The popular card game, thunee, was once again the main attraction at the first competition of the year at the Wild Coast Sun Hotel and Casino Resort on May 2.

Thunee is popular among South African Indians and is a trick-taking card game played by four players in two teams, with partners sitting diagonally opposite each other, using 24 cards.

The competition has been going strong for the last 14 years and attracts players from around the country. Teams won a share of over R50 000 in cash and prizes.

Team Hollywoodbets Strini Pillay and Lazarus Chetty from Chatsworth won the tournament. In second place was father and son, Dave and Ricardo Naidoo from Tongaat. For the second time in a row, Kyle Reddy and Brandon Govender from Phoenix, placed third. They had fought hard to get to the finals.

Flying the local flag high, were Kevin Govender and Jason Govender, but they were were knocked out before the finals.

Event organiser, Anandh Perumall said more than 100 teams took part in the tournament.
“This year the top 16 teams walked away with prizes. Congratulations to all players and the winning teams for keeping the game of thunee alive. I was astounded, as for the very first time,we welcomed Dylan van Berkel, who played with his brother-in-law James Venketruthnum.”

Dylan was the only non-Indian and came close to the finals.

“I have been playing thunee for the past 16 years and love the game. I only get to play with my Indian brothers and sisters at family functions,” said Dylan.

The next tournament will be announced later in the year.

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