Check with your local clubs to learn which special events are scheduled in your area or go to Participating Clubs. Many games require additional fees to support a variety of funds and defray the costs of hand records and analyses.
2016 Games
January 2016
Junior Fund Month*
Date: All January
Masterpoints:
- 63.6% sectional-rated black
All sanctioned club sessions in January may be held as Junior Fund Games. Junior Fund Games cannot be held during the months of April, May and September. Players earn extra masterpoints while helping the Junior program for youth up to age 26. Junior players have their own special events as well. Check them out at www.NextGenBridge.com.
February 2016
ACBL-wide International Fund Game #1
Participating Clubs These games raise funds to defray the expense of North American participation in international competition.
Date: February 6, 2016 (Saturday afternoon)
Masterpoints:
- 50/50 red and black at 81.8% sectional rating
- Overall Awards: 1st, 20; depth of awards, 10 places
- District Winners: 1st, 10; depth of awards, 5 places
Winners recognized on website and in the Bridge Bulletin. * Hand records and analyses provided
March 2016
ACBL-wide Senior Pairs
Restricted to players born prior to January 1, 1959. (One age-ineligible pair is allowed. The pair is not eligible for masterpoint awards.)
Date: March 7 (Monday afternoon)
Masterpoints:
- 72% sectional-rated black
- Overall Awards: 1st, 20; depth of awards, 10 places
- District Winners: 1st, 10; depth of awards, 5 places
Winners recognized on website and in the Bridge Bulletin *Hand records and analyses provided
April 2016
Charity Month*
Date: All April
Masterpoints:
- 63.6% sectional-rated black
All sanctioned club sessions may be held as Charity Games during April. Charity Games cannot be held during the months of January, May and September. Games support the ACBL Charity Foundation and Canadian Bridge Federation Charitable Fund or may support local charities.
ACBL-wide Charity Game
Participating Clubs
The spirit of giving is always in season. These games support the ACBL Charity Foundation and Canadian Bridge Federation Charitable Fund.
Date: April 14 (Thursday morning)
Masterpoints:
- 81.8% sectional-rated black
- Overall Awards: 1st, 20; depth of awards, 10 places
- District Winners: 1st, 10; depth of awards, 5 places
Winners recognized on website and in the Bridge Bulletin *Hand records and analyses provided
Helen Shields Canadian Rookie-Master Game
A special “pro-am” game pairing newcomers with fewer than 20 points with more experienced players Date: April 21 (Thursday)
Masterpoints:
- 56% sectional-rated black
For information: Please contact canbridge@rogers.com. *Hand records and analyses provided Back to top
May-June 2016
Grass Roots FUNd Month*
Date: All May
Masterpoints:
- 63.6% sectional-rated black
All sanctioned club sessions in May may be held as Grass Roots FUNd Games. Grass Roots FUNd Games cannot be held during the months of January, April and September. Funds raised will be returned annually to the individual district in which those funds were raised to help fund Grand National Teams and North American Pairs.
North American Pairs (NAP)
Date: June 1-August 31
Masterpoints:
- Club qualifying games 50/50 red and black at 81.8% sectional rating
- One-session unit qualifying games sectional rated red
- Two-session unit qualifying games include percentage of gold for overalls.
- District finals award gold for section firsts and overalls. Flight C is 25% gold for overalls. Other masterpoints in all flights are red.
Flights: A (Open), B (-2500), C (0-500 Non-Life Masters) District winners in each flight recognized on web site Final: Spring 2016 NABC A highly prestigious “grass roots” event, the North American Pairs starts at the club level in June, July and August. Club-level qualifications may be earned at any club in any unit in any district. A player may qualify as often as desired and with as many different partners as desired. Unit-level qualifiers are optional and held after Sept. 1 and before the district final, which may be held after the unit final until the third week in January. At the district final, both players must have qualified at the club level and must be members of the parent district. A fixed amount prize will be awarded in all flights as follows:
- Districts are entitled to three pairs in Flight A (Open) and four pairs in Flights B (0-2500) and C (under 500 Non-Life Master).
- First place qualifiers will receive $700 per person; second place qualifiers will receive $300 per person; third and fourth place qualifiers will be invited to participate in the national level finals, but will not receive a prize.
