The U.S. Backgammon Federation (USBGF) is pleased to announce the induction of Richard Munitz into the American Backgammon Hall of Fame. John Pirner, President/Executive Director of the USBGF, noted, “Rich is deserving of induction to the Hall of Fame for his playing achievements alone. However, his work to write and to standardize the Rules of Tournament Backgammon worldwide and to develop the OTS has transformed how we play backgammon today.”
- Rich is the author of the Online Tournament System. Launched in 2021, it has automated ABT tournaments and USBGF online events.
- Rich is serving his fourth term on the USBGF Board of Directors.
- He was recognized with the USBGF Lifetime Achievement Award in 2022.
- He is the columnist who writes “What’s the Ruling?” in PrimeTime Backgammon Magazine.
Joseph Russell, Chair of the American Backgammon Hall of Fame Committee, congratulated Rich on his selection. He observed that his many notable awards and accomplishments include:
- Giant of Backgammon (top 32) – 2007, 2009, 2011; (top 64) – 2019
- Winner of the American Backgammon Tour – 2006, 2018
- ABT: 2nd place (2007), 3rd place (2010)
- Total ABT tournaments won: 12
Major Tournament Results
- 2025 Gammon Geaux New Orleans ABT
- 2025 Los Angeles Open ABT
- 2025 Cherry Blossom ABT
- 2018 Las Vegas Open ABT
- 2018 Connecticut State ABT
- 2016 Texas Championships ABT
- 2015 USBGF Tournament of Stars
- 2013 USBGF National Championships West
- 2010 Wisconsin Badger Classic Masters
- 2010 Los Angeles Open ABT
- 2008 Thousand Islands ABT
- 2007 Colorado State ABT
- 2007 World Championships (semi-finalist)
- 2007 Nevada State Super Jackpot
- 2006 Georgia Championships ABT
- 2006 Georgia Peach Cup Masters
- 2006 Thousand Islands ABT
- 2006 Michigan Summer Backgammon Championships ABT
Director of New York City Backgammon Meetup Club
- 2,000 registered members
- Teacher
- Cultivates grass-roots development of casual backgammon play in NYC – 2020 NY Metro: 81 beginners!
Rich Munitz is a world-class backgammon player who has distinguished himself throughout the last two decades. He is one of only four people to have won the American Backgammon Tour more than once. He ranks 4th in all-time ABT points.
With his service to the USBGF, he has given tremendous amounts of time to serving the backgammon community. He is one of the people most responsible for the organization’s success, contributing needed skills, intellect, a willingness to work hard, and a genial disposition.
Join Us to Celebrate in San Antonio
The Hall of Fame plaques for Rich and the previously announced Legacy Hall of Fame inductee Billy Horan will be presented at the USBGF Annual Awards Dinner, scheduled to take place February 7, 2026, at the Gunter Hotel, San Antonio, Texas, in conjunction with the Texas Backgammon Championships.
Rich joins 33 other honorees in the American Backgammon Hall of Fame:
Marty Storer (2025), Wilcox Snellings, Lee Genud, and Lewis Deyong (2024); Matvey “Falafel” Natanzon and Masayuki “Mochy” Mochizuki (2023); Art Benjamin and John O’Hagan (2022); Karen Davis (2021); Ed O’Laughlin (2020); Steve Sax (2019); Alexis Obolensky, Joe Sylvester (2018); Ray Fogerlund, Joseph Russell, Mike Svobodny (2017); Patrick Gibson, Tim Holland, Danny Kleinman, Howard Markowitz (2016); and Nack Ballard, Carol Joy Cole, Barclay Cooke, Bill Davis, Malcolm Davis, Kent Goulding, Oswald Jacoby, Neil Kazaross, Paul Magriel, Bill Robertie, Mike Senkiewicz, Walter Trice, Kit Woolsey (2015).
Cordially,
Kara Schultz
Chair, Board of Directors
U.S. Backgammon Federation
