ACBL issues sanctions to bridge clubs authorizing them to run duplicate games at which masterpoints are awarded, thus permitting ACBL members and others to compete on a regular basis in their own community. This chapter presents ACBL rules and regulations pertaining to clubs running sanctioned masterpoint games.

It is the responsibility of the club to comply with all local, state and federal laws. Clubs are not authorized to use the ACBL name or logo or other ACBL identification except in connection with the issuance of masterpoints.

SECTION ONE: ACBL CLUB MASTERPOINT GAME SANCTION

An ACBL club sanction grants the right to an entity to conduct bridge games at regularly scheduled times and locations and award masterpoints at those games in accordance with specific ACBL rules and regulations.

There are approximately 3,600 clubs that conduct ACBL sanctioned games. Some operate only a monthly game, while others operate as many as 18 games a week. Altogether, nearly 2.5 million tables of sanctioned games in clubs are played annually throughout ACBL territory.

Games must be conducted in accordance with both the letter and the spirit of ACBL regulations as well as the Laws of Duplicate Contract Bridge. The success or failure of games conducted by a club is the responsibility of the club manager. The club manager is free to operate the club as he or she sees fit, as long as the operation of ACBL sanctioned games falls within the limits prescribed by ACBL and the unit within which the club is geographically located.

I. ELIGIBILITY

Any individual ACBL member, group of ACBL members, or nonaffiliated organization (such as a country club, a fraternal or industrial organization, or a church or other religious group) may apply for a sanction. When ACBL issues a sanction, the sanction holder is given the right to conduct bridge games and award club masterpoints in accordance with ACBL rules and regulations. Sanction application forms are available from the ACBL Club Membership Department.

II. SANCTIONED GAME PROVISIONS

A. SCHEDULING MASTERPOINT GAMES

A club may conduct one or more regularly scheduled games under one sanction at varying sites. The club must list all regularly scheduled games that will award masterpoints and all addresses where these games will be held on the sanction application. (SEE sample application on pages 49 & 50.) Once the sanction is granted, only those game sessions listed on the application may award masterpoints. If a schedule change is contemplated or proposed, two weeks notice must be given to ACBL before the change may be made. However, no notice is necessary if a club's regularly scheduled session falls on the evening (6:00 p.m. or later) of December 31 (New Year's Eve). The club may schedule two sessions of play that night - one to begin before midnight and the other after.

B. ADDING GAMES

A club may add or change game sessions on a sanction any time during the year, provided that it notifies the ACBL Club Membership Department and pays a fee (SEE Appendix G.) for each game session changed.

C. CANCELING SESSIONS

ACBL regulations permit the canceling of a specific session without penalty. (SEE CHAPTER 4, Section Three-IV.E.) The club manager or director must note the canceled game session on the Monthly Report Form. No fees are refunded for canceled game sessions.

D. NON-EXCLUSIVITY OF SANCTION

ACBL sanctions are not exclusive. ACBL encourages open competition among clubs and will sanction two or more club games simultaneously in the same community but usually not at the same location. When two or more club games do occupy the same quarters (as happens when a group of sanction holders cooperate to maintain a city bridge center), they may not operate simultaneously unless their games are of a different class.

Units may not compete with existing club games. A unit may sponsor a club game or games when no existing club game(s) is in operation in a given area. Exception: Units operating a club-type game prior to a new game receiving sanction may continue to do so.

E. CLUB CHAMPIONSHIPS

Every club holding ACBL sanctioned games has the right to run one special club championship game each calendar quarter for each game session sanctioned. For example, a club that meets twice each week may hold two club championships per quarter. Regulations that cover club championships are explained in detail in Section Six of this chapter.

When a club recruits 10 new members, one additional club championship may be upgraded to a sectional-rated, black point game. (SEE CHAPTER 4, Section Six-I.)

F. CLUBS IN GOOD STANDING

Clubs that operate in full compliance with ACBL regulations remain in good standing. On application, ACBL will renew their game sanctions for the following year. However, ACBL will not renew sanctions for clubs that have unresolved problems with monthly or special game reports until the problems are resolved. ACBL is not obligated to renew sanctions for clubs with significant violations of ACBL rules and regulations.

III. COST OF A SANCTION

All fees and charges for sanctions are payable in U.S. funds or designated equivalent.

A. NEW CLUB GAMES

ACBL considers a club game new if it has not been sanctioned previously at the specific location for which it is applying, if it fails to renew its sanction by January 31, if it is on inactive status, or if it has not conducted regularly scheduled duplicate games during the preceding calendar year. However, if a club moves to a new location in the same playing area and retains its regular clientele and club number, ACBL does not consider it new. Should a new club game sanction be denied, a specific reason will be given.

B. ANNUAL FEE

When a club files its annual sanction application, it must include a fee for each regularly scheduled game session it intends to conduct. This fee is paid once a year. (SEE Appendix G.) A regularly scheduled game session is held at approximately the same time of day, on the same day of the week, either weekly, every other week (for example, every other Wednesday), twice a month (for example, the second and fourth Wednesday of every month), or monthly. Games that operate for only a short time during the year (for example, during summer months or fall holidays) are subject to this fee, just as if sessions were held throughout the year.

C. TABLE FEES

A club must pay a fee for each sanctioned game session held plus a fee for each table in play. ACBL charges only one game session fee if different levels of games are held simultaneously. The club must show on the Monthly Report Form the number of game sessions played, as well as an exact listing of the number of tables in play at each game session. (SEE CHAPTER 4, Table 4.1, page 5.) The club must send this report to ACBL along with the remittance to cover the fees due.

NOTE: Table and session sanction fees are waived for any game that a club schedules to recruit new members and for which it charges no entry fee.

IV. OBTAINING A SANCTION

A. WAITING PERIOD

When ACBL receives an application for a new club game sanction or reinstatement of a lapsed sanction, there is an automatic 30-day probationary period before the sanction is issued. During this period, copies of the application are sent to an official of the unit that has jurisdiction and, on request, to the district director for their assessment.