- In the event of a tie at the district finals, the qualifiers will receive the total of the awards for the tied places, divided by the number of players involved with the tie.
- Invited defenders will receive $700 per person.
- No individual may collect two concurrent prizes.
The monetary award will be available on site. Qualifiers must play in the national level event until eliminated to receive the award. There will be no entry fee for the national level of the event. Some districts do provide additional funding. Check with your district to learn whether or not they provide additional funding. Please click here for 2015-2016 Conditions of Contest.
Worldwide Bridge Contest
Date: Friday, June 3 (evening) and Saturday, June 4 (afternoon)
Masterpoints:
- 50/50 red and black at 81.8% sectional rating
*Hand records and analyses provided Top ACBL winners recognized on website and the Bridge Bulletin. It’s the event played around the world! Join us for the Worldwide Bridge Contest sponsored by the World Bridge Federation. This international competition is scored across the world using the Internet to give an overall winner. The Friday and Saturday games are separate events. Each participant receives an electronic souvenir booklet. The WBF will award prizes based on world matchpointing. The two top district winners by percentage receive bonus awards. Additional recognition comes from the WBF. Click here to learn more at the Worldwide Bridge Contest website.
Canada Olympiad Fund Game
A special game to support Canadian teams in international events.
Date: June 14 (Tuesday afternoon)
Masterpoints:
- 81.8% sectional-rated black
*Hand records and analyses provided
July-August 2016
North American Pairs (NAP)
ACBL-wide International Fund Game
These games raise funds to defray the expense of North American participation in international competition.
Date: July 14 (Thursday afternoon)
Masterpoints:
- 50/50 red and black at 81.8% sectional rating
- Overall Awards: 1st, 20; depth of awards, 10 places
- District Winners: 1st, 10; depth of awards, 5 places
Winners recognized on website and in the Bridge Bulletin *Hand records and analyses provided
September-October 2016
International Fund Month*
Date: All September
Masterpoints:
- 63.6% sectional-rated black
All sanctioned club sessions in September may be held as International Fund Club Games to support North American participation in international events. International Fund Games cannot be held during the months of January, April and May.
Grand National Teams (GNT)
Date: Begins Sept. 1 (qualifying dates set by district)
Masterpoints:
- Club qualifying games 50/50 red and black at 81.8% sectional rating
- One-session unit qualifying games sectional rated red
- Two-session unit qualifying games include percentage of gold for overalls.
- District finals award gold for section firsts and overalls. Flight C is 25% gold for overalls. Other masterpoints in all flights are red.
Flights: Championship (Open), A (0-6000), B (0-2500), C (0-500 Non-Life Masters) District winners in each flight recognized on web site.
Final: Summer 2016 NABC
The second of the ACBL’s “grass roots” events begins again at the club level and continues through district qualifying events held as late as June prior to the finals. The ACBL does not reimburse teams to attend the finals, but check with your district for available district support.
2016-2017 GNT Conditions of Contest
Jane Johnson Club Appreciation Month
Pair and Team Games
Date: October only
Masterpoints:
- 81.8% sectional-rated black (pairs)
- 5% gold to maximum .25 for winners remaining; 81.8% sectional rated black (teams)
Canada Olympiad Fund Game
A special game to support Canadian teams in international events
Date: October 3 (Monday evening)
Masterpoints:
- 81.8% sectional rated black
*Hand records and analyses provided
ACBL-wide Instant Matchpoint Game
Date: October 14 (Friday afternoon)
Masterpoints:
- One gold point to section tops in each direction in each club, remaining points red/black at 81.8% sectional rating.
- Overall Awards: 1st, 20; depth of awards, 10 places
- District Winners: 1st, 10; depth of awards, 5 places
Winners recognized on website and in the Bridge Bulletin
*Hand records and analyses provided
See your score instantly after each deal played! Features for players include a booklet with complete analyses of the deals by national champion Larry Cohen. Instant Matchpoint Game Conditions of Contest.
Erin Berry Canadian Rookie-Master Game
A special “pro-am” game pairing newcomers with fewer than 50 points with more experienced players. Date: October 18 (Tuesday)
Masterpoints:
- 56% sectional-rated black
*Hand records and analyses provided For information: Please contact canbridge@rogers.com.
November-December 2016
ACBL-wide Charity Game
The spirit of giving is always in season. These games support the ACBL Charity Foundation and Canadian Bridge Federation Charitable Fund.
