Gammon Associates "NEXT EVENT"

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CALIFORNIA STATE CHAMPIONSHIP 
DECEMBER 4-5-6, 2009 

Venue: Airtel Plaza Hotel & Convention Center
7277 Valjean Street
Van Nuys, CA 91406

Reservations: 800.224.7835 or 818.997.7676

  

GAMMON ASSOCIATES (64th Invitational)
                                       


WE ARE "CLOCKs & MATCH RECORDINGS FRIENDLY", e.g. we favor clocked matches
and  we try to accommodate those that wish to record their matches.


Gammon Associates is holding the 2009 CALIFORNIA STATE CHAMPIONSHIP at the Airtel Plaza Hotel & Convention Center 
DECEMBER 4-5-6, 2009. This event is on the "2009 American Backgammon Tour".
    (Please make hotel reservations early; Van Nuys Flyaway has service to/from LAX )

In preparation for the Calcutta Auction, FINAL REGISTRATION CLOSES Friday night at 10 pm 
                                          (for OPEN and ADVANCED divisions).

We reserve the right to refuse entry to anyone, whether to play or to observe.

-SUPER-32:  high equity, single elimination, all matches CLOCKED, 13 pts, 3 rounds on Friday. 
-Paul-Dingwell-Amateur: high equity, open to players not of high championship level, 
                           single elimination. (5% of each entry fee goes to charity)
-OPEN**:  Open to all players. A CLOCKS-Preferred" event i.e. The OPEN is CLOCKED, 
          unless both players agree (with director's approval) not to use one. 
-ADVANCED** & LIMITED**: open to players with online ratings less than 
	1725 & 1400  plus approval of an eligibility committee. 
	Register or call for approval. 
-DOUBLES: open to all players, re-entries--time & space permitting. All matches CLOCKED.

		                 1st-Rnd
	     Entry Fee  return    MxLen   Play Begins
SUPER-32        $400     90%     13 pts   Fri. 2 pm or 7 pm (2-4 places)
P.D.Amateur	$200     85%      9 pts   Fri. 2 pm or 7 pm (2-4 places)
OPEN **         $240     85%     11 pts   Sat. 11:30 am  
ADVANCED**	$120     80%      9 pts   Sat. 11:45 pm 
LIMITED **	$ 60     80%      7 pts   Sat. 12:30 pm
DOUBLES Team	$160     80%      7 pts   Fri 7 pm & Sun. 12:00 noon
2-Pt Quickies 	$ 20     80%      2 pts   all weekend
BLITZes 	$ 40     80%      5 pts   all weekend
JACKPOTS     $100/50     80%      7 pts   Sun. 12:30 pm, as interest is shown

( ** events) = "Double elimination with progressive consolation"; means you have three
chances to win the cash prizes (2,3,4 ...7 places paid depending on the number of 
players). The "main" finals will be ONE match only. 

Notes: side events (e.g. Quickies, Blitzes, Doubles)  are for players registered in the SUPER-32, 
P.D.Amateur, OPEN, ADVANCED, or LIMITED -- others must pay a one time tournament fee of $20.  

Please BRING YOUR BACKGAMMON BOARD & possibly a CLOCK !!
 
Byes: all entries, whether pre-paid or last minute registrations, 
will be equally eligible. Gammon Associates reserves the right
to refuse entry to any person. Side Pools:  There will be sidepools 
available ($100-SP32, $50-P.D.AM & Open, $30 Advanced, $60 Doubles): 100% return 
going to the two players in each pool who go the furthest in the event 
(2/3 to 1st &  1/3 to 2nd); Sidpool "payout hierarchy" will be posted for Open & Advanced.
 
DIGITAL CLOCKS: will be used at the Tournament Director's discretion. 
All matches in the SUPER-32 will be clocked. The OPEN is CLOCKED, unless both players 
agree (with director's approval) not to use one. They can also be requested by either player in 
the P.D.Amaterur matches (assuming a clock is available). 
U.S. DIGITAL CLOCK RULES (Oct. 2007) will be used --(click here to view the RULES)  

There will be a "Calcutta Auction" of the OPEN & ADVANCED players to allow you to predict & 
participate in their successes (85% return, 5% goes to charity). Starts 10:00am Saturday.