ACBL also requires a 30-day probationary period when a club game sanction is transferred to a new owner or group. During that time the unit and/or district director may assess the club's new management. The ACBL will waive the 30-day probationary period if the unit or the district director agrees in writing to the waiver.

B. ALLOWABLE OBJECTIONS TO A SANCTION

A unit or district director may object to a masterpoint game sanction being granted on the grounds that: (1) the proposed quarters are not suitable, or (2) the applicant's record as an ACBL member indicates previous failures in meeting ACBL standards. ACBL may refuse to grant a new sanction because of the applicant's and/or club manager's history of failure to adhere to ACBL regulations. If ACBL rejects an application because of an objection from the unit or district director, the applicant may appeal the rejection to the ACBL Board of Directors. The applicant must make the appeal within 30 days of the date he or she received notice that the application was rejected.

C. DURATION OF A SANCTION

A sanction is valid only until the end of the calendar year for which it was issued. (SEE CHAPTER 4, Section One-V.D.) ACBL will not renew a sanction if the club fails to observe regulations, including those that concern reporting and paying for special events sanctioned by the club.

If for some reason, such as remodeling playing quarters or location loss, a club must close a game for an extended period of time, ACBL will place the sanction on an inactive status. ACBL will not renew the sanction for the following year unless the club has a location and a specific date when games will resume.

V. SANCTIONED CLUB GAME REQUIREMENTS

A. MANAGER

Every ACBL sanctioned masterpoint club game must designate an active ACBL member as its manager, except as noted below. The manager may be the owner or may be elected, appointed, or hired. If the club sponsor is a non-bridge-related organization, the club manager may be a non-ACBL member employee of the sponsoring organization. The club manager is accountable to ACBL for the enforcement of ACBL rules and regulations in all sanctioned games the club conducts. The club manager must supervise the following activities:

• Issuance of club masterpoint receipts
• Preparation and filing of the Monthly Report Form
• Correspondence with ACBL on club game matters
• Application for sanction renewals and reporting any change of club managers or session changes on a form provided by ACBL. The signatures of both club manager and owner (proprietary club), or club manager and president or secretary (membership or sponsored club) must be on the form when it is filed.

B. IDENTIFICATION NUMBERS

CLUB IDENTIFICATION NUMBER: Each club holding ACBL sanctioned games receives an identification number, which should be included on all correspondence with ACBL.

GAME SESSION NUMBER: For ease of identification, especially in filling out the Monthly Report Form, all game sessions are assigned identifying numbers as shown in Table 4.1:

GAME SESSION IDENTIFICATION NUMBERS

Games that start prior to noon are morning games; games that start from noon to but not including 6:00 p.m. are afternoon games; and games that start from 6:00 p.m. to but not including midnight are evening games.

C. CLUB OWNERSHIP OR SPONSORSHIP

PROPRIETARY CLUB: The club manager and the club owner(s) of a proprietary club (a club owned by one or more individuals) must sign the sanction application.

SPONSORED CLUB: For a sponsored club (one that has a governing body such as a board of directors), the club manager and either the president or the secretary of the club must sign the sanction application. For a club that is sponsored by a non-bridge related organization (such as a private company or industry, a government agency, a YMCA, or a country club), the club manager and an official of the sponsoring organization (for example, the director of recreation, the building manager, or the program director) must sign the sanction application.

D. SANCTION RENEWAL

In September, ACBL sends every club holding ACBL sanctioned masterpoint games a renewal application. The application lists all information on record with ACBL concerning the club's operation except the names of the owners. The club should indicate corrections, additions, or changes on the renewal application. The club should then return the application form to ACBL headquarters with the appropriate fees. Noted changes become effective January 1 of the year for which the sanction is granted, unless otherwise noted and approved. Renewals for sponsored club games must have the signatures of the club manager and the president or secretary. If ACBL does not receive an application for sanction renewal before January 31 of the new year, the sanction will be canceled.

E. ARBITRATION AGREEMENT

An application for an ACBL club game sanction will not be accepted until the club manager or responsible party signs the following arbitration agreement: SHOULD ANY DISPUTE, OF WHATEVER KIND OR NATURE, ARISE BETWEEN ACBL, OTHER CLUBS, UNITS OR DISTRICTS AND THE UNDERSIGNED CLUB, IT IS AGREED THAT SUCH DISPUTE SHALL BE RESOLVED BY BINDING ARBITRATION PURSUANT TO THE RULES OF THE AMERICAN ARBITRATION ASSOCIATION OR OTHER METHOD OF BINDING ARBITRATION AS MAY BE AGREED UPON MUTUALLY BY THE PARTIES.

F. MONTHLY REPORT FORM

ACBL sends a year's supply of Monthly Report Forms (SEE pages 51 & 52.) to the club manager on approval of the sanction renewal for clubs not using ACBLscore. The club must file the report for each month by the tenth of the following month and must include the appropriate remittance. If a club's monthly report(s), with fees, is not received on time, a late fee will be assessed.

G. SUSPENSION OF SANCTION

SUMMARY SUSPENSION BY MANAGEMENT: ACBL management has the right to cancel a club game sanction summarily for refusal to comply with ACBL regulations or with management's interpretation of those regulations. The club may appeal such a cancellation to the ACBL Board of Directors but must suspend operations pending the hearing of the appeal.

SUSPENSION BY THE UNIT: The unit, by committee or the unit board, may hold a hearing and recommend to ACBL that a club game sanction be canceled for violation of ACBL rules and/or regulations during ACBL sanctioned games. If ACBL follows such a recommendation, the club holding the game so canceled may appeal to the district organization. Pending the outcome of the appeal to the district, the club may continue to operate. Appeals from district recommendations are appealable to the ACBL Board of Directors.

