Harvey Mudd Mathematician Joins Backgammon Hall of Fame

Harvey Mudd College mathematics professor and mathemagician Art Benjamin was inducted into the American Backgammon Hall of Fame June 11. The American Backgammon Hall of Fame recognizes individuals who have achieved extraordinary playing results and/or have made extraordinary contributions to the game of backgammon in the United States. Benjamin and John O’Hagan joined 25 other individuals who had been previously inducted.

From the citation: Benjamin is one of the most recognized and popular players in American backgammon. A few of his notable career achievements include being the all-time point leader in the American Backgammon Tour (ABT) between 1996 and 2001, and winning the ABT Online in its inaugural 2020 season. Benjamin is the Smallwood Family Professor of Mathematics at Harvey Mudd College. He uses his position to conduct serious academic research into backgammon with his students and shares his findings with the backgammon community. He demonstrates his mathematical insights through his popular lectures at ABT tournaments and in his numerous books. Benjamin writes a column for PrimeTime Backgammon Magazine called “Math Overboard.” He loves to teach and share the fun he has with mathematics. He has served on the U.S. Backgammon Federation Board of Directors since 2011.