Our History
Browse our organizational milestones
March 1, 2022
New Website
usbgf.org gets an overhaul and a new look
January 30, 2021
Brand Redesign with Logo Update
Brand redesign with logo update
January 1, 2021
Online Tournament Series
An evolution of our Online Tournament Circuit
April 1, 2020
ABT Online! Created
As a response to lockdown due to COVID-19 restrictions
April 1, 2020
John Pirner
President/Executive Director 2020–present
September 24, 2019
Updated Logo
Updated logo design
September 1, 2017
USBGF Tournament Rules Rewriten
Simplified ruleset first used in 2017
January 1, 2017
USBGF Acquires American Backgammon Tour (ABT)
The ABT was created by Bill Davis in 1993
January 1, 2017
Karen Davis
President/Executive Director 2017–2020
October 1, 2016
First USBGF Ruleset Published
February 1, 2015
American Backgammon Hall of Fame
Established by, then President and Executive Director, Bill Riles
March 1, 2014
USBGF Officially Endorses Legal Moves
Putting the onus of legal moves on both players
February 1, 2014
Election of Board of Directors by Membership
Online election of Board of Directors held annually beginning February 2014
January 1, 2014
USBGF Master Points
Awarded for tournament play starting in 2014
October 16, 2013
Bill Riles
President/Executive Director 2013–2017
January 1, 2013
Launch Video Streaming
Key matches at ABT tournaments streamed on YouTube
September 1, 2012
Online Tournament Circuit
September 2012–December 2020
December 10, 2011
Acquired backgames.org
Kind gift from developer Michael Darooge
June 9, 2011
Tournament of the Stars / USBGF National Championships
Inaugurated at the 2011 LA Open
September 1, 2010
PrimeTime Backgammon Magazine Launched
Inaugural issue September–October
September 1, 2010
usbgf.org Launched
August 20, 2010
Name Changed to U.S. Backgammon Federation
Our current name
August 1, 2010
Standards of Ethical Practice Created
Rules and Ethics Committee formed in 2010
June 10, 2010
U.S. Backgammon Foundation Formed
Our 501c3 organization
May 25, 2010
USBGF Logo
Our first logo
May 20, 2010
Founding Sponsors Program
200+ Founding Sponsors contributed over $400,000
May 20, 2010
Perry Gartner
President/Executive Director 2010–2013
January 1, 2010
Boards for Kids
Free backgammon boards for students
December 12, 2009
Rod Covlin
President/Executive Director 2009–2010
February 4, 2009
U.S. Backgammon Association Formed
Our original name