Gateway Open Backgammon Championship
June 17-21, 2026
Holiday Inn Airport West 3400 Rider Trail South, St. Louis, MO
Gateway Gammon Club
Sunday Tournaments - 3 pm at Dierbergs, Des Peres Market
Wednesday Meetups - 6 pm at BBQ Saloon, St. Louis
Welcome to the Gateway Open
Welcome to the Gateway Open Backgammon Championship, where high-stakes competition meets Midwest hospitality. This year’s tournament features a premier lineup for every level of play, headlined by our ABT Main Event for Open, Intermediate and Novice players utilizing a Modified Swiss Format. For those looking to test their skills against the best, we are proud to host a BMAB (Backgammon Masters Awarding Body) session, offering players the chance to earn world-class rankings and professional accreditation.
Beyond the main brackets, players can dive into a variety of high-action Jackpots with entry tiers designed for every ambition: Intermediate ($150), Advanced ($250), Masters ($500), and our signature Gateway Jackpot ($1,000). We want you to stay focused on the board, so your registration fee includes at least one full meal each day. Stay tuned for more details as we finalize our custom menus to ensure you’re well-fueled for the championship grind.
- Streaming commentary provided by Kent Goulding for the entire event!
- Sponsor MK GAMMON.
- $1000 added to the Cancelgammon event!
Visit Stunning St. Louis
You can spend a sunny afternoon exploring Forest Park, home to the renowned Saint Louis Zoo, the Science Center, and the Art Museum—most of which offer free admission. For a unique thrill, head to the City Museum, an architectural playground made of repurposed industrial objects, or catch a Broadway-quality musical under the stars at The Muny, the nation’s oldest and largest outdoor musical theater.
If you’re looking for high-energy entertainment, the summer of 2026 is packed with major events, including the legendary Circus Flora, which kicks off its season in early June. Sports fans can soak up the atmosphere at Busch Stadium for a Cardinals game or visit Energizer Park to see St. Louis CITY SC in action. For those who prefer a more relaxed pace, Grant’s Farm offers free tram rides and animal encounters, while the Missouri Botanical Garden provides a lush, cooling escape with its stunning floral displays and Japanese Garden.
New Hotel, Great Rates
Experience the perfect blend of convenience and comfort at the Holiday Inn St. Louis-Airport West, located in the heart of Earth City. Ideal for both business and leisure travelers, this hotel offers a complimentary round-trip airport shuttle to St. Louis Lambert International (STL) and puts you just minutes away from top attractions like the Hollywood Casino Amphitheatre and the Centene Community Ice Center. During your stay, you can take advantage of premium amenities including a heated indoor pool, a state-of-the-art fitness center, and the on-site restaurant and bar, Elements, which serves delicious American cuisine.
Backgammon Events
Main Event
- Open (Div 1)
- Intermediate (Div 2)
- Novice
Jackpots & Doubles
- Gateway Jackpot
- Master’s Jackpot
- Advanced Jackpot
- Intermediate Jackpot
- Doubles w/ sidepool
Side Events
- Warm up Tournament
- Cancelgammon ($1000 added)
- Quickie – DMP
- Whittenburg Intermediate Challenge ($300 added)
- Tansey Open Challenge ($750 added)
- 4 Player Knockouts
- After-Tourney Tourney
- MK GAMMON board event
+ – 95% return for Gateway Jackpot
* – Side events that allow continuous entry with the side pool carrying over to the next entry
** – The Tansey Open Challenge and Whittenburg Intermediate Challenge are lower stakes, single elimination events where re-entry is allowed. All sidepools carry to the next re-entry. The Tansey Challenge has $500 of added money to the prize pool with the winner advancing to play Gerry Tansey for a $250 bonus. The Whittenburg Challenge has $200 of added money to the prize pool with the winner advancing to play Larry Whittenburg for a $100 bonus.
100% RETURN ON ALL SIDEPOOLS
90% return on all entry fees
St. Louis Charm
As one of the smaller tournaments on the ABT circuit, we pride ourselves on low rakes, good community and a hospitable, well-run tournament. Come see the difference!
A Level for Everyone
Whether you’re an expert challenging for the Championship Division, an Advanced Division competitor, you’ll find a competitive and engaging environment tailored to your skill level.
Meet The Team
Our Tournament Staff are here to ensure you have a wonderful playing experience.
David Todd
Director
(314) 749-9687
James Feher
Director
stlbackgammon@gmail.com
Our Sponsors
Our sponsors attend and play at our tournament.