Date: November 22 (Tuesday evening)
Masterpoints:
- 81.8% sectional-rated black
- Overall Awards: 1st, 20; depth of awards, 10 places
- District Winners: 1st, 10; depth of awards, 5 places
Winners recognized on website and in the Bridge Bulletin *Hand records and analyses provided
ACBL-wide International Fund Game
These games raise funds to defray the expense of North American participation in international competition.
Date: December 21 (Wednesday evening)
Masterpoints:
- 50/50 red and black at 81.8 % sectional rating
- Overall Awards: 1st, 20; depth of awards, 10 places
- District Winners: 1st, 10; depth of awards, 5 places
Winners recognized on website and in the Bridge Bulletin *Hand records and analyses provided
Other Games
Championships
Club Championships
Date: Quarterly as scheduled by club
Masterpoints:
- 63.6% sectional rated black
Upgraded Club Championships
Date: As scheduled by club
Masterpoints:
- 81.8% sectional rated black
Clubs earn one of these games for each 10 new ACBL members recruited.
Club Membership Games
Date: As scheduled by club.
Masterpoints:
- 81.8% sectional rated black
Only Life Members and paid ACBL members are eligible to win masterpoints in these games.
Inter-Club Championship Games
Date: 24 available dates scheduled by the ACBL
Masterpoints:
- Club black with club championship rating for overall across the field.
Hand records available online day after game Enjoy face-to-face play with the perk of across-the-field scoring through the Internet to determine overall rankings at all clubs that participate on the same date. Hand records include analyses by Deep Finesse on the maximum number of tricks per contract. Results, recap sheets and frequency charts also are posted. Click here for dates and other information.
Unit Championship Games
Date: As scheduled by unit
Masterpoints:
- 63.6% sectional rated black
Units often schedule monthly unit games and may schedule up to 24 per year.These games also can be used for games at special venues.
Fund Raisers
Educational Foundation Games*
Date: All months except January, April, May and September
Masterpoints:
- 63.6% sectional-rated black
Educational Foundation Games cannot be held during the months of January, April, May and September. Games support the continuing education and promotion of bridge.
GNT Fund Raiser
Date: As scheduled by club
Masterpoints:
- 81.8% sectional-rated black
These games help raise funds to send district Grand National Teams winners to the finals.
NABC Promotional Games
Date: As scheduled by host district
Masterpoints:
- 81.8% sectional-rated black
A game held at clubs in districts where an NABC is scheduled for the next three years. The district schedules a week for the games, and the ACBL sends this information to clubs advising them that the game may be held.
Other Charity Games
District Special Foundation Games
Date: As scheduled by district
Masterpoints:
- 81.8% sectional rated black
Charity Championship Junior Fund International Fund Educational Fund Grass Roots Fund A combination of all of the above not to exceed four sessions per year.
Unit Special Foundation Games
Date: As scheduled by unit
Masterpoints:
- 81.8% sectional rated black
Charity Championship Junior Fund International Fund Educational Fund Grass Roots FUNd A combination of all of the above not to exceed four sessions per year.
Canadian Bridge Week—CBF National Championships
Canadian Bridge Week—CBF National Championships, Canadian Women’s Team Championship (CWTC), Canadian Open Pairs Championship (COPC), Canadian IMP Pairs Championship (CIPC), Canadian National Team Championship (CNTC), Flights: A (open), B (0-1000), Canadian Senior Team Championship (CSTC)
Finals: May 23, 2016- May 30, 2016
National championships in Canada begin at the club level and culminate with the finals during Canadian Bridge Week. The winning women’s, national and senior teams go on to represent Canada in international competition. Qualifying dates vary. Click here for more detailed information on the Canadian Bridge Federation website.
* In the remaining eight months of the year (February, March, June, July, Aug., Oct., Nov. and Dec.) one game per month per sanctioned session may be a special game for one of the following funds:
- Junior Fund
- Charity Foundation
- to benefit the ACBL Charity Foundation (Canadian Charity Foundation for clubs in Canada) or alternate to benefit a local charity organization
- International Fund
- Educational Foundation
- Grass Roots FUNd
A regularly scheduled club game held at a frequency other than weekly, may hold one special “fund” game every fourth game.