Friday (DEC. 4th) 
                 "SUPER-32" (limited to 32 players) 
                 "Paul-Dingwell-Amateur" (limited to 32 players)
12:00 noon	registration opens (--Cash only--)
   1:00 pm	2-Pt Quickies; BLITZ's (5-pts, 4 players)
	          -available all three days
   2:00 pm	SUPER-32 & Paul-Dingwell-Amateur
	          'Early start', 3-rnds play Friday

'Late start', 3-rnds play Friday
 6:30/7:00pm	SUPER-32 (allows 1/2 hr for late arrivals)
   7:00 pm	Paul-Dingwell-Amateur (late start)

   7:30 pm	Doubles 1st start (plus new entries on Sunday)

10:00pm 	FINAL REGISTRATION closes for OPEN & ADVANCED
	    (you must be paid up, only entries for the LIMITED will be accepted on Saturday)
  
Saturday  (DEC. 5th)

        "OPEN" & "ADVANCED" (limited to 64 players each)
09:30 am           Adjustments to registrations
10:00 - 11:00 am   -Live Calcutta Auction
11:00 - 11:30 am   -Auction buy-backs from the owners
	 		& Public drawing.
11:30 -  5:00 pm   -1st - nth rounds of play with
		     automatic 2nd Chance & Consolation
		     as matches are completed in the MAIN draw.
 5:00  -  7:00 pm  -DINNER break, you're on your own.
 7:00  - 12:30 am  -Play continues (no match started past midnight)
		   -2-pt Quickies between matches

       "LIMITED"
	(Eligibility determined by committee)

 11:00 - 11:45 am  -Final registration  (--Cash only--)
 12:15 pm 	   -Drawing 
 12:30 -  5:00 pm  -1st - nth rounds of play with 
                    automatic 2nd Chance & Consolation
		    as matches are completed in the MAIN draw.
  5:00  - 7:00 pm  -DINNER break, you're on your own.
  7:00  -12:30 am  -Play continues (no match started past midnight)
                    Typically, the LTD event completes on Saturday night.

---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

	SUNDAY times are approximate; all players must verify their start times 
	with a Tournament director before leaving Saturday night.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Sunday   (DEC. 6th)

   10:00  am      Play continues in OPEN, ADVANCED & LIMITED divisions

       DOUBLES  (open to all players) (80% return)
   12:00 - 1:00 pm  Registration ($160/team), drawing for new-teams,
		      1st rounds and continuation from Friday's start.
   12:30   pm    2-pt QUICKIES (80% return) will be held as players are available 
        	 Jackpots $100 & $50 (80% return) as interest is shown
    1:00   pm    BLITZ playoffs (conflicts may default w/ equity paid)
   ~1:00   pm    Semi-Finals for SUPER-32 event (if not done Friday), 
                 FINALS to follow at 3:00pm
   ~2:00   pm    Finals for OPEN, ADVANCED, LIMITED & P.D.Amateur should begin
   ~4:00   pm    Finals for CONSOLATION's and 2-Pt QUICKIES should begin 
   ~6:30   pm    Finals for DOUBLES should begin



-Notes: - Non-Smoking Tournament w/ extra 5 min. smoke-break per match. 
The SUPER-32 & P.D.AMATEUR fill quickly--  so  please send deposits early.
--We'll call, if max-entry-issues.  -The OPEN, ADV, & LTD cash winners will 
garner master points for the 2009 American Backgammon Tour.

