Every two years since 1993, Yamin A. Yamin of the USA, together with a group of other dedicated people from the backgammon community, conduct a poll called the 32 Giants of Backgammon.

The voters are international tournament players, and tournament directors; they are asked who they believe are the strongest backgammon players in the world.

The main requirement is that each voter plays at the Championship (or Masters) level in live events. A voter lists who he considers to be the top 32 players in match play as well as in side action money game play - he is allowed to put his own name as high as #2 on his own ballot.

The results are audited by Jake Jacobs, and up until 2005 by Howard Ring, who passed away in November of 2005. Howard, himself a Backgammon Giant for many years, was a true titan – a great family man, active in many community projects in his hometown of Chicago as well as a benefactor of several international aid and charity groups.

John Stryker serves as Statistician and Carol Joy Cole edits and prepares the list for publication in her print newsletter, Flint Area BackgammoNews, while the entire proceedings are overseen by Chairman Yamin Yamin.

The current #1 Giant of Backgammon is...

Matvey "Falafel" Natanzon of Israel

Photo Copyright by Kathy Liberopoulos

Below are the top 32 Giants of Backgammon since 1993.