This 2019 Year's June Event is
an ABT PRIME Tournament
2 VIP SEATS AT DANCING WITH THE STARS!
2 VIP SEATS AT DANCING WITH THE STARS!
2 VIP SEATS AT DANCING WITH THE STARS!
STAFF
Candace Mayeron Tournament Producer
Candace began playing backgammon almost 40 years ago and quickly became a highly visible player and participant of the iconic 70’s Los Angeles backgammon scene -- reigning supreme at Pips and Cavendish West. With Tom Gilbert and Gaby Horowitz as her main mentors, she played all over the U.S., plus Puerto Rico, Bahamas, London and Monte Carlo. She played doubles with Billy Eisenberg, Barclay Cooke and Oswald Jacoby, and more recently John O’Hagan, Kit Woolsey, Stacy Turner & Herb Roman. She was very close friends with Paul Magriel in the late 70’s and was selected to be the organizer and hostess for the 2018 Paul Magriel Memorial Tribute. She won Pebble Beach (Intermediate Last Chance) in 1979, was Finalist in the Lucille Ball Tournament in 1979 (Open); more recently won Advanced Consolation (Texas 2018). In 2017 Patrick Gibson handed over the producing reins for two annual international ABT events: the LOS ANGELES OPEN (June) and the CALIFORNIA STATE CHAMPIONSHIP (December). “It is my goal to make each guest's experience memorable.” She assists the USBGF with its photo archives, serves on the Tournament Directors Advisory Committee and attends or staffs over ten US tournaments annually in addition to her own two Los Angeles events. In 2021 the United States Backgammon Federation awarded Candace with its prestigious Lifetime Achievement Award for her efforts in tournament organizing and producing, In 2023 she was named (non-playing) Captain of the U.S. Team attending the World Team Championships in Skopje, North Macedonia.
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Patrick Gibson Executive Tournament Director
Patrick Gibson is quite simply one of the most experienced and respected tournament directors in the United States. He has been the moving force behind Southern California backgammon for 45 years! He was a member of the USBGF Board of Directors and Executive Committee for its first seven years. He has overseen the creation of the USBGF ratings and statistics database, which includes data on ABT tournaments since 2009. As a player, Patrick won the Nevada State Championship in 2010, the 2007 Michigan Summer Championships, the San Diego Grand Prix in 1994 and most recently was the 2019 U.S. Open Finalist! Over his long career in backgammon he’s garnered two trophies on the annual American Backgammon Tour – 2nd in 1994 and 3rd in 2007. He created Gammon Associates in 1978 and has directed over 3800 weekly events in Los Angeles and produced or directed almost 100 ABT events! Patrick participated in the development of the US Backgammon Tournament Rules & Procedures and the US Backgammon Clock Rules & Procedures and “Clock Ethics.” All are currently in use throughout the U.S. He was elected to the American Backgammon Hall of Fame in 2016.
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Frank Talbot Tournament Director
With a quiet, calm demeanor Frank Talbot is one of the most respected leaders in the backgammon community. He has been playing competitive backgammon for 40 years during which time he has amassed more than 40 victories in regional, national, and international events on four continents, including the Japan Open in 2002 and the Super Jackpot in Istanbul at the World Cup Challenge in 1996. He has been voted to the Giants of Backgammon five times, and ranked 16th in the world on Kent Goulding’s International Backgammon List in 1989 (before the Giants list). Frank earned the coveted ABT Player of the Year in 2004. He has won six ABT main events, currently stands 13th all-time in career points. He serves on the Board of Directors of the USBGF, is an international streaming commentator, instructor at the Backgammon Learning Center and longtime sponsor of the Michigan Summer Championships. The 2021 California State Championship was his first outing as a tournament director and he enjoyed the experience so much he (thankfully) keeps coming back!
Ceci Pedroza Events Manager
Ceci is a former Los Angeles radio newscaster and a full time travel agent for more than 50 years. She began playing backgammon socially in the 1970s…and became a tournament player shortly thereafter. She competed in Monte Carlo and won a Ladies Division Consolation prize. As a top 16 player of Gammon Associates, she has qualified for each year's Tournament of Champions -- finishing as high as second place. In addition to staffing Candace's tournaments, she works staff at the Vietor Cup in Carlsbad, CA. Ceci is one of four women to ever achieve a “brass cube” award (pictured) for winning ten consecutive matches at GA events. Ceci sits at the far end of the staff table and will be collecting all registration money as well as managing some of the side events.
Nelly Jalilvand Production Assistant
Nelly is currently working as an underwriter for large casualty insurance, where she utilizes her strong analytical skills to assess and manage risk in complex situations. Outside her professional career, Nelly has a deep passion for backgammon, a game she grew up playing with family and friends. This early exposure sparked a lifelong interest and appreciation for the game. In May 2024, she began attending social backgammon meetups, looking to connect with other enthusiasts and further develop her skills. Over time she has become an active member of the community, enjoying both the social and strategic aspects of the game. This LOS ANGELES OPEN will be her second time assisting at a Gammon Associates West event. She looks forward to continuing to contribute to the backgammon community.