Gaming Embraces Gammon as the 'Oldest Game' Hits the Small Screen

Gaming Embraces Gammon as the 'Oldest Game' Hits the Small Screen

LONDON, November 2/PRNewswire/ -- In a world where it seems everyone has perfected his poker face,
discerning gamers have started looking for a new challenge.

The Game of Kings - or backgammon as it is more commonly known - the
world's oldest game is now seeing an unprecedented revival in popularity,
spurred on in part by the rapid growth of poker.

And with thousands of poker players now looking to make a living gaming
online or from live tournaments, some of the big boys are hedging their bets
by turning their attention to backgammon.

This month, for 8 weeks from November 6th (22.15 in the UK and 23.15
CET), for the first time, a pan European TV audience will experience
match-play backgammon as the WORLD SERIES OF BACKGAMMON is aired on Eurosport
in 37 countries.

Players from more than 30 nationalities competed head to head in the
Riviera Cup whilst teams of players representing 21 countries played in the
Nations' Cup, both filmed at the Groupe Partouche Palm Beach Casino, Cannes
on the French Riviera.

Producer Andy Bell said "there's a very definite pull for this sort of
content from within the gaming community, but it's also wider than that. TV
audiences are familiar with gaming action and we think they're ready for the
excitement backgammon competition brings".

WSOBG spokesperson Eric Guedj "We've worked hard to get the TV concept
right to capture the World Series of Backgammon events. The complexities of
the game require a careful focus but the resulting programme mixes exciting
action with an educational slant, brought to life by expert commentators".

Spokesperson for PartyGammon.com, the event sponsor, takes up the story:
"backgammon appeals to much the same kind of brain as poker does. Players who
excel at risk management succeed in both games. We've been looking for games
to bring to the masses which offer significant growth potential; we think
we've found it with backgammon; TV is the next logical step in its growth
curve."

Hosted by Canadian KARA SCOTT with commentary by leading UK player JOHN
CLARK, sports writer WILL COCKERELL and American player, CARTER MATTIG,

the series follows the fortunes of a number of flamboyant characters from
around the world including the extraordinary professional gambler and leading
player, Dane MORTEN HOLM who clashes in the televised stages with undoubtedly
the world's leading female player, Bulgarian MARIA KRANCHEVA; Ireland's
under-rated SEAN CASEY; MATVEY "FALAFEL" NATANZON, the world class
American/Israeli who developed his game on the streets of New York and the
enigmatic PETER HEITMÜLLER from Germany.

WORLD SERIES OF BACKGAMMON is a competitive tour comprising a number of
tournaments attracting an international field of world class players.

Source: World Series of Backgammon

For more information or to speak to one of the players or contributors please contact ANDY BELL on +44-7961-102207 or World Series of Backgammon ERIC GUEDJ on +33-662467001

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