SECTION TWO: TYPES OF CLUB MASTERPOINT GAMES

There are four types of regular club games: open, invitational/restricted, newcomer, and Bridge Plus. One or more types of games may be listed on a single sanction.

For ease of identification, especially in filling out monthly reports, these games are assigned classes as follows:

I. OPEN GAME

This game is open to all ACBL members. Prohibiting or allowing non-members of ACBL to play does not affect open game status.

In an open game a club may not bar players because of their bridge proficiency, religious or political affiliations, sexual orientation, race or national origin, nor may it prohibit partnership formation because of the skill of the pair. The club may not place the majority of strong pairs in one direction, nor may it otherwise segregate entries into strong and weak groups. (SEE CHAPTER 4, Section Three-IV.B.)

A. ALLOWABLE MASTERPOINT RESTRICTIONS

In an open game a club may stipulate that each participant hold a minimum number of masterpoints but cannot stipulate a maximum. For example, an open game could specify that all players must have no fewer than 20 masterpoints but could not refuse entry to a Life Master.

B. ALLOWABLE RESTRICTION OF CONVENTIONS

Club managers may regulate conventions in games conducted at their clubs. A complete list of conventions that may be used for club play is shown on the ACBL General Convention Chart/SuperChart. (SEE Appendix A; additional copies may be purchased from the ACBL Sales Department.)

C. OPEN GAMES IN CLUBS WITH MEMBERSHIP FEES

A club that charges a membership fee may conduct an open game, but the game must be open to all ACBL members, whether or not they are members of the club. However, the club may allow its own members to play at a reduced fee.

The entry fee for a non-member may be as much as 50% more than a member's entry fee. However, if the member entry fee is less than $1.00, a surcharge of $.50 for non-members is permissible.

D. NUMBER OF BOARDS

An open pair game must have a minimum of two-and-one-half tables. A two-table individual with a one-winner movement or a two-table team game (.01 masterpoints per board played, match awards only) is allowed. In any open club game every contestant must play AT LEAST 18 boards to receive full masterpoint awards.

Sanctioned clubs may hold shortened regular open games (not to include any special games awarding extra masterpoints) with a minimum number of boards played of 12. Masterpoints will be awarded at 80% of the award for open games. Sanction fees are reduced for games of 12-17 boards (see Appendix G).

II. INVITATIONAL/RESTRICTED GAME

An invitational game is one that limits or places restrictions on who can participate in its events. Participation commonly is limited to:

• Members and guests of the organization that holds the sanction (such as a country club or a fraternal organization)
• Personnel (and their families and guests) of industries that are currently participating in commercial and industrial leagues
• Players who hold fewer than a stipulated number of masterpoints (when the maximum permitted is fewer than 20, the game is defined as a newcomer game)
• Sections or directions segregated according to strong and weak pairs
• Strong players forbidden to play as partners
• Husbands and wives only
• Life Masters excluded or required to play with non-Life Masters
• Members of one sex only

Eligibility may be restricted for any reason except those that violate ACBL bylaws.

An invitational/restricted game may have no fewer than two-and-one-half tables (except in the case of a two-table individual with a one-winner movement), and every contestant must play AT LEAST 18 boards.

III. NEWCOMER GAMES

A newcomer game is limited to players who hold fewer than 20 masterpoints, although a club can set a lower maximum, such as 1 masterpoint, if it so desires.

A newcomer game is conducted to acquaint new players with duplicate bridge and to encourage participation by inexperienced players.

A newcomer game must consist of at least two and one-half tables. However, there are masterpoint awards for two-table newcomer games conducted as individuals or team games. AT LEAST 10 BOARDS MUST BE PLAYED.

Any club with a sanctioned game may conduct a newcomer game session. The game session may be run any time, even if another regular club game session is running concurrently. However, the club must list the newcomer game session on the sanction application and the monthly report.

ACBL recognizes that some relatively skilled players, through failure to register their club masterpoints, retain masterpoint eligibility to participate in newcomer events inappropriate to their skill and/or experience. When the director or club management determines that the ability of a player is vastly superior to that of the other newcomer game participants, the club may refuse entry of that player in its newcomer events. In such a case, the director should advise the player, as diplomatically as possible, that he or she is too proficient to play in the newcomer game. The director should encourage the player instead to participate in the club's games with a higher masterpoint limitation or the open games.

A. PLAYERS WITH 20 OR MORE MASTERPOINTS

Subject to specified conditions, a club may allow one or two players who hold 20 or more masterpoints to play in a newcomer game. This would be the case when there is a single newcomer player available whose participation would eliminate a half-table movement. For example, if there were 13 pairs plus one single, there would be a 6¹/₂ - table game which, by adding a player, would become seven tables. In this instance, the club may allow one non-newcomer to play. In addition, when there is an odd number of newcomer pairs entered, resulting in a half-table movement, the club may allow two non-newcomer players to participate if each plays with a newcomer partner and if a Mitchell-type movement is used; that is, the two newcomer/non-newcomer pairs sit in opposite directions. These pairs are ineligible for masterpoint awards from the newcomer event. In no case may the two non-newcomer players play as partners.

A partnership, including one with a fill-in player (non-newcomer), may use only the conventions the club allows for that game.

B. LOSS OF RANKING

Pairs in which one partner is a non-newcomer will not receive masterpoints and will not be ranked. For example, if an ineligible pair earns sufficient matchpoints to have finished second, that pair is not ranked. Instead, the third-place pair is ranked second and receives the second place masterpoint awards. In such a case, all lower-ranked pairs move up one rank, accordingly.

C. TABLE TOTALS

Ineligible pairs count in table totals. For example, ACBL considers as a three-table game one that consists of four pairs of newcomers and two other pairs, each of which is made up of one newcomer and one non-newcomer, even though the two mixed (non-newcomer and newcomer) pairs are ineligible for masterpoint awards.

