Events
General Event Information
USBGF membership is required for all events. Join or renew your membership at USBGF.org.
Tournament registration fees apply to all players:
$20 - Novices
$60 - Local players
$60 - Players staying at the tournament hotel (Hilton University Place)
$100 - All others
IMPORTANT: To play in the ABT main event, you must register and pay by Friday, January 24th! If you will not be on site until Saturday, you must register and pay in advance.
Clocks are required for all events except Novice and DMP events. Clock settings:
2m/12s: Open-level events, or any side event match where both players are of open level.
2m/15s: Advanced-level events, or any side event match where either player is below open level.
In all cases, both players use the same delay. Any exceptions to the above settings will be detailed in the event descriptions below.
Most events will pay out 1 winner per 8 players. Single elimination events with byes may pay as many as 1 per 5 players. The ABT Main Event may also pay as many as 1 per 5 in the Open and Advanced divisions, and as many as 1 per 4 in the Novice division.
All side pools will pay 1 winner per 8 players, with a 95% return, except where indicated in the specific event details below. Side pool entries carry over on re-entry, for all events that allow re-entry.
The ABT main event has a tiered entry fee. For more information, see the Main Event section below.
ABT Main Event
The Charlotte Invitational uses a tiered entry fee in the main event. This entry fee structure is also used at the Wisconsin Backgammon Championships. The purpose of a tiered entry fee structure is to provide affordable options to players who are concerned about the cost of playing in tournaments, as well as allow players to move up from the Advanced to Open division without substantial additional fees. Here's how it works:
All players pay the "main entry fee" for their division, indicated below. The percent returned will go into the main prize pool.
Players have the option to pay an additional fee to enter the equity pool. The percent returned will go into a separate equity prize pool. This raises the total fees paid to the amount of a typical ABT entry fee.Â
Each division will pay up to 20% of the field. All of these winners will cash and receive shares of the main prize pool. Cashing players who also entered the equity pool will receive shares of the equity prize pool. If any cashing players did not enter the equity pool, the payouts of the other winners will be increased proportionally. Unlike a side pool, players must cash in the main prize pool to cash in the equity pool.
The optional side pool will pay out 1 winner per 8 entrants, without regard to who cashes in the main prize. You must enter the equity pool to be eligible to enter the side pool.
Open Division
Fees:Â
$200 main entry (85% return)
$200 equity pool (95% return)
$200 side pool (95% return)
Format: Three-loss Swiss
Match length: 9pts
Clocks: 2m/12s
Start time: 10am Saturday
Eligibility: Open to all players.
Advanced Division
Fees:Â
$100 main entry (80% return)
$100 equity pool (90% return)
$100 side pool (95% return)
Format: Three-loss Swiss
Match length: 9pts
Clocks: 2m/15s
Start time: 10am Saturday
Eligibility: Players generally must have a PR above 8 to play in the Advanced division. Other factors may be taken into consideration.
Novice Division
Fees:Â
Free main entry
$20 equity pool (100% return)
$20 side pool (100% return)
Format: Three-loss Swiss
Match length: 5pts
Clocks: Optional
Start time: 11am Saturday
Eligibility: Â The Novice Division is for players with little or no tournament experience who are not deemed to be at Advanced skill level.
You must meet the eligibility criteria for your chosen division. The Eligibility Committee has the final say on what division(s) a player is eligible to play in. If you are unsure of what division to register for, email staff@charlottebackgammon.com.
Player's Cup (BMAB)
Fees:Â
$100 registration
$100 entry (100% return)
$100 Win-Loss Side Pool (95% return)
Start time: 10:30am Thursday
Format: Five-round Modified Swiss (random pairings in rounds 1-3, no elimination)
Match length: 9 pts
Added Prize: A Player’s Cup Iron Star (or a fraction thereof) will be awarded to the winner(s). See playerscupbackgammon.com for details.
Jackpots
Queen City Cup
Masters Jackpot
Fees: $400 entry (90% return), $200 side pool (95% return)
Format: Single elimination, limited re-entries
Match length: 13pts
Start time: 11am Friday
Conflicts: Doubles players who re-enter the Queen City Cup may be required to play through the dinner break to complete round 3 before Doubles begins.
Cardinal Classic
Open Jackpot
Fees: $200 entry (85% return), $100 side pool (95% return)
Format: Single elimination, limited re-entries
Match length: 11pts
Start time: 11am Friday
Eligibility: Not deemed to be of high Open level (PR >6.5). No Masters or Grandmasters.
Conflicts: Doubles players who re-enter the Cardinal Classic may be required to play through the dinner break to complete round 3 before Doubles begins.
Dogwood Royale
Advanced Jackpot
Fees: $100 entry (80% return), $50 side pool (95% return)
Format: Single elimination, limited re-entries
Match Length: 9pts
Start time: 11am Friday
Eligibility: Advanced and below (PR > 10)
Hornets Nest Doubles
Fees: $300/team (80% return), $100 side pool/team (95% return)
Format: Single elimination, no re-entry
Match length: 7pts
Start time: 7:30pm Friday
Clocks: 3m/15s
The CoolWood Warm-up
Sponsored by CoolWood Urban Forestry
Fees: $60 entry (85% return), $30 side pool (95% return)
Start time: 7:30pm Thursday
Format: G2 (Guaranteed two matches). Players who lose in the first round will play off in a consolation bracket. After the first round, it is single elimination.
Match length: 7pts
The winner will take home a trophy made from a cool piece of wood! Thank you CoolWood Urban Forestry for sponsoring this event.
Hotel Room Freeroll
Win a free hotel room at next year's Charlotte Invitational!
Featured side event ONLY for players staying at the Hilton University Place hotel!
Fees: $0 entry
Start time: 4pm Friday
Eligibility: Must be hotel guest
Format: Single elimination
Match length: 1pt
Clocks: Optional
Conflicts: This event does NOT conflict with any other event. You may enter and play in this event even if you are playing a jackpot match when the draw is posted. Since the rounds are only 1pt, they may be played in between rounds of other events, as players are available.
Prizes:Â
1st place - 2 hotel nights at the 2026 Charlotte Invitational
2nd place - 1 hotel night at the 2026 Charlotte Invitational
Novice After-Tourney
Fees: Free entry, $20 side pool (100% return)
Format: Single elimination, progressive consolation
Match length: 5pts
Clocks: Optional
Start time: 10:30am Sunday
Conflicts: Players cannot enter the Novice After-Tourney if they are still alive in the ABT main event (past round 7).
Speedgammon
Fees: $50 entry (85% return), $50 sidepool (95% return)
Format: Single elimination, continuous entry, fast clock settings.
Match length: 5pts
Start time: On-demand
Clocks: 2m total reserve/8s delay
DMP
Fees: $20 (80% return)
Format: Single elimination, continuous entry
Match length: 1pt
Start time: On-demand
Clocks: Optional
8-Player Jackpots
8-Player Jackpots must finish the same day that they start. To enter, players must not be alive in a jackpot, doubles, or the main event. These on-demand events are single elimination, winner take all.
$200 Jackpot
Match lengths: 7pts (9pt final)
Prize: $1440
$100 Jackpot
Match lengths: 7pts
Prize: $700
$50 Jackpot
Match lengths: 5pts (7pt final)
Prize: $350
$20 Jackpot
Match lengths: 5pts
Prize: $130
Eligibility: Advanced or below (PR>10)