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Backgammon World Championship related drama

Posted By: Stick
Date: Wednesday, 5 August 2026, at 9:17 p.m.

So this has been unfolding on various Facebook groups and private profiles over the last couple of days. I wasn't going to post about it because I didn't want to parse the information from here, there, and everywhere. It sounded like a hassle and a headache especially since I wasn't there so have no first hand knowledge of the situation, of what is true and what's not. However, after people being banned from the WC, posts being taken down, people being blocked, etc...and Kalin releasing a full video explaining from his point of view what happened I thought it was worth putting out in the world.

I have no cemented opinion yet as as I said, I wasn't there and the information is everywhere and hard to condense what actually happened into one clean cut story. I also haven't followed it as closely as I'm sure some have. I am just watching the video myself now. Good luck everyone and may the dice gods be ever in your favor.

Kalin's YouTube video

Edit: I have since watched the video and it does a good enough job of explaining some things but leaves out parts of the story. Whether or not those parts are pertinent to the story aren't for me to decide. (yet) I will try to quickly sum up what I understand led up to the incident so it's easier to follow along with the video.

Kalin had played Tanya Joubert pool for money. All parties agree that she was some level of drunk during this. She lost a good bit of money and didn't pay at the time. Kalin saw her at the tournament and decided to approach her about the money he was owed. During this confrontation she slapped him. That's as basic as you get. There are of course a smattering of details to be added that all make or break the story. (witnesses, pushes, banning, agreements, police, etc...)You can get those in the video or on Facebook posts or ask here and I'll do my best to answer.

Stick