D. THREE-MEMBER PAIRS

At the discretion of club management, three-member pairs may participate in newcomer games. The club will apportion earned masterpoints among the three players in a ratio that approximates the number of boards each played. For example, a pair consisting of newcomer players A, B, and C finishes first in a newcomer game where each member of a two-member pair is entitled to .40 masterpoints, or .80 masterpoints for the pair. In this three-member pair, however, A, B, and C split .80 masterpoints according to the number of boards each played.

IV. SPECIAL GAMES

In addition to regular games, ACBL designs special programs to stimulate bridge activity. If the sanctioned activities listed below do not meet the requirements of a group or organization, ACBL may be able to prepare a special program that does. Anyone interested may contact the ACBL Club Membership Department.

A. ACBL INTRODUCTORY GAMES

A club may conduct ACBL introductory games without first obtaining sanctions, but the games must have ACBL approval. The purpose of these games is to acquaint members of nonaffiliated groups or organizations with duplicate bridge and the American Contract Bridge League.

Bridge teachers, club managers, or enthusiastic individual members are usually the ones who organize introductory games. Groups, such as luncheon clubs, religious organizations, or industries interested in the social or promotional possibilities of these games often sponsor them.

The individuals who direct these games should have reasonable qualifications. The director usually issues club masterpoint certificates, which are available from the ACBL Club Membership Department. (SEE CHAPTER 4, Section Four-II.A.)

Each game must have at least three tables, and each player must complete at least 10 boards.

B. HANDICAP GAMES

Handicapping of regularly sanctioned club games can encourage players with limited experience to attend the games by giving them more opportunity to win club masterpoints. Stronger players also may be freshly challenged by having to play better in order to win.

When a club holds a handicap game, it must be held during one of the club's regularly scheduled sanctioned games. The game may be organized in any of the following ways:

• Creating a new game at a time different from that of existing games (with the expectation of drawing players not now engaging in duplicate play).
• Converting one session per week from an existing game to a handicap game.
• Converting an existing game to a handicap game for half of its sessions (for example, every other week there could be a handicap game).
• Where the clientele is large enough, converting a section of play to handicap format, keeping one section as regular duplicate bridge.
• Creating a bridge team league in which all players have handicaps for a round-robin season.
• Conducting Swiss team sessions at specified times with the teams handicapped.

Clubs may establish handicaps by averaging a player's previous performances in comparable club game sessions or by considering the player's ACBL rank.

To establish handicaps for existing clientele, directors should use past recap sheets from recent game sessions. For example, to compute each participant's percent of possible score for the last three games in which each took part, the player's matchpoint score would be divided by the maximum possible score, then a percentage average would be computed. The average is the sum of the three percentages divided by three. The handicap percentage would be determined by subtracting the average from 0.650 (par) and multiplying the result by 0.80 (or 0.90). This method would provide the player with a handicap of 80 or 90% of the difference between their "average" and a stated par of 65%.

A sample handicap determination follows: Scores were 0.510, 0.537, and 0.610, for a total of 1.657. Dividing the total by 3 yields an average 0.552. Then, subtracting 0.552 from 0.650 yields 0.098, which, multiplied by 0.90 equals a handicap of 0.088, or 8.8%.

To arrive at the handicap for a pair, the handicaps of both players are added together and divided by two. While the game is being played, the percentage handicap for each pair is converted to handicap matchpoints. This is accomplished by multiplying the percentage handicap by the possible matchpoints (for example, 156 average equals 312 possible). The handicap matchpoints for each pair are posted in a column in which they can be added easily to the raw score matchpoints. The after-game calculations are merely a matter of adding two matchpoint totals together. A sample calculation follows. Percent handicap times possible matchpoints equals the matchpoint handicap, which is to be added to raw score.

This calculation may be eased by subtracting the lowest matchpoint handicap from all the others. Thus the pair with the lowest handicap has nothing added to their raw score, and the other matchpoint handicaps are reduced appropriately. As an example, if the lowest handicap in the field is 15 matchpoints, subtract 15 from each pair's calculated total.

When a contestant has not played in three previous games, the club director may use any of the following options:

• Explain that the player cannot use a handicap until he or she completes three games at the club.
• Establish the handicap based on only one game (at the conclusion of that game, or at the conclusion of two or three games).
• Base the handicap for the first game on the player's rank. (SEE Table 4.2.) For non-members, ACBL suggests that the handicap shown on the chart for the Club Master category be arbitrarily assigned.

There are two methods of awarding masterpoints: split masterpoint awards or 100% awards for scratch winners and 50% awards for handicap winners. In the split masterpoint method there are two winner categories, or fields: raw score and handicap score. The first-place award in each field will be one-half of what it would be normally (maximum in each field for first place will be 0.75 club masterpoints). Players placing in both fields (which is what often happens) receive the total of the two awards added together.

In the other method the scratch winners receive 100% awards while the handicap winners receive 50% awards. Players receive the higher of the awards but not both.

ACBL suggests that club masterpoint receipts be marked with an "H" to indicate handicap place of finish and with an "R" to indicate raw score place of finish.

The club should indicate on its Monthly Report Form and on the club masterpoint receipts those games that are handicap games.

Handicaps based on rank are easier to administer and maintain than any other form of handicapping. Using the rank format, each member's handicap is added to that of his or her partner to determine the size of the handicap. One board equals the maximum matchpoints possible on a board. For example, a Junior Master (1 1/4 boards) playing with a Sectional Master (3/4 board) would have a handicap equal to two boards.

For further information about handicapped games, the pamphlet "HANDICAPS" is available from the ACBL Club Membership Department.

C. STRATIFIED PAIRS

A stratified pair game is one that produces more than one set of winners. All pairs are ranked in the top stratum; the pairs in the top stratum are eliminated in determining the ranks in Stratum B; both A and B pairs are eliminated in determining the ranks in Stratum C. It is possible for Stratum B and C pairs to place in the higher strata, but Stratum A pairs are eligible for A awards only; and Stratum B pairs are eligible for A and B awards only. The stratum in which a pair plays is determined by the player who has the most masterpoints.