Check with your local clubs to learn which special events are scheduled in your area or go to Participating Clubs. Many games require additional fees to support a variety of funds and defray the costs of hand records and analyses.
2017 Games
January 2017
Junior Fund Month*
Date: All January
Masterpoints:
- 63.6% sectional-rated black
All sanctioned club sessions in January may be held as Junior Fund Games. Junior Fund Games cannot be held during the months of April, May and September. Players earn extra masterpoints while helping the Junior program for youth up to age 26. Junior players have their own special events as well.
February 2017
ACBL-wide International Fund Game #1
Participating Clubs These games raise funds to defray the expense of North American participation in international competition.
Date: February 4, 2017 (Saturday afternoon)
Masterpoints:
- 50/50 red and black at 81.8% sectional rating
- Overall Awards: 1st, 20; depth of awards, 10 places
- District Winners: 1st, 10; depth of awards, 5 places
Winners recognized on website and in the Bridge Bulletin.
* Hand records and analyses provided
March 2017
ACBL-wide Senior Pairs
Restricted to players born prior to January 1, 1959. (One age-ineligible pair is allowed. The pair is not eligible for masterpoint awards.)
Date: March 27 (Monday afternoon)
Masterpoints:
- 72% sectional-rated black
- Overall Awards: 1st, 20; depth of awards, 10 places
- District Winners: 1st, 10; depth of awards, 5 places
Winners recognized on website and in the Bridge Bulletin
*Hand records and analyses provided
April 2017
Charity Month*
Date: All April
Masterpoints:
- 63.6% sectional-rated black
All sanctioned club sessions may be held as Charity Games during April. Charity Games cannot be held during the months of January, May and September. Games support the ACBL Charity Foundation and Canadian Bridge Federation Charitable Fund or may support local charities.
Helen Shields Canadian Rookie-Master Game
A special “pro-am” game pairing newcomers with fewer than 20 points with more experienced players Date: April 17 (Monday)
Masterpoints:
- 56% sectional-rated black
For information: Please contact canbridge@rogers.com. *Hand records and analyses provided
ACBL-wide Charity Game
Participating Clubs
The spirit of giving is always in season. These games support the ACBL Charity Foundation and Canadian Bridge Federation Charitable Fund.
Date: April 27 (Thursday morning)
Masterpoints:
- 81.8% sectional-rated black
- Overall Awards: 1st, 20; depth of awards, 10 places
- District Winners: 1st, 10; depth of awards, 5 places
Winners recognized on website and in the Bridge Bulletin *Hand records and analyses provided
May-June 2017
Grass Roots FUNd Month*
Date: All May
Masterpoints:
- 63.6% sectional-rated black
All sanctioned club sessions in May may be held as Grass Roots FUNd Games. Grass Roots FUNd Games cannot be held during the months of January, April and September. Funds raised will be returned annually to the individual district in which those funds were raised to help fund Grand National Teams and North American Pairs.
North American Pairs (NAP)
Date: June 1-August 31
Masterpoints:
- Club qualifying games 50/50 red and black at 81.8% sectional rating
- One-session unit qualifying games sectional rated red
- Two-session unit qualifying games include percentage of gold for overalls.
- District finals award gold for section firsts and overalls. Flight C is 25% gold for overalls. Other masterpoints in all flights are red.
Flights: A (Open), B (-2500), C (0-500 Non-Life Masters) District winners in each flight recognized on website
Final: Spring 2018 NABC
A highly prestigious “grass roots” event, the North American Pairs starts at the club level in June, July and August. Club-level qualifications may be earned at any club in any unit in any district. A player may qualify as often as desired and with as many different partners as desired. Unit-level qualifiers are optional and held after Sept. 1 and before the district final, which may be held after the unit final until the third week in January. At the district final, both players must have qualified at the club level and must be members of the parent district. A fixed amount prize will be awarded in all flights as follows:
- Districts are entitled to three pairs in Flight A (Open) and four pairs in Flights B (0-2500) and C (under 500 Non-Life Master).
- First place qualifiers will receive $700 per person; second place qualifiers will receive $300 per person; third and fourth place qualifiers will be invited to participate in the national level finals, but will not receive a prize.
- In the event of a tie at the district finals, the qualifiers will receive the total of the awards for the tied places, divided by the number of players involved with the tie.
