Thu | Sep 28, 2023

Domino enthusiasts eager for the start of Supreme Masters Tournament

Published:Friday | February 17, 2023 | 1:19 AMLennox Aldred/Gleaner Writer
David McConnell (second left) co-managing Director of Select Brands leaps to his feet after winning an exhibition game at the launch of the Supreme Domino Masters competition at Kingston Jerk. Also pictured are Trizan Chung Ying (left), category Manager of
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David McConnell (second left) co-managing Director of Select Brands leaps to his feet after winning an exhibition game at the launch of the Supreme Domino Masters competition at Kingston Jerk. Also pictured are Trizan Chung Ying (left), category Manager of Select Brands, Dwayne Tulloch (third left) senior vice-president of retail and customer operations at Supreme Ventures Limited (SVL) Gary Peart (second right), Chairman of SVL and Heather Goldson Deputy CEO at Supreme Ventures Services Limited.

Seven communities across the island will be abuzz with activity starting March 12 when Supreme Ventures Limited (SVL) rolls out the Supreme Masters Domino Tournament, which is slated to run until the grand finale in June.

The ‘cut-throat’ winner-take-all format is set to pose off with the first series qualifier at Pier One in Montego Bay on March 12 and continue on March 19 at Maggie’s Sportsbar in Spanish Town, before heading over to Shanshy Beach Bar in Port Antonio on April 2.

The next stop for the eagerly anticipated tournament will be on April 23 when the Supreme Ventures team will take over Smart Choice Jerk Centre in Negril before jumping over to the Sunshine City on May 7 at Ken’s Wildflower in Portmore.

May 14 will be the turn of Ultimate Jerk Centre in Discovery Bay before another jerk centre stop on May 21 at Murray’s Jerk and Fish Hut in May Pen.

The national championship is slated for June 11 at the National Arena in Kingston.

Gavin Simpson, who made it to two finals of the pilot tournaments where he emerged champion at the Kingston Jerk event, says he is looking forward to crowning himself the Ultimate ‘Cut Throat’ domino champion, come June.

“The tournament starts in Montego Bay, which is my home ground, and Pier One is my original stomping ground. The aim is to go with my natural flow because, once it is domino, I always give myself a chance.”

If the pilot tournaments were anything to go by, thousands of players are expected for the inaugural tournament, with the ultimate champion walking away with a $1-million dollar winner-take-all cash prize.

The winners of each qualifier will walk away with $150,000 and senior vice-president of retail and operations at the Supreme Ventures Group, Dwayne Tulloch, says the response has already been overwhelming.

“We plan to start with 64 tables in Montego Bay, and that equates to more than 250 players. So we expect to get even more interest and will have to increase (tables) as we go along.”

Apart from the domino, Tulloch outlined that SVL will also be carrying out some social responsibilities.

“One of the things that we are keen on is blood. So, through the support of our foundation, the National Blood Transfusion Service is coming along with us on this journey to facilitate a blood drive at each location,” Tulloch said.

Recycling Partners of Jamaica are another entity that will be at each location promoting awareness.