I have been a respected member of the Backgammon community and a professional level player for over 20 years.

Yesterday, at the Rio, I witnessed a well know backgammon cheater( he is barred from all major tournaments) in the main hallway, with his board set up, trolling for victims. He is a stocky middle eastern man, over 50 years old and was going by the name Rocky. He cheats by using slight of hand with the dice ( much like a magician might). At least one method involves placing a die in the crook of your finger and not in the cup, it is then slid across the board in a controlled fashion while the other die comes out of the cup. This ensures hitting direct shots and rolling sixes in bearoffs.

Unfortunately, a friend of mine was cheated out of 700 dollars by this man. I spoke to Rio security, but they seemed to have little interest in pursuing the matter.

Don't let this happen to you.

A friend of mine and I have been cheated by him as well. Do not play him or any of his associates. I have witnessed the dice manipulation.

Wait... the Rio lets you set up your own games in their hallways and offer them to passing customers of theirs?

I noticed them as well. The game was set up in the corridor next to the massage people, so maybe the Rio thought backgammon was a kind of therapy.

Wow; I just left Rio/LV and just learned BG. I probably would have played him in a small stakes game had he found me. Lucky me, I suppose?

Its a shame this guy is doing this because Poker, Chess & Backgammon are the 3 best social games in the world. Poker being the most attractive of the siblings, Chess being the smartest, and Backgammon being the rebel of the group.

Tough way to make a living.

I remember this character from the 80's and 90's when he was still allowed to play in BG tournaments.

He used to wear a raincoat with floppy long sleeves to help hide his acumen as a dice mechanic.

I cannot now recall his real name.