Eyes down and focused: participants in the P.A. Branch Cribbage Playoffs are competing for a chance to advance to Zones in Smeaton. (Ian Gustafson/paNOW Staff)

By Ian Gustafson

Card Showdown

Legion hosts Branch Cribbage Playoffs

Jan 11, 2020 | 2:58 PM

It was always friendly, but at times intense at the The Royal Canadian Legion No. 2 in Prince Albert for the Branch Cribbage Playoffs today.

The round robin tournament was a member-only event and different categories included teams, singles and doubles. Players will then move on to Zones in Smeaton Sask. on Jan. 25. From there they will advance to Districts in Quill Lake, Sask. on Feb. 15.

If successful they will head to Nutana Branch in Saskatoon to compete in Provincial Playoffs from March 13 to 15. And if they get that far they would then move on to the Dominion Championships in Conception Bay, NL April 24 to 27.

Second vice president and event organizer Colin Riese said people have fun, but it can get competitive.

“We try to have a little fun along the way but it’s pretty serious,” Riese said.

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People had to pre-register for the event and the Legion was hoping to get at least a dozen people to take part.

Riese added Prince Albert has hosted the Provincials before and said it was a very busy weekend and very successful.

He added people always seem to have a great time during these tournaments.

“It’s great camaraderie,” he said. “Cribbage is considered a sport within the Royal Canadian Legion because it gets people out and about. It gets people interacting socially and it’s just a great overall way to come out and have some fun and enjoy a bit of competitiveness.”

The members-only event brought in eight participants to compete in the Branch Cribbage Playoffs on Saturday. (Ian Gustafson/paNOW Staff)

Royal Canadian Legion No. 2 President Rick Hodgson told paNOW cribbage is a big game for the legion across Canada.

Hodgson was one of many competitors at the event on Saturday and he said he would try his best but it’s really the luck of the cards.

“There is a lot of skill in crib like you’ve got to play the right cards at the right time and kind of help yourself by playing the cards in order,” Hodgson said. “It is competitive but it’s a fun competitive, no one get’s really too serious but you have to follow the rules too.”

He added it’s a nice way to meet people as well because if you make it farther into tournaments you see a lot of the same people every year.

“It’s a good game, it’s a good pastime, something to do during the day during the winter time,” Hodgson said.

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Ian.gustafson@jpbg.ca

On Twitter: @iangustafson12