decision on Sunday scheduling is final. If a participant chooses to enter the doubles event while still playing in the National Championship event then they agree to respect the Director’s decision on scheduling rounds 5 and 6.

SidePools

The sidepools in all events will pay the following places:

If # of entries is <10; 1st place prize only
If # of entries is >=10; 1st and 2nd place prizes
If # of entries is >=40; 1st, 2nd, and 3rd place prizes

Byes & SidePools – Redraws

For the jackpot events, if the number of players requires awarding byes for the redraw/playoff, compensation will be awarded to the non-bye players such that all participants have an equal chance at the prize money. The formula for this is x=1/2n, where x is the compensation paid to a non-bye player and n is the total number of players in the redraw. For example, if there is a 5 player redraw then the 2 players that do not receive a bye will be awarded 1/10 of the prize pool, with the remaining prize money split normally for 1st through 4th.

The sidepool competition concludes whenever there is a redraw for the playoff. All prize money will be split at that point between those participants that entered the sidepool. For example, if there are 48 entries in the Masters Jackpot then there will be a bye awarded at the final 3. Any of the 3 players that entered the side pool will split all side pool prizes at that point.