- Invited defenders will receive $700 per person.
- No individual may collect two concurrent prizes.
The monetary award will be available on site. Qualifiers must play in the national level event until eliminated to receive the award. There will be no entry fee for the national level of the event. Some districts do provide additional funding. Check with your district to learn whether or not they provide additional funding. Conditions of Contest will be available summer 2017.
Worldwide Bridge Contest
Date: Friday, June 2 (evening) and Saturday, June 3 (afternoon)
Masterpoints:
- 50/50 red and black at 81.8% sectional rating
*Hand records and analyses provided Top ACBL winners recognized on website and the Bridge Bulletin. It’s the event played around the world! Join us for the Worldwide Bridge Contest sponsored by the World Bridge Federation. This international competition is scored across the world using the Internet to give an overall winner. The Friday and Saturday games are separate events. Each participant receives an electronic souvenir booklet. The WBF will award prizes based on world matchpointing. The two top district winners by percentage receive bonus awards. Additional recognition comes from the WBF.
Click here to learn more at the Worldwide Bridge Contest website.
Canada Olympiad Fund Game
A special game to support Canadian teams in international events.
Date: June 14 (Wednesday afternoon)
Masterpoints:
- 81.8% sectional-rated black
*Hand records and analyses provided
July-August 2016
North American Pairs (NAP)
ACBL-wide International Fund Game
These games raise funds to defray the expense of North American participation in international competition.
Date: July 11 (Tuesday morning)
Masterpoints:
- 50/50 red and black at 81.8% sectional rating
- Overall Awards: 1st, 20; depth of awards, 10 places
- District Winners: 1st, 10; depth of awards, 5 places
Winners recognized on website and in the Bridge Bulletin *Hand records and analyses provided
September-October 2016
International Fund Month*
Date: All September
Masterpoints:
- 63.6% sectional-rated black
All sanctioned club sessions in September may be held as International Fund Club Games to support North American participation in international events. International Fund Games cannot be held during the months of January, April and May.
Grand National Teams (GNT)
Date: Begins Sept. 1 (qualifying dates set by district)
Masterpoints:
- Club qualifying games 50/50 red and black at 81.8% sectional rating
- One-session unit qualifying games sectional rated red
- Two-session unit qualifying games include percentage of gold for overalls.
- District finals award gold for section firsts and overalls. Flight C is 25% gold for overalls. Other masterpoints in all flights are red.
Flights: Championship (Open), A (0-6000), B (0-2500), C (0-500 Non-Life Masters) District winners in each flight recognized on web site.
Final: Summer 2018 NABC
The second of the ACBL’s “grass roots” events begins again at the club level and continues through district qualifying events held as late as June prior to the finals. The ACBL does not reimburse teams to attend the finals, but check with your district for available district support.
The 2017-18 Conditions of Contest will be available summer 2017.
Jane Johnson Club Appreciation Month
Pair and Team Games
Date: October only
Masterpoints:
- 81.8% sectional-rated black (pairs)
- 5% gold to maximum .25 for winners remaining; 81.8% sectional rated black (teams)
Canada Olympiad Fund Game
A special game to support Canadian teams in international events
Date: October 6 (Friday Afternoon)
Masterpoints:
- 81.8% sectional rated black
*Hand records and analyses provided
Erin Berry Canadian Rookie-Master Game
A special “pro-am” game pairing newcomers with fewer than 50 points with more experienced players. Date: October 18 (Tuesday)
Masterpoints:
- 56% sectional-rated black
*Hand records and analyses provided For information: Please contact canbridge@rogers.com.
ACBL-wide Instant Matchpoint Game
Date: October 25 (Wednesday afternoon)
Masterpoints:
- One gold point to section tops in each direction in each club, remaining points red/black at 81.8% sectional rating.
- Overall Awards: 1st, 20; depth of awards, 10 places
- District Winners: 1st, 10; depth of awards, 5 places
Winners recognized on website and in the Bridge Bulletin
*Hand records and analyses provided
See your score instantly after each deal played! Features for players include a booklet with complete analyses of the deals by national champion Larry Cohen. Instant Matchpoint Game Conditions of Contest will be available summer 2017.
November-December 2016
ACBL-wide Charity Game
The spirit of giving is always in season. These games support the ACBL Charity Foundation and Canadian Bridge Federation Charitable Fund.
