Claiming a national title is special, but sharing the win with family is something else altogether.
That was the experience of Bond University Bachelor of Psychological Sciences student Sam Collivas, who won the 2026 Australian Backgammon Doubles Championship with his father, Steve, at Twin Towns in Tweed Heads earlier this month.
Competing against some of the country’s strongest players, the pair kept their cool when it mattered most and delivered a memorable title win.
“Winning the 2026 Australian Backgammon Doubles Championship alongside my dad is something I’ll never forget,” Collivas said.
While luck can play a role, backgammon demands a sophisticated understanding of probability, strategy and risk management, with players required to make critical decisions under pressure.
“Competing at this level was a challenge, and coming out on top together is something we can both be incredibly proud of,” Collivas said.
“It’s even more special knowing I got to share it with the person who introduced me to the game.”
Earlier this year Collivas became the first person in Australian history to win three titles at the same backgammon tournament when he won the Open, Masters and Speedgammon competitions at the Queensland Championships.
His victory at the Australian Backgammon Championships means he is now the third highest-ranked professional backgammon player in Australia and New Zealand.
“It’s a significant step for me because next year there are international tournaments, including some in Dubai where the top 10 players from participating countries are invited, so it’s important for me to keep my ranking high.”