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Masterpoints

Masterpoints are the exclusive currency of the ACBL as the measure of achievement in duplicate bridge competition. Masterpoints are awarded in six “color” categories and are essential to rank advancement. The ACBL has 16 player ranks that require a specific number and color of masterpoints.


How Masterpoints are Awarded

Masterpoints are “pigmented” to reflect the level of competition. In general, the larger the field and the more expert the competitors are at a tournament, the greater the Masterpoint awards will be for those who place in the overall. Masterpoints at clubs are usually limited, although special games can increase the payoff.

There are formulas for computing masterpoint awards for all ACBL-sanctioned events. These formulas take into account various factors, such as the class of the event, the size of the field, the number of sessions and the level of competition, thus ensuring maximum uniformity throughout the ACBL in determining masterpoint awards.

Masterpoint Pigments

masterpoints_blackBlack points are awarded for overall positions, section positions, and match awards in ACBL-sanctioned club games, in all unit events and in all other levels of tournament competition except those in which gold, red or silver points or net points are awarded.

masterpoints_silver Silver points are awarded for success in events at sectional tournaments. Progressive sectionals and Sectional Tournaments at Clubs (STaCs) also award silver points.

masterpoints_red Red points are awarded for all regional-rated events at North American Bridge Championships (NABCs) and for all events at a regional tournament when the masterpoints are not gold. Grand National Teams (GNT) events, North American Pairs (NAP) events and other special games afford players the opportunity to earn red points at their local clubs.

masterpoints_gold Gold points are awarded at NABCs in national-rated events that have an upper limit of at least 750 masterpoints. Gold points are awarded for overall positions and for section firsts in all two-session, regional-rated events with an upper limit of at least 750 masterpoints at NABCs and regional tournaments. Pairs filling in for one session of a two-session event receive any gold points earned. Partial gold-point awards are given for certain special events.

masterpoints_platinum Platinum points are awarded for NABC+ events (which are national-rated events with no upper masterpoint limit) and include the national-rated senior and women’s events.

masterpoints_no Unpigmented points are awarded for success in online play and are colorless.


Masterpoint Ranks & Requirements for Rank Advancement

Masterpoint Ranks

Rookie
Junior Master
Club Master
Sectional Master
Regional Master
NABC Master
Advanced NABC Master
Life Master
Bronze Life Master
Silver Life Master
Ruby
Gold Life Master
Sapphire
Diamond Life Master
Emerald Life Master
Platinum Life Master
Grand Life Master*
masterpoints_ranks


Masterpoint Races

In addition to rank advancement, there are three categories to compete in within your rank at the national, district and unit level: The Mini-McKenney, Helen Shanbrom Ace of Clubs and Ace of Virtual Clubs races. To be listed in these categories, you must be a paid member in good standing.

Please note: When using the masterpoint races table you can adjust the sort fields at the top of the page to minimize results returned. If you are looking for a specific person’s position in a race you can search the table by using the search bar just above the table results to the right.

Pigmented Races

All Colors All ColorsPlatinum PlatinumGold GoldSilver SilverRed RedBlack Black

Other Races


Masterpoint FAQ
How do I view my masterpoints?
To see your current masterpoint balance, go to the MyACBL portal. For a detailed statement, check your Masterpoint History.
How do I view my game results?
  • NABCs, Regional and Sectional tournaments publish their results in ACBL LIVE.
  • STaC (Sectional Tournament at Clubs) results can be accessed at the Find a STaC page.
  • Club Results can be found at my.acbl.org/club-results.
How often are masterpoints credited to my record?
Results are posted as they are received here at ACBL headquarters. This means that tournaments are normally posted on the Monday or Tuesday following the tournament and will show up on your record the day after they are posted. Club masterpoints are reported as the game files are uploaded by the club.
When do rank changes occur? I know I have made the grade but my record doesn't show the change.
On the evening of the sixth of each month, we run the “masterpoint computer cycle.” It is at this time that masterpoints earned in the previous month are accrued and ranks change if masterpoint rank requirements are met.
I am a new member. Can I receive credit for the points I won before joining the ACBL?
New members can accrue up to 20 Masterpoints earned prior to joining the ACBL. Please ask your club to send the attendance records to ACBL (Instructions for Club Managers/Directors).
How do I earn masterpoints for the Ace of Clubs, Ace of Virtual Clubs, and Mini-McKenney Races?

Mini-McKenney

In 1974, the ACBL Board of Directors voted to recognize the masterpoint achievements of all players and the Mini-McKenney races were established. The winners at each level of achievement are recognized by the ACBL each year in the April issue of the Bridge Bulletin and at the district and unit levels. Eligibility is determined by each player’s masterpoint holding at the beginning of the calendar year. The home unit of each winner may purchase a Mini-McKenney medallion to present to the player. Standings are updated monthly.

Helen Shanbrom Ace of Clubs

The vast majority of ACBL members play in local club games. To recognize achievement at the club level, the Ace of Clubs competition was created in 1984. These club champions are recognized at the unit level and ACBL-wide. All points won at the club level are counted in this contest with the exception of those won in STaCs. This award was renamed in 2011 in honor of Grand Life Master Helen Shanbrom of Tamarac FL. Shanbrom was one of the most active players in the ACBL for decades and won the top category of the Ace of Clubs more times than any other member in ACBL history.

Ace of Virtual Clubs

Begining in January of 2023, all sanctioned games held at ACBL Virtual Clubs (VACB), are to be counted in the Ace of Virtual Clubs Masterpoint Races at Unit, District and ACBL-wide levels, and are not to be counted in the Helen Shanbrom Ace of Clubs.

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