-DEPOSIT amounts ($40 for Super-32 & P.D.-AM, $30, 20 or 10 for Main
events). Entries must be postmarked before NOV. 18, 2009.  The 
remainder is due at final registration, FRIDAY NIGHT, in Cash only (fully refundable
up to the time of the draw). Send to: 
__________________________________________________________________________________________________
     
                        GAMMON ASSOCIATES    
  			7641 Orion Avenue
			Van Nuys, CA 91406
   
                        Director:  
                        Patrick Gibson 
              		Cell: 818.645.6284  Home: 818.901.0464

                        E-mail:  pgibsonmfic@gmail.com
			WebSite: GammonAssociates.com


Tournament Staff:
   Carla Gibson
   Ceci Pedroza
   Rynell Avery
Calcutta Auctioneer:
   "Coolrey" Fogerlund
Eligibility Consultant:
   Howard Markowitz


____________________________________________________________________________________________________
We'll be using the "2009 Modified U.S. Backgammon Tournament Rules & Procedures". 
(click here for 2009 Modified Rules). There will be handout copies at the event.

CELL PHONES must be turned off while matches are in progress.  An infraction
            may cost a penalty point.

CLOCK-FRIENDLY:  Super-32 & DOUBLES have all matches CLOCKED.  The OPEN is 
                 Clocks-Preferred, the P.D.Amateur is "on request", assuming a clock is available.
		 Any match that is holding up the tournament flow is likely to have a clock inserted.
		 Director's decision is final.

VIDEO-FRIENDLY:  we will try to accommodate recording of OPEN & Advanced level
                 matches, when requested to do so. Director's decision is final.

"Hospitality Fee:"  Due to hotel "catering" rules, we must request a $15
		    "hospitality" fee from each player.

RESERVATIONS:  Our Airtel Plaza Hotel venue has several large events on our weekend, so
               they will be FULL UP.  Please MAKE YOUR HOTEL RESERVATIONS EARLY, as they
               will be out of rooms well before the two week deadline for our guaranteed
               rate.   RESERVE NOW  and cancel later, if necessary.
____________________________________________________________________________________________________
HOTEL

This Tourney is held at a hotel: Airtel Plaza Hotel & Conference Center in Van Nuys.
They are giving us a preferred group rate of $105/nite, single
or double occupancy.  Complimentary wireless & high-speed internet
access, local phone calls; plus full American breakfast included.

You must make your reservations at the numbers below no later than NOV. 20, 2009. 
You must use the codeword 
                          "Backgammon December 2009".

Airtel Plaza Hotel & Conference Center
7277 Valjean Avenue (corner of Sherman Way)
Van Nuys, CA 91406

Reservations:  800.224.7835 or direct= 818.997.7676

Website:  www.airtelplaza.com

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Transportation

    From the airport (LAX) use the "VAN NUYS FLYAWAY" bus service at the GREEN OVERHEAD SIGN outside each 
LAX terminal. Round-trip is $12.00 or $7.00 one-way. Once you & your luggage are loaded aboard, the 
trip takes 30-45 minutes depending on traffic.  Make sure that it is "VAN NUYS" (NOT Westwood or Union Station).
No reservations are needed, they are running 24 hrs/day. They will only accept credit or debit cards for payment.
Ask about their Senior discount when paying.

    See their website (below) for the Van Nuys FLYAWAY schedule.  You pay upon exit at Flyaway's Van Nuys 
terminal; then ask for the lobby free-phone to call the Airtel Plaza Hotel's free shuttle service for the 
1/2 mile ride to the hotel.    
    (a Taxi from LAX to the hotel can be over $65.)

the Van Nuys Flyaway site (www.lawa.org/welcome_LAX.aspx?id=292)

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     General Driving Directions

DRIVING-- Take the 405 Fwy North (San Diego Freeway) past the junction of the  101 Fwy, exiting at
Sherman Way-West.  Proceed West (right turn) onto Shermany Way. Go approximately one 
mile to Valjean Avenue. Turn right onto Valjean, the hotel is immediately on the left.
__________________________________________________________________________________________
Previous "OPEN"  Winners
 
 	1st	Jay Frydman    (1981)
 	2nd	Dimitrios Kontopides(1982)
 	3rd	Faramarz Borna 
 	5th	Faramarz Borna (1983)
 	6th	Bijan Ashkan 
 	8th	Grigore Harutunian (1984)
 	9th	Mike Thunstrom (1985)
  
