CHICAGO CELEBRATES RUMMIKUB THROUGH PARTNERSHIP WITH THE PUBLIC LIBRARY

CHICAGO CELEBRATES RUMMIKUB THROUGH PARTNERSHIP

WITH THE PUBLIC LIBRARY IN ADVANCE OF

U.S. NATIONAL TOURNAMENT AT CHITAG 2017

CHICAGO, IL (OCTOBER 27, 2017) -- Rummikub® the tile-based game that combines elements of rummy, mahjong and dominoes has been delighting and entrancing players of all ages for more than 70 years. This November, the excitement lands in Chicago through a partnership between manufacturer, Goliath Games, and the Chicago Public Library. The month of fun culminates with the U.S. National Rummikub Championship, held every three years and held for the second time during the Chicago Toy and Game Week (ChiTAG) Fair on Navy Pier November 18-19. The winner of the U.S. tournament will win airfare and accommodations to participate in the 2018 World Championship in Jerusalem!

Rummikub fans can join the fun and prepare for the tournament through events at select Chicago Public Library locations throughout the month of November. On Sunday, November 12, the library will host a multi-generational gameplay event at the Harold Washington Library in downtown Chicago. The next day, six library locations (to be announced) will host afterschool gameplay events designed for kids. Event participants will receive complimentary admission to the ChiTAG Fair in addition to being entered to win prizes. As part of the partnership, Goliath Games will donate a brand new Rummikub set to each of the Chicago Public Library's 79 locations!

Rummikub will also be celebrated in grand fashion at the 2017 TAGIE (Toy and Game Innovation) Awards, held annually in conjunction with Chicago Toy and Game Week. This year’s Lifetime Achievement Award will be presented to Adi Golad, founder Chairman of Goliath, which sells Rummikub in North America. Adi and his wife, Margreeth, fell in love over a game of Rummikub! TAGIE Award Gala tickets are available by visiting ChiTAG.com.

To register for the U.S. National Rummikub Tournament being held on Sunday, November 19th from 1:30-5:30 p.m, visit ChiTAG.com or go directly to https://www.eventbrite.com/e/2017-us-national-rummikub-championship-tickets-37747049441. The registration fee is $25 and includes entrance to the ChiTAG Fair and a special-edition, retro Rummikub tin set. Participants must be at least 18 years of age. The winner of the tournament will receive roundtrip airfare for two and accommodations at the Waldorf Astoria Hotel in Jerusalem, to compete in the 2018 Rummikub World Championship, November 9-12, 2018. The winner of the World Championship will win $6,607.

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ADDITIONAL RUMMIKUB INFORMATION

Rummikub is a tile-based game for two to four players, which combines the elements of rummy and mahjong. It’s no surprise that Rummikub is so popular–it has all the elements that make a great game: it’s easy to learn and fast moving, it’s different every time it’s played, it combines luck and strategy, and it changes quickly so every player has a chance to win until the very end. With more than 50 million units sold, Rummikub is one of the world’s best-selling, and most-played, games. Rummikub is a registered trademark of M&M Ventures, Limited, Gibraltar, Gibraltar.

OBJECT OF THE GAME

The object of the game is to be the first player to play every tile on your rack. To win Rummikub, one must use up all of his/her tiles by putting out runs or groups, or adding on to other player’s sets. Players take turns placing numbered tiles in runs (consecutive numbers of the same color, like 2, 3, 4 in red) and groups (three or more of the same number in different colors, like a red 9, a blue 9, and a black 9), rummy style.

GAME HISTORY

This is the fascinating story of the Rummikub game, whose conception is obscured in the past, over 70 years ago. The game started as a brilliant idea that had occurred to Mr. Hertzano – to substitute the traditional cards, used in a popular cards game, with colorful tiles and new game play. That idea – through faith and passionate dream of tiles rattling all over – finally materialized. Accompanied with a vision just as bright and as grand as the initial idea, it became an overnight hit.

WHY IT’S FUN

Rummikub is a worldwide known brand played by millions of players, young and old, sold in more than 50 countries and translated into 26 languages. No barriers of language can overcome the joy and interest the game creates. There are a lot of exciting moments packed with strategy–the “board” changes all the time as players adjust the tiles on the table. The Joker tiles add to the fun; they can be any color or number. Ultimately, the story of Rummikub is about great vision, willpower and lot of optimism while representing the joy in life.

TOURNAMENT HISTORY

The first World Rummikub Championship (WRC) took place in 1991 and set the ground for future tournaments. Since then every three years, the International Rummikub tournaments are held, a tradition of three days of joy, fun and competition.

About the Chicago Toy & Game Group, Inc.

The Chicago Toy & Game Group, Inc. oversees toy industry initiatives designed to encourage and promote the power of play and invention in social, educational, and professional environments. Chicago Toy & Game (ChiTAG) Group initiatives include the Chicago Toy & Game (ChiTAG) Fair, the PlayCHIC Fashion Show, the Toy & Game Innovation of the Year (TAGIE) Awards, the Young Inventor Challenge, the New Inventor