A registration fee of $60 is required. 

Register Now

Featured Events

Player's Cup (BMAB) Tournament

 

---

​Starts on Thursday 

REGISTRATION DEADLINE Aug 21st.
​​Four matches, 13pts each match, 52 BMAB experience points
$100 entry, 100% return
​$100 registration fee, includes:  recording, transcription, and BMAB submission fees

Optional Side Pools
Side pool A, $50 entry, 95% return
Side pool B, $100 entry, 95% return
To enter side pool B, side pool A must also be entered.
Learn more about our BMAB event

Riverboat Chouette Cruise

​Start your tournament out right with a Mississippi River cruise. Sip on 2 for 1 margaritas and snack on a complimentary taco bar. Opportunity to chouette or just enjoy the scenery.

Wednesday 
Meet at tournament hotel for rideshare at 4 pm
Boarding at 5 p.m. Cruise 6 p.m.-7:30 p.m.
$45,  you may purchase a ticket through our registration form. 

 All attendees with cars are encouraged to meet at the tournament hotel to share your car with those needing transportation.  

Boarding is on Harriet Island, 205 Dr. Justus Ohage Blvd, St. Paul, MN 55107

New Cash Money Pokergammon

Cash Money Pokergammon - In this backgammon-poker hybrid, players face off in backgammon battles across multiple rounds with escalating stakes. Outwit your rivals and amass the largest stack of poker chips! ​

Starts on Monday (Labor Day)
7 rounds, 30 min per round.  Winners are paid based on their chip total at the end of round 7.  Champion receives our Viking themed mug. 
$50 entry fee + $10 registration.  Players receive 10 poker chips ($5 per chip).  Rebuys available at $5 per chip. (100% return on entry fees)
​Learn more about Pokergammon 

MAIN EVENTS - AMERICAN BACKGAMMON TOUR 

​Main events are eligible for American Backgammon Tour (ABT) master points.  

Odin Open 

Bring your hard-won knowledge and expertise to the table to battle in elite warrior fashion.
​Full Swiss - Triple Elimination - 9 points 
$300 entry + $10 ABT Fee. 90% return
$150 side pool, 95% return
​Clocks Required
Odin trophy

Thor Advanced / Intermediate

​With the sound of thunder, lay down your hammer-like skills over the board to crush your foes. 
Full Swiss - Triple Elimination - 9 points 
$160 entry+ $10 ABT Fee. 85% return
$80 side pool, 95% return
Clocks Required
​Thor trophy 

For Novices

Viking Beginner

Get a taste of battle on the Viking training grounds. Format determined by number of entrants. 
Free entry, discounted registration fee of only $10 (Normally $60)
Viking trophy  

Two-Day Novice Workshop

​USBGF Backgammon for Everyone Novice Workshop
Dive into the fundamentals of backgammon with a two-day program designed for novices. Build a strong foundation and boost your confidence for tournament play. Delivered by Juluis High and Tom Jayne. $120/adults $80/youth under 25

​Learn more and register on the usbgf website

 MASTERS LEVEL

Grand Crystal Beaver XXVI

Previously held in Illinois, the Grand Crystal Beaver has a permanent home in Minnesota. Now twenty-five years running! 
​11 points
$500 entry, 90% Return
$250 side pool,  95% Return
Prestigious Grand Crystal Beaver trophy

2025 Grand Crystal Beaver entrants

past Grand crystal beaver winnners

Past Winners

2024 Gerry Tansey (MO)
2023 Kit Woolsey (CA)*
2022 John O'Hagan (IN)
​2021 Dana Nazarian (CA)
2020 Jeremy Bagai (CA)
2019 Bill Finneran (MD)
​2018 Ray Fogerlund (NV)†
2017 Harvey Gillis (AZ)
2016 N/A​ Not held
2015 Yury Millman (MN)*
2014 David Todd (MO)
2013 Ray Fogerlund (NV)†
2012 Carter Mattig (IL)

2011 Yury Millman (MN)*
​2010 Malcolm Davis (TX)
​2009 Steve Sax (CA)*
​2008 Ray Fogerlund (CA)​†
​2007 Howard Markowitz (NV)
​​2006 Richard Lloyd (TN)
2005 Sean Garber (IN)
2004 Steve Brown (MN)
2003 Bob Zavoral (IL)
2002 Kit Woolsey (CA)*
2001 Paul Weaver (AL)
2000 Steve Sax (CA)*
1999 Kent Goulding (MD)

* Two-time winners  -  † Three-time winner

In 1999-2009 the Grand Crystal Beaver event was held at the Midwest Backgammon Championships.  From 2010-2015 it was held at the Central States Invitational (CSI).  It was not held for one year in 2016.  From 2017 onward the Viking Classic has kept the tradition of this prestigious event alive. 

Longship Jackpot

​Assemble your powerful forces by sea. Raid and plunder in style. 
13 points. ​No first round byes in this high-equity event. 
​ $1,000 entry, 95% return
Longship trophy​​

2024 Longship entrants

past Longship winnners

Past Winners

2024 Kit Woolsey (CA)
​2023 John O'Hagan (IN)
2022 Marty Storer (NH)
​2021 Steve Reichelt (MN)
2020 Longship event not held
2019 Ray Fogerlund (NV)
​2018 Roberto Litzenberger (VA)
2017 Ray Fogerlund (NV)

* Two-time winners  -  † Three-time winner

JACKPOTS

Berserker Limited Jackpot 

All qualify, with the exception of elite level Open players.
9 points
$200 entry, 85% return
$100 side pool, 95% return

MIXED LEVEL EVENTS

Early Ravens

Early birds get more. Arrive on Thursday and spread your wings. 
Early Raven Advanced ​
$20 entry/$20 side pool (all players except Open level) 
Early Raven Open
$60 entry/$60 side pool (all players),
​
85% return on entry, 95% return on side pools

​​Rainbow Bridge Doubles 

The rainbow bridge helps unites you and your partner, while Heimdall summons the heavenly forces to give you an extra fighting chance. 
$200 team entry, 85% return
$100 team side pool, 95% return
​Heimdall trophies

CONTINUOUS ENTRY EVENTS

---

Frigga 

Let Frigga, the wife of Odin and Queen of Asgard, guide you to glory.
7 point matches​
​$60 continual entry, 85% return.
​Frigga trophy.

DMP Raids

Every Viking enjoys a quick raid every now and then.
​1 Point 
​$20 continual entry, 85% return

Shieldmaiden Challenge

Calling all shieldmaidens to compete for glory, honor, and prestige.
7 point matches​
​$60 continual entry, 85% return.
​Shieldmaiden trophy.

Midgard Jackpots

Compete in Midgard for treasure in four-player brackets with varying entry fees.

---

Register Now