The first national Baloot championship is being held at the King Abdullah Petroleum Studies and Research Center in Riyadh from April 4 and will be held until April 18.
Web Report
RIYADH — Saudi Arabia has recognized the popular Saudi card game Baloot and kicked off its national first-ever cards tournament in the capital.
The first national Baloot championship is being held at the King Abdullah Petroleum Studies and Research Center in Riyadh from April 4 and will be held until April 18.
According to the Saudi General Sports Authority, the top four players will receive prize money totaling more than $270,000, including $133,350 for the winner.
According to Saudi media reports, more than 12,000 people are participating in the tournament. Several prominent personalities have visited the tournament venue, reported Al Arabiya.
Sheikh Adel al-Kalbani, a senior Muslim cleric, attended the opening day of the event – a move likely taken by authorities to dampen criticism from conservatives.
“Unfortunately I don’t know how to play Baloot but I wish everyone luck and I hope there is good sportsmanship,” Kalbani told players.
The card game, similar to the French game Belote and Rummy played in India and Pakistan, is popular with Saudi men of all age groups and is commonly played by youth in open places in Saudi neighbourhoods and even during friendly meetings, family gatherings, and weddings. It was considered taboo by many in Saudi society and an addictive game that deprived God’s blessing.
“It’s an ancient game that has been passed down from generation to generation, and this championship will gradually spread the culture of baloot to the Arab world, and maybe even further, on an international level,” Aiman Turkistani from Makkah told Arab News.