Date: November 21 (Tuesday evening)
Masterpoints:
- 81.8% sectional-rated black
- Overall Awards: 1st, 20; depth of awards, 10 places
- District Winners: 1st, 10; depth of awards, 5 places
Winners recognized on website and in the Bridge Bulletin *Hand records and analyses provided
ACBL-wide International Fund Game
These games raise funds to defray the expense of North American participation in international competition.
Date: December 20 (Wednesday evening)
Masterpoints:
- 50/50 red and black at 81.8 % sectional rating
- Overall Awards: 1st, 20; depth of awards, 10 places
- District Winners: 1st, 10; depth of awards, 5 places
Winners recognized on website and in the Bridge Bulletin *Hand records and analyses provided
Other Games
Championships
Club Championships
Date: Quarterly as scheduled by club
Masterpoints:
- 63.6% sectional rated black
Upgraded Club Championships
Date: As scheduled by club
Masterpoints:
- 81.8% sectional rated black
Clubs earn one of these games for each 10 new ACBL members recruited.
Club Membership Games
Date: As scheduled by club.
Masterpoints:
- 81.8% sectional rated black
Only Life Members and paid ACBL members are eligible to win masterpoints in these games.
Inter-Club Championship Games
Date: 24 available dates scheduled by the ACBL
Masterpoints:
- Club black with club championship rating for overall across the field.
Hand records available online day after game Enjoy face-to-face play with the perk of across-the-field scoring through the Internet to determine overall rankings at all clubs that participate on the same date. Hand records include analyses by Deep Finesse on the maximum number of tricks per contract. Results, recap sheets and frequency charts also are posted. Click here for dates and other information.
Unit Championship Games
Date: As scheduled by unit
Masterpoints:
- 63.6% sectional rated black
Units often schedule monthly unit games and may schedule up to 24 per year.These games also can be used for games at special venues.
Fund Raisers
Educational Foundation Games*
Date: All months except January, April, May and September
Masterpoints:
- 63.6% sectional-rated black
Educational Foundation Games cannot be held during the months of January, April, May and September. Games support the continuing education and promotion of bridge.
GNT Fund Raiser
Date: As scheduled by club
Masterpoints:
- 81.8% sectional-rated black
These games help raise funds to send district Grand National Teams winners to the finals.
NABC Promotional Games
Date: As scheduled by host district
Masterpoints:
- 81.8% sectional-rated black
A game held at clubs in districts where an NABC is scheduled for the next three years. The district schedules a week for the games, and the ACBL sends this information to clubs advising them that the game may be held.
Other Charity Games
District Special Foundation Games
Date: As scheduled by district
Masterpoints:
- 81.8% sectional rated black
Charity Championship Junior Fund International Fund Educational Fund Grass Roots Fund A combination of all of the above not to exceed four sessions per year.
Unit Special Foundation Games
Date: As scheduled by unit
Masterpoints:
- 81.8% sectional rated black
Charity Championship Junior Fund International Fund Educational Fund Grass Roots FUNd A combination of all of the above not to exceed four sessions per year.
Canadian Bridge Week—CBF National Championships
Canadian Bridge Week—CBF National Championships, Canadian Women’s Team Championship (CWTC), Canadian Open Pairs Championship (COPC), Canadian IMP Pairs Championship (CIPC), Canadian National Team Championship (CNTC), Flights: A (open), B (0-1000), Canadian Senior Team Championship (CSTC)
Finals: May 23, 2016- May 30, 2016
National championships in Canada begin at the club level and culminate with the finals during Canadian Bridge Week. The winning women’s, national and senior teams go on to represent Canada in international competition. Qualifying dates vary. Click here for more detailed information on the Canadian Bridge Federation website.
* In the remaining eight months of the year (February, March, June, July, Aug., Oct., Nov. and Dec.) one game per month per sanctioned session may be a special game for one of the following funds:
- Junior Fund
- Charity Foundation
- to benefit the ACBL Charity Foundation (Canadian Charity Foundation for clubs in Canada) or alternate to benefit a local charity organization
- International Fund
- Educational Foundation
- Grass Roots FUNd
A regularly scheduled club game held at a frequency other than weekly, may hold one special “fund” game every fourth game.
