Fresno’s Elite Domino Tournament Draws Crowds

Elite Domino League Grows in Popularity with Second Tournament at Club One

FRESNO, CA – The Elite Domino League, a new but rapidly growing community event, hosted its second tournament this past Saturday at Club One. The event drew a diverse crowd of participants, all eager to engage in some friendly yet fiercely competitive domino play. The league, founded just three months ago by Alonzo Summerfield and his brothers, has quickly become a staple in the local scene, bringing together seasoned players and newcomers alike.

“We’ve been playing dominoes for the last eight years,” Summerfield shared. “It started with my twin brother, Lorenzo, our cousin JJ, my brother Million, and myself. We’d get together every Sunday, just the four of us, and play. JJ’s our unofficial ‘fishie,’ but we love him. We’d play best of seven, and one day, we thought, ‘Why not put on a tournament?’”

That casual thought among brothers has since evolved into the Elite Domino League, which held its inaugural tournament three months ago. The first event drew over 40 participants and generated significant buzz across the city. “It was our first time getting our toes wet, and the turnout was amazing,” Summerfield noted. “Jamie Rhodes, who won that first tournament, was back this weekend, ready to defend his title.”

The Elite Domino League operates with a unique set of rules designed to ensure fair and competitive play. “We play cut-throat style, seven dominoes,” Summerfield explained. “If you play bogus, that’s automatically a game. We want the players to police themselves, but we do have people watching from the outside. If someone calls bogus, someone can step in and confirm the call. We’re just trying to keep it fair.”

The competitive spirit that the league fosters is evident in the atmosphere at the tournaments. “When they see that first person get the trophy and the prize money, it sparks that competitive edge we want to bring,” Summerfield said. “We’re looking to have a good turnout for this second tournament. It’s all about having fun and giving the guys something to do.”

While dominoes are often associated with older generations, the Elite Domino League is breaking that stereotype. “When people think of dominoes, they think old school,” Summerfield observed. “But we had ladies in here, we had youngins, and we had a good mix. I look forward to seeing more OGs come out because when you get them in here talking their slang, it creates that competitive edge. It gives the young ones something to aspire to, to get their game better.”

The league is already looking ahead, with plans to make the tournament a regular monthly event. “We’re going to take this as far as we want to take it,” Summerfield stated confidently. “In our last tournament, we had so many people who didn’t even know what it was. But after seeing the videos and the social media posts, I’m expecting 50-plus for our second tournament.”

Reflecting on the league’s roots, Summerfield expressed his appreciation for the community’s support and the venue that has hosted the tournaments. “I remember watching the OGs, Tony Martin, Johnny Neleman, playing at Hinton Center, and you know, they slamming dominoes. Even my pops and my grandfather—watching them play was something else. Back then, we were too young to sit still at the table, but now, every Sunday, we’re here, playing for hours. We want to give respect to the OGs and give them something back too.”

Summerfield also extended his gratitude to Club One for providing a space for the league to grow. “Thank God for Club One,” he said. “They helped us connect the dots and gave us the space to figure out who is number one around here.”

As the Elite Domino League continues to gain momentum, it’s clear that this isn’t just a game for the participants—it’s a way to build community, celebrate tradition, and foster competition across generations. With its second tournament now in the books, the league is poised to become a mainstay in Fresno’s social calendar, bringing together players from all walks of life to compete, connect, and, most importantly, have fun.