Stratified pair games may be conducted with two or three strata. The lowest stratum may have any upper masterpoint limitation suitable for the club. The lowest stratum must have at least five pairs for overall awards to be issued and at least three pairs in a comparison group for section awards to be issued. There should be approximately the same number of pairs sitting N/S and E/W in each stratum, so that the section awards will be equal.

The game is first scored on the total number of tables in play, and masterpoints are computed from the Open/Invitational point award chart. Awards for the second stratum include tables in the remainder of the game (all but the top stratum) and are computed from the appropriate point award chart.

In a Newcomer stratum (0 to 20 masterpoints), only tables in this stratum receive masterpoints, from the newcomer award chart.

The club issues masterpoints to each player based on the place of finish. If the player places in more than one stratum, the player receives the higher of the two awards, not both.

For further information about stratified games, the pamphlet "STRATIFYING YOUR CLUB GAME" is available from the ACBL Club Membership Department.

D. HOME STYLE

The purpose of the home style bridge concept is to attract primarily the non-duplicate bridge playing public to ACBL clubs. Home style bridge is an easy-to-run, fun game. Since cards are shuffled and dealt for each hand, social and rubber bridge players adapt to it easily.

The Swiss pairs format is the most popular among the clubs that have tried this program. Pairs are each assigned a different number and are seated at random for the first round. Players cut for the deal and, in most movements, play four deals per round. At the end of the round they total their scores and report the point difference (either plus or minus) to the game director. The game director converts the score to victory points. (SEE CHAPTER 4, Section Seven-I.B.2.) and records this figure on the recap sheet. Starting with the two highest victory point totals, the director assigns the seating for the next round so that pairs with the closest scores play against each other. The same procedure is used for all succeeding rounds. A record of the pair assignments for each round must be kept by the director so that pairs play against each other only once in the same session. After all the players receive their seating assignments, the next round begins.

Overall and match awards are issued for this type of contest. Match awards are based on total score before conversion to victory points. In the case of a tie, each pair receives one-half of the match award.

Match awards, which are based on the number of boards played in the match and the classification of the club, may be found in the Masterpoint Award Charts located at the end of this chapter.

Open clubs issue .04 club masterpoints to the winners of each four-board match, and invitational/newcomer clubs award .03 club masterpoints for each four-board match. Overall rank is based on the total victory points won in a complete session of play. Players receive either the overall award or the total of the match awards, whichever is greater. For overall masterpoint awards, refer to the charts at the end of this chapter. These games earn the same overall masterpoint awards as any other regularly sanctioned club game; that is, awards are based on the type of club (open, invitational/ restricted, or newcomer).

When issuing club masterpoint certificates for these games, the letters H.S. should be printed to the left of the box in which the amount of the award is written.

Home style bridge may be used in club games only. It may be used in club championships and charity club championships but not for ACBL-wide events, district-wide events, or any other special events. Clubs must apply to the ACBL Club Membership Department to conduct home style bridge games that will issue masterpoints. The Alert procedure and skip bid warning are not encouraged for this type of event.

Regular convention cards should not be used for home style games. An inexpensive, specially designed home style convention card is available from ACBL.

E. COLLEGE PROGRAM

ACBL offers a plan for duplicate bridge activity on college campuses. On request, the ACBL Education Department will send an information packet and a sanction application to any student or faculty member who is interested in operating a sanctioned bridge game on any campus within ACBL jurisdiction. The sanction application should be completed in accordance with the regulations listed below and returned to the ACBL Education Department.

• Games are to be open to students, faculty members, and their spouses only.
• No matter how many times a year a game is scheduled, an annual fee for each game session must accompany the application. The sanction year runs from January 1 through December 31.
• The college game is not required to operate on a regular schedule. The day of the week may be changed if the change does not interfere with the schedule of an existing open club on the campus.
• The game will be allotted one session with club championship rating for every 12 regular sessions played.
• The college game is rated as an invitational game.
• Each game must submit a Monthly Report of all game activity that occurred during the preceding month. Report forms are sent along with sanction approval. The Monthly Report must be mailed to ACBL no later than the 10th of the month following the month in which the reported games were played.
• A fee for each game plus a fee for each table must be sent with the report form.
• A faculty adviser must co-sign the sanction application and must agree to serve as the official ACBL contact.

F. EASYBRIDGE!

Easybridge! is a program and series of books designed to develop newcomer game(s) in the clubs. Contact Marti Ronemus at 1-717-699-5222 for more information.

G. HIGH SCHOOL GAMES

A high school interested in adopting a program similar to that offered to a college should write to the ACBL Education Department for more information.

H. PUPIL GAMES

A bridge teacher may apply for a special sanction to conduct a pupil game. ACBL will issue the sanction free of charge if: (1) the applicant is an ACBL member, (2) the game is restricted to bona fide students of the sanction holder, (3) the lessons run for a minimum of 45 minutes, and (4) at least nine boards are to be played. A minimum of at least eight participating students is required. If there are only two tables, the game must be run as a team event, individual event, or Swiss pair game.

The game may be sanctioned as a regularly scheduled session or periodically, subject to ACBL regulations. The sessions may be run at different times and places from the lessons. A monthly report form is not required for pupil games, and there are no session or table fees.

The teacher who runs the game need not be an ACBL club director. The interests of both the teacher and the pupils are advanced substantially, however, if the teacher has such a rating.

I. BRIDGE PLUS

These games provide a transition from ACBL beginning bridge classes to newcomer games conducted at ACBL-sanctioned games. They are operated by ACBL accredited teachers. Players are encouraged to ask the teachers for advice on bidding and playing the hands.

