Modern Medium For An Ancient Game
Published: Tuesday, October 11, 2005 Online-Casinos.com
MODERN MEDIUM FOR AN ANCIENT GAME
TV Backgammon to air on Pokerzone
The world’s first televised Backgammon event is to air on pokerzone SKY
Channel 226 starting Wednesday 7th December at 9pm and will feature championships
that took place at the Fairmont, Monte Carlo in July 2005 with over 500 competitors,
including some of the most accomplished players in the world.
Las Vegas based legends Mike Svobodny and Paul Magriel and their beautiful Russian
protégé Victoria Smirnoff made television history in the 30th
Backgammon World Championships, competing for $100 000 in prizes.
Viewers will enjoy a behind the scenes look at the high stakes players as they
prepare for the big event. Backgammon, a game that demands considerable skill
and experience, is known for its outrageously eccentric players.
One famous tale from the production tells of an all-night backgammon session
in which Leo Spitz wagered $100,000 with Svododny that he wouldn’t have
breast implants for one year. Spitz had the implants. Svododny lost the bet.
Pokerzone will prelude the program on Wednesday 16th November with a three part
series called Ernie’s Game, an intriguing documentary revealing the high
stakes life of a gritty UK backgammon player.
Director of Programming, Sam Orams says, “Backgammon and Poker complement
each other perfectly and offer a similarly engrossing experience to the viewer.
We’re delighted to add to our list of ‘world-firsts’ with World
Championship Backgammon. After the success of Poker Night Live, our nightly
flagship online poker show, we are confident that Backgammon will make an equally
big splash.
