The $4.35 million Dragon Stout World Series Domino Tournament moves into its second round today following a highly successful start in Lyssons, St Thomas, last weekend.

The rich and prestigious cut-throat tournament, which began last Saturday and Sunday, attracted 172 players. The action moves to the Horoscope Bar in Manchioneal, Portland, today and tomorrow, with registration beginning at 9 a.m. and play is set to start at 11 a.m.

At stake is a whopping $2 million to the winner, $1 million to the runner-up, $500,000 to the player placing third, $250,000 for fourth, while players finishing from fifth to 16th place will each receive $100,000 for this, the richest-ever domino tournament to be held in Jamaica.

Last weekend, 27 players qualified from the first round, among them two females. They are Kerry-Ann Duff from Portland and Hermine Faggarthy from Nine Miles, Bull Bay.

According to Kerry Newman, managing director of World Series of Dominoes, organisers of the tournament, Faggarthy made a strong impression.

"She looked assertive and assured in her style of play and in qualifying from this round beat three of her male counterparts in decisive fashion.

"We are going to keep on eye on her down the road as even if she fails to reach the final, she could secure the $100,000 offered to the female player who reaches the highest level in the tournament," said Newman.

four-month tourney

Following this weekend's activities, the action will move to Port Maria in St Mary on December 19 and 20. It will embrace over 40 venues islandwide (including Kingston) during its four-month run.

The final is set for Saturday, April 3, in the Corporate Area.

In addition to Dragon Stout, associate sponsors are Ocean Spray, Paymaster and the Jamaica Observer.