A sanction is required to conduct an ACBL Bridge Plus game. Bridge Plus sanctions are issued free of session fees if all of the following conditions are met:

• The applicant must be an ACBL accredited teacher or a club manager in conjunction with an ACBL accredited teacher, but only the teacher is authorized to run the game.
• Only bona fide students with fewer than 5 masterpoints may participate in the game.
• The game must consist of 10 to 14 boards.
• The game must be sanctioned for weekly operation and should be run for no fewer than two hours and no more than two-and-one-half hours.
• Monthly Report must be sent to ACBL by the tenth of the month following the month in which the game was held, and the reports must show the dates the games were held and the number of tables in play. Per table and per game fees must accompany the reports. The ACBL Club Membership Department provides the blank Monthly Report Forms.

If an accredited teacher is not able to meet all the above conditions, he or she may conduct a cost-free sanctioned pupil game.

ACBL recommends (but does not make mandatory) the provision of a non- smoking environment in a separate room in which there are no other games being conducted.

Club masterpoint certificate pads are available to the sanction holder, and only the club manager or co-manager can issue the masterpoints. A minimum of 0.10 masterpoints will be awarded to the winners of three-table games.

The teacher who runs the game need not be a club director, although ACBL encourages teachers to have this rating. The teacher/director resolves all irregularities.

At the teacher's discretion, beginning bridge players with whom he or she is acquainted or friends of the students may play in Bridge Plus games.

The teacher may use pre-dealt hands each week. A set of newcomer hands can be purchased from the ACBL Sales Department.

J. CRUISE SHIPS

The ACBL sanctions duplicate games as part of the social program aboard cruise ships. Any ship that conducts sanctioned bridge games must pay an annual sanction fee. This fee permits the ship to conduct sanctioned games on all its cruises for the entire year. A letter of permission from the cruise line authorizing a director to conduct a bridge program on the ship for a calendar year must accompany the sanction application. The ACBL provides a free supply of club masterpoint reports and receipts.

The ACBL will sanction games on a ship for a single cruise that does not exceed 14 days, charging a sanction fee. There is one sanction fee for cruises of one to seven days and a larger sanction fee for cruises of eight to thirty days (see Appendix G). Whoever receives sanctions for cruise ships is expected, within the constraints placed upon them by the cruise lines, to actively promote ACBL for the purpose of recruiting new members.

ACBL defines the duration of a cruise as the period from the time the ship leaves the port of embarkation until it either returns to that port or terminates the advertised cruise at a different port. A 40-day cruise to the Orient, for example, is a single cruise, even though it may involve 18 days going, 4 days in port, and 18 days returning.

Cruise ships need not hold club masterpoint games at regularly scheduled intervals. Since the games are part of the social activity, they must suit the convenience of the players. The technical operation of the games must follow the regulations set forth for most sanctioned club games, with the following exceptions:

• There are no table and session fees, and the director of the sanctioned cruise game does not have to submit a Monthly Report form.
• Masterpoint awards are 50% of the award for an open club game. Directors also may hold Newcomer games if warranted.
• ACBL regulations require that these games have a club or higher rated director.
• There is no requirement that a specific number of boards be played during a session. Masterpoint awards for such events are the same as they are for a complete game.

  As a supplement to the cruise games authorized, cruise championships may be scheduled in accordance with the following regulations:

• A limit of one cruise championship event of each kind every 14 days may be held during the cruise. The event may be of one or two sessions. Typical cruise championship events are open pairs, men's and women's pairs, mixed pairs, and individuals.
• Masterpoint awards for cruise championships are 50% of an open game championship. Players who earn masterpoints in a cruise game receive their points from ACBL.

Directors or managers on cruise ships need not pay the per table session fees, but must submit club masterpoint reports to ACBL at the end of the cruise.

K. LAND CRUISES

The sanction fees for land cruises are the same as they are for ship cruises. The only difference is that the "cruise" is held on land. Land cruises that operate at a single site in an ACBL country for more than 14 days will be sanctioned as a club game and report as one. All other land cruises held in an ACBL country that are open to all ACBL members will be able to award masterpoints at full open club value. ACBL would consider, for example, a sanctioned bridge game held over a weekend at a vacation resort as a single land cruise.

L. SANCTIONED ONLINE COMPUTER GAMES

Masterpoints can now be awarded in online computer bridge games. The recognition of these points will be in the form of a new type of masterpoint and they will have no pigmentation. No more than 1/3 of the masterpoints needed to achieve established ACBL status levels can be from online play. Thus, no more than 100 of the required 300 masterpoints for Life Master may come from online play. The total number of masterpoints available to be awarded in an online club game will be the same as in a comparably sized face-to-face game.

Computer networks must meet specific criteria including but not limited to: ease of use, clarity of presentation, availability of rated director online, ability to enroll ACBL members online, ability to transfer masterpoint information to ACBL electronically, the ability to provide concise achievement records, and provide a mechanism for their player to file complaints about ethical violations to the network and for the network to forward the investigation results to the ACBL Recorder.

M. CLUB APPRECIATION MONTH

October is designated as ACBL club appreciation month. Sanction fees will be the same as for a regular club game. A club may hold one game per sanctioned session.

N. PENAL INSTITUTIONS

ACBL will sanction games in penal institutions in North America. These games must be run by a club or higher rated director.

Upon application, ACBL may choose to assist with the supply of boards, cards, instructional material and direction. ACBL may also substantially reduce or eliminate charges to clubs in prisons or mental institutions.

V. GAME MOVEMENTS

A movement is the method of progression during the game, indicating the seat to be occupied and the boards to be played by each player at each round. (For further information on movements, please contact the ACBL Club Membership Department.)

A. PAIR MOVEMENTS

A club may conduct pair games of any legal size (two and one-half or more tables) using either Howell or Mitchell movements When 14 or more tables are in play, it is permissible to split the game into two sections, with each section containing at least seven tables. (Duplicated boards are desirable but not mandatory.)

The most commonly used pair movements are:

MITCHELL: This movement keeps the pairs in two groups, N-S and E-W, with the aim of having all N-S pairs meeting all E-W pairs and playing all the boards. Typically the boards move one table lower and the players one table higher each round. There is a winner for each section for both the N-S and E-W pairs with the highest score.

