Backgammon Turf War Erupts in Brooklyn
Recently, a backgammon dispute has ignited in a trendy neighborhood of New York City, following a significant split among players.
The conflict, which began in July, features a rebellious faction in Brooklyn’s Greenpoint taking on established clubs that have long organized games around this ancient pastime.
The Greenpoint Backgammon Club has started hosting its own weekly events, promoting a no-frills atmosphere with phrases like “No snobs, no fees, no bullshit.” This came after its members separated from the more upscale NYC Backgammon Club, where a $10 pay-per-play policy was enforced.
“We just open up the board and anyone who wants to play can play,” a founding member from Greenpoint shared, wishing to remain anonymous due to the contentious nature of the split. “It’s insane to me to ask for money to do something like that. Can you imagine?”
Yet, Remington Davenport, who turned the NYC Backgammon Club into a prominent fixture—enough to leave her sales job—played down the tensions. Following media inquiries, she attempted to mend bridges with the Greenpoint group.
The discord originally surfaced in the summer when a planned meetup at Scrapland, a popular bar, was abruptly canceled due to low attendance. This venue had previously hosted NYC Backgammon Club events, where a $10 fee allowed unlimited play; however, players were expected to bring their own boards.
Some players arrived ready to play and decided to continue without paying the fee. They then opted for free game nights outside the formal setup, given that they were all local residents.
One player mentioned that Davenport later discovered this unofficial gathering that had grown to about 20 participants and attempted to shut it down.
“She wanted to control it. She wanted to approve messages before they were sent,” said that player.
Davenport reportedly communicated that spin-off groups could not form in her “territory” without paying her, trying to incorporate the Greenpoint Backgammon Club into her “ambassador” program. This program allows for smaller game nights at the same $10 fee, which doesn’t include hosting payments, according to some involved.
Davenport recently claimed that there has been a resolution between the groups—though the situation had previously escalated to discussions on social media regarding her “fake business model.” She stated she had reached out to the Greenpoint team through Instagram, expressing her support and willingness to send people their way.
Davenport had indicated that her club focuses on building community and fostering connections in person. “They’re looking for new experiences and opportunities to meet friends, which is a huge success,” she added, noting that many couples have even formed romantic relationships at her events.
After moving to NYC in April 2023, Davenport noticed that the public game scene mainly attracted “very old white men.” To address this, she helped launch clubs like Girls Who Gammon and Gays Who Gammon, aiming to create welcoming environments for underrepresented groups in the backgammon community.
