Tassillo Rzymann wins from Record Field of 154 at World Series of Backgammon

The latest dramatic WSOB event, the Nordic Open from Denmark, was held at the Hotel Marienlyst on an icy and windswept Easter weekend in Helsingor. It concluded with a tense game which ended with film company boss, Tassilo Rzymann, defeating Danish favourite and backgammon teacher Hans Christian Mathiesen in a 17 point match on the clock.

The match was supported by a vociferous crowd, with the Dane bringing 400 of his supporters along and many people crowding around for a better view of the table. Rzymann picked up a cool €32,000 in cash as well as a €10,000 seat to the end of season WSOB Championship to be held in Cannes this July. He also took home the 'gold cube' Championship trophy worth €7000.

The final followed a $10,000 stake, 5 point match between star poker professional and top backgammon player Gus Hansen and EPT Barcelona Winner, Sander Lylloff, which will be aired as part of the WSOB television coverage. The prestigious Nordic Open is in its 20th year and will be televised worldwide with Eurosport and ESPN for the first time as part of the World Series of Backgammon.

A record breaking 154 players paid €800 to enter the Championship, an increase on the 125 players who competed in the successful UK Masters tournament last November. The high class Nordic Open field included well known poker players Gus Hansen, Mads Andersen, Claus Cato and Sander Lylloff. Gus Hansen has also joined the WSOB commentary team and will be in Cannes to cover the third and final event in the current season.

Ed note: For more information on Backgammon visit the PokerNews Backgammon pages

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