HOWELL: This movement produces one winner from a field in which all pairs play each of the boards in play, with comparison in direct competition with other pairs on approximately half of the boards, and adverse comparison on the other boards.

B. INDIVIDUAL MOVEMENTS

A club may run individual games (two or more tables) with either Rainbow or Shomate movements:

RAINBOW: This is a movement in which contestants are divided into groups corresponding to their original starting directions, with separate instructions for progressing to each group.

SHOMATE: This movement (also called an irregular rainbow) does not keep the players in a particular group, thus allowing comparison across the field.

C. TEAM MOVEMENTS

A board-a-match team game can be run with a regular board-a-match movement, a Mirror movement, or any other approved movement.

(SEE CHAPTER 4, Section Seven for information on team events and team movements.)

SECTION THREE: GENERAL CLUB GAME REGULATIONS

I. MASTERPOINTS

The sanctioned duplicate game awards masterpoints to approximately 40% of the contestants in each session. The number of masterpoints the game awards depends on the number of tables in play and the conditions under which the club conducts the game. The club must send to ACBL a monthly Club Masterpoint Report and ACBL issues these points directly to the player. A club's failure to issue the certificates or submit the report can result in the suspension or loss of its sanction(s).

Masterpoints won in club games are as important as those won in any type of tournament. All masterpoints carry about the same weight in the ACBL ranking system.

The level of competition of events in which masterpoints are won is denoted by four color and one colorless variations: black, silver, red, and gold.

A. NET POINTS

Netpoints are awarded for online play and are colorless.

B. BLACK POINTS

Masterpoints won in events not qualifying for red, silver, or gold are black points. Sanctioned club games and Unit games award black points.

C. SILVER POINTS

Silver points are awarded for events at sectional tournaments, including newcomer games and side events. Progressive Sectionals and Sectional Tournaments at Clubs also award silver points. (SEE Chapter 6.)

D. RED POINTS

Regional tournaments and regional events at NABCs award red points except for overall and section tops. (SEE Gold Points below.) Grand National Teams (GNT) EVENTS and North American Pairs (NAP) events afford players the opportunity to earn red points at their local clubs. (SEE Chapter 6.)

E. GOLD POINTS

Gold points are awarded for overall placings and section tops in regional and NABC events where the top masterpoint limit is at least 750. Gold points may be given for special games, such as the Instant Matchpoint Game, Grand National Team and North American Pair events. (SEE Chapter 6.)

F. PLATINUM POINTS

Platinum points are awarded for NABC+ events and included the national-rated senior and women's events with no upper masterpoint limit but not the junior, flight B, or other restricted events.

II. INCENTIVE PROGRAMS FOR CLUBS

A. NEW MEMBER RECRUITMENT

Clubs can earn an upgraded club championship (sectional-rated black points) by recruiting 10 new members. The 10 new members need not be recruited within any specific time period (for example, you could recruit three new members in 1996, four in 1997 and three more in 1998). The club manager will be notified when the club has recruited 10 new members and will be sent a notification or report form for this game. Payment will be made on the Monthly Report at the same rate as regular club games. Points will be issued by ACBL.

A maximum of two upgraded club championship games per session may be held in one calendar year.

B. NEWCOMER GAME INCENTIVES

Clubs holding newcomer games (an upper masterpoint limit of not more than 20) at the same time as an open, invitational or restricted game may include the newcomer game tables when computing awards for the open, masterpoint-restricted or invitational game.

If a club chooses to run a flighted game, tables in any restricted sections count toward club masterpoint awards for any unrestricted section in play at that club during that session, (subject to the usual restriction for a rating point game, that the maximum awarded shall be 1.50). If there are two or more unrestricted sections, they shall share the credit for any other tables equally.

C. CLUB HIGHLIGHTS

ACBL is always interested in passing along helpful hints on club operations. If you have a program you believe would be useful for other clubs, send the idea(s) to us and we will consider publishing it in The Bridge Bulletin.

D. REDUCED PRICE MEMBERSHIPS AND RATES

Club officials can offer a reduced price one-year membership to new members. If an applicant is found to have been a member previously, the membership fee will be pro-rated.

Club officials submitting the application and fee will be eligible for a $50 gift certificate for the ACBL store. This is earned for every 25 new members recruited by the club official in a calendar year. In addition, a $500 gift certificate will be earned for every 100 members recruited (with no annual restriction). Only club officials submitting their Social Security number or Tax Identification Number with the application will be eligible for rebates and certificates.

E. Cooperative Advertising Program

ACBL will subsidize teachers, clubs and units who wish to use advertising to recruit students for bridge lessons or to promote the game. This subsidy will be 50% of the cost of the advertising program up to a maximum of $250 per program per calendar year. Eligible media are radio, television, newspapers, magazines, direct mail, outdoor, yellow pages, flyers, handbills and statement stuffers. Contact the ACBL Marketing department for further information.

III. GAME DIRECTOR

The person who actually conducts the games in a club is the director. The director can be the club owner, the club manager, an employee of the club, or an independent director hired for the sole purpose of directing the game. It is advantageous to a club to have a director who is known and respected by the patrons.

All club games must be directed by Club or higher-rated directors. ACBL regulations permit the use of a different director for every session.

A. CLUB DIRECTOR

To become a Club director one must pass a written examination. A prospective director who wishes to take the examination must contact ACBL. ACBL then sends the examination to an appointed monitor for administration. To take the examination, the examinee must pay a fee to the monitor. The monitor retains a portion of the fee and sends the remainder to ACBL along with the completed examination.

While taking the test, the examinee may use any written material available. Examinees should have the LAWS OF DUPLICATE CONTRACT BRIDGE, the ACBL HANDBOOK OF RULES AND REGULATIONS, and a good director's manual at hand during the examination. Study packets are available through the ACBL Sales Department. You may order and charge these on your credit card by calling 1-800-264-2743.

