Legion hosts annual cribbage tournament

By John Watson Local Journalism Initiative Reporter

Dozens of legionnaires arrived in Strathmore in order to participate in the AB NWT Legion Pairs Cribbage tournament March 20-21.

The weekend event ran with 17 pairs of competitors coming out from across the designated region for the Dominion level competition.

“Every year, we have play downs; you have your district, and then you go to command. The Top 2 teams come from all over the province,” said David Beattie, sports officer for the Strathmore Legion Branch 10. “Cribbage has been played in the legion for as long as the legion has been around, I believe. I have been playing it for 10, 15 years.”

The event largely featured cribbage as its primary competition, however, Beattie added legionnaires also competed in darts and euchre. 

Most people in attendance tended to play one game or another, though there were those who had qualified in multiple and crossed over during the tournament. 

“(Qualifiers) usually happen in September and January. Usually, we have a playoff with as many as 10 teams competing for two spots for our district,” said Beattie. “It can be pretty intense. When I play in the darts, I do it to travel and to see people I have not seen since last year. It is a camaraderie and it can be competitive. There are competitive teams, but overall, I think it should just be a fun day of playing cribbage and meeting new people.”

According to the tournament release distributed by the legion, the annual Dominion Cribbage Championships were introduced to the Legion in 1989 with three categories, being singles, doubles, and team competition. 

Prizing for victorious competitors used to offer plaques or patches, however, nowadays it is moreso about friendly competition and bragging rights. 

The Command level cribbage tournament tends to move around the province year over year, taking place anywhere from Strathmore to Pincher Creek to Yellowknife, and anywhere in between. 

For those who qualify at Command, the next stage of annual competition is at Dominion, which can occur throughout Canada from Victoria to St. Johns. This year, Dominion will take place in Cochrane. 

“In certain sports like singles cribbage, you go on to Dominion; pairs and team cribbage you do not go on. It depends on what you are playing,” said Beattie.

At the conclusion of the games, the legion hosted a banquet and award ceremony for the participants and to recognize the winning teams.