	10th	Bahman Fathi 
	11th	Bob Glass      (1986)
 	12th	Norm Wiggins 
 	13th	Joe Russell    (1987)
 	14th	Ron Bruns 
 	15th	Elli Nache 
 	17th	Peter Zacks    (1988)
	19th	Farzan Garmroodi (1989)
 	 
	20th	Bob Glass   
 	21st	Neil Kazaross  (1990)
 	22nd	Steve Sax  
 	23rd	Ray Baker 
 	24th	Ebby Mossanen  (1991)
 	25th	Paul Gedigian 
 	26th	Gene Chait 
 	27th	Al Demirjian   (1992)
 	28th	Scott McKenzie 
 	29th	Woody Woodson  (1993)
 	 
	30th	Joe Harris  
 	31st	Dave Williams  (1994)
 	32nd	Rudy Citrom 
 	33rd	Odis Chenault  (1995)
 	34th	Dave Williams 
 	35th	Joe Russell 
 	36th	Ernest Ho      (1996)
 	37th	Odis Chenault 
 	38th	Doug Mayfield  (1997)
 	39th	Norm Wiggins 
 	 
	40th	Steve Sax   
 	41st	Doug Mayfield  (1998)
 	42nd	Tom Zarrinnam 
 	43rd	Jeff Burdsall  (1999)
 	44th	Odis Chenault 
 	45th	Mike Ungerleider (2000)
 	46th	Mike Sharp 
	47th	Bob Wachtel    (2001)
	48th	Sho Sengoku 
	49th	Ray Fogerlund  (2002)

	50th	Norm Wiggins 
	51st	Mike Ungerleider (2003)
	52nd	Art Grater
	53rd	Wayne Jeffcoat   (2004)
	54th	Jona Alexander   (2004)(California State Championship)
	55th	Jason Lee        (2005)(Los Angeles OPEN) 
	56th	Stepan Nuniyants (2005)(California State Championship)
	57th	Bob Glass        (2006)(Los Angeles OPEN) 
	58th	Ken Fischer	 (2006)(California State Championship)
	59th	Bart Brooks	 (2007)(Los Angeles OPEN)

	60th	Adrian Costa	 (2007)(California State Championship)
	61st	Ray Fogerlund	 (2008)(Los Angeles OPEN)
	62nd	Hugh Sconyers	 (2008)(California State Championship)
	63rd	Ray Fogerlund	 (2009)(Los Angeles OPEN)
	64th	(could be you?)	 (2009)(California State Championship)
	
____________________________________________

Entry Form (2009 CALIFORNIA STATE)

Name: _________________________

Address: ______________________

City: _________________________

State/Zip: ____________________

Phone: (    ) __________________

Email: _________________________________

                 Deposit  	 In Full 

Super-32	 __  $40	__  $400

  Start: 2pm __or 6:30pm __
      	    	   --Side pool	__  $100

Paul Dingwell Amateur
	 	 __  $40	__  $200

  Start: 2pm __or 7pm __
      	    	   --Side pool	__  $ 50

OPEN	 	 __  $30	__  $240
      	    	   --Side pool	__  $ 50

ADVANCED 	 __  $20	__  $120
      	    	   --Side pool	__  $ 30

LIMITED	 	 __  $10	__  $ 60

DOUBLES	 	 __  $20	__  $160
      	    	   --Side pool	__  $ 60

"Hospitality fee" (required)	    $ 15

	Total submitted:       $ _______


In order to prepare for the drawings & AUCTION,
Registration must complete, for OPEN & ADVANCED, 
(fully paid) by Friday nite (DEC. 4th) 10:00 pm
________________________________________________

Make payable to &
Mail to:  

	  Gammon Associates
	  7641 Orion Avenue
	  Van Nuys, CA 91406

	  
(Must be postmarked by NOV. 18th, 2009)