The boards clicked like small doors opening to new possibilities. For two days, from June 19 to June 20, the historic Jamaica Inn in Ocho Rios wasn’t just a hotel; it was a battleground, a classroom, and a sanctuary.

The ninth Jamaica Inn Foundation Backgammon Tournament rolled its dice for something bigger than a title as proceeds went to raise awareness and funding of the White River Fish Sanctuary.

Tournament director and the world’s first “Professor of Backgammon” Phil Simborg has watched this story unfold for decades. He remembered finding Jamaica Inn “by accident” 50 years ago and never leaving. Now he watches the game he loves grow roots.