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 in the iconic 70’s Los Angeles backgammon scene -- reigning supreme at Pips and Cavendish West. 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 California 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. In 2026 she was honored with Lifetime Achievement by the Women's World in Backgammon.
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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 almost 50 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.
Benjamin Friesen Tournament Director
The tallest guy in backgammon and one of the most well-liked is 32 year old Michigan native Benjamin Freisen, who stands an impressive 6’7” and has been playing backgammon since he was taught by his father at the age of five. When he discovered Carol Joy Cole’s backgammon club in Flint, Michigan he started really working on his game. He is now one of Flint’s highest rated players. Ben was first elected to the USBGF Board of Directors in 2019, specifically to help stimulate the growth of the game. In 2026 he was elected USBGF President and Executive Director. He currently serves as tournament director for Michigan State, Denver, Cherry Blossom and the upcoming inaugural US Nationals in San Diego. Not many people know Ben is also a competitive volleyball player. This will be his first time directing at the CALIFORNIA STATE CHAMPIONSHIP.
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.
Alex Eshaghian Streaming Director
Alex Eshaghian is a Master backgammon player who started playing as a child. He has a passion for playing and promoting the game. Alex has published the first and thus-far only book on the topic of backgames, Backgammon Backgame Strategies, and is a regular contributor to online strategy forums. He won Gammon Associates' Player of the Year in 2023 and 2024 and has created a backgammon YouTube channel with hundreds of educational and entertaining videos and thousands of subscribers. A member of the USBGF Board of Directors, Alex also has considerable experience directing tournaments and providing commentary. His live streams typically receive two to three times the number of views compared to others.
John Kinkead Production Assistant
John Kinkead is an enthusiastic backgammon newcomer who works constantly on his game. He participates in multliple Los Angeles backgammon meetups. His formal education is in art and he spent 15 years as an artist (paint), art dealer and gallery owner. As a result of Covid, he yielded to his other passion at the time: poker. Currently he runs both live and online poker games. John has lived in Iowa, Scotland, Chicago, Detroit and New York before settling in Venice, California in 2003.