Domino enthusiasts ready for Supreme Masters tournament

by

February 17, 2023

Photo

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 while being watched by Trizan Chung Ying (left), category manager of Select Brands; Dwayne Tulloch, senior vice-president of retail and customer operations at SVL (third left); Gary Peart, chairman of SVL (fourth left); and Heather Goldson, CMO at SVL Group.

Seven communities across the island will be abuzz with activity starting March 12 as 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-takes-all format is set to pose off with the first series qualifier at Pier 1 in Montego Bay on March 12. It continues on March 19 at Maggie's Sports Bar in Spanish Town before heading 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 takes 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 in 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," Simpson said.

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 $1 million.

Each qualifier winner 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 over 250 players, so we expect to get even more interest and will have to increase 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."

Recycle Partners of Jamaica is another entity that will be at each location promoting awareness.