On completion, the monitor returns the test to the ACBL Club Membership Department for grading. Please allow at least 14 days for grading the examination. ACBL sends cards to those who pass the examination. Applicants failing the exam are notified by letter of areas to study to prepare for retaking the exam.

B. NON-PLAYING DIRECTOR

It is preferable for a game to have a non-playing director. A non-playing director can give more objective rulings concerning disputes and infractions of bridge laws and regulations than one who is personally involved in the session. Even when no rulings are called for, the non-playing director can give more attention to maintaining the quality of the game. Some special games require a non-playing Club or higher-rated director.

Non-playing directors are encouraged, but not required for games having not more than one section of 17 tables or less for the following special events held at clubs: ACBL-wide International Fund Games, ACBL-wide Charity Games, Junior Fund Games, Club Appreciation Games, Senior Pairs, World-wide Pairs, Instant Matchpoint Game, Membership Games, NABC Fund Raisers, Canadian Olympiad, COPC, CNTC, NAOP Club and Unit qualifying stages, 49er Pairs and GNT Club and Unit qualifying stages, Unit Championships, and Unit Charity Championships.

IV. OPERATION OF CLUB GAMES

ACBL grants a club game sanction on the condition that the club conduct all game sessions in full compliance with ACBL regulations. These regulations help maintain the technical level of all games and ensure that masterpoints are issued under approximately equal conditions everywhere. To retain a sanction, the sanction holder and the club manager must observe both the letter and the spirit of ACBL regulations. However, the regulations that follow are not meant to be restrictive. Within the limits they establish, there is ample room for the development of innovative, imaginative programs and services for club patrons.

A. SYSTEMS AND CONVENTIONS

ACBL retains the right to approve or disapprove any bidding or defensive carding (lead or discard signal) convention for general use in ACBL-sanctioned games. In exercising this right, ACBL has established convention charts that list conventions permitted in games having varying degrees of difficulty. (SEE Appendix A.)

A club manager can bar or allow specific conventions and can bar certain conventions in newcomer games but allow them in open games. The types of events for which this applies are club masterpoint games, club championships, club charity events, ACBL-wide events, unit championships, unit charity events, district charity events, and the first level of play in the North American Pairs event. The Alert procedure and the skip bid announcement are procedures used in tournaments and are optional (and strongly encouraged) in club games.

When masterpoints are awarded for overall positions in several locations, such as unit-wide games, STaCs, etc., all conventions in the ACBL General Convention Chart must be allowed unless the conditions of contest specify otherwise. Use of the Alert procedure is mandatory, and the rules that govern skip bid announcements are applicable.

Occasionally special games, such as the GNT event, may be held in clubs. In such a case the club manager must check the conditions of contest to be sure to conduct the game in conformity with the rules.

ACBL recommends that clubs which are inclined to permit patrons to test new or little known conventions or systems restrict such testing to one of several scheduled game sessions. If experience indicates that the majority of the club players welcome this policy, it can be extended easily to other sessions. In any case, players must have the approval of the director before using any convention not specifically authorized. ACBL recommends that each club post a list of approved conventions in a conspicuous place on its premises.

B. SEEDING

Seeding means specifically seating strong pairs (or weak pairs) in a manner relative to the movement, so that every contestant plays against a group of opponents of approximately the same strength. In a one-section event, both directions should be balanced. In a multi-section event, all fields should be balanced. In two-session events, the balance should be maintained for both sessions.

If there is an active effort to seat all strong pairs in one direction and the weak pairs in the other, the session must be classified as an invitational/restricted game. Further, if all strong pairs are seated in one section and all weak pairs in another, the strong section qualifies as open, and the other section becomes restricted/invitational.

Seeding is not mandatory for any regular masterpoint games. All seating may be random by luck of the draw or on a first-come, first-served basis.

C. MARGIN FOR RANKING FINISHERS

Score adjustments, carryovers and raw scores will be rounded to two decimal places, with .01 constituting a margin of separation for ranking and masterpoints. Any margin between contestants will be sufficient separation for purposes of qualification.

D. CASH PRIZES

Many clubs consider the club masterpoints awarded to winners as sufficient prizes. However, some clubs award free plays to future club events to winning players. A few clubs award suitable prizes such as ACBL Bridge Bucks, trophies, or cash. When masterpoints are awarded, cash prizes are not subject to any restrictions.

E. CANCELLATION OF A REGULAR GAME SESSION

Clubs must hold regularly sanctioned game sessions as provided on its approved application. A club may not change a regularly sanctioned game session to a different day or time, even temporarily, without prior ACBL approval.

A club may cancel a regularly scheduled game session because of:

• Unusual weather such as a snowstorm, hurricane, or tornado alert
• A conflict with a higher rated event (optional - not required)
• Holidays such as Memorial Day, Independence Day, Thanksgiving, New Year's Day, and Christmas and other religious holidays
• Not enough tables for a legal game
• In Canada, Mexico, and Bermuda, all statutory holidays, as well as local, provincial, and national holidays

There are no game or table fees for sessions canceled for an approved reason. The club must note the reason for a cancellation on the Monthly Report Form. A club may not make up canceled games.

F. CLUB RECORDS

The club must post recap sheets for each game no later than the next session of that game. Travelers, if used, must be available for player review through the next session of that game. The club must retain the game records for at least three months. For club championships, the club must retain the game records for at least six months. A club should retain game records or copies of the report for special events until the players receive the appropriate awards from ACBL.

G. CLUB DISCIPLINE

Club management should deal promptly and fairly with all cases of improper conduct that occur during an ACBL-sanctioned masterpoint game in the club, including cases of unethical practices. The club manager should either handle these situations personally or establish a standing committee to review all disciplinary problems. Clubs holding non-sanctioned games may deal with problems arising in these games as they see fit.

The club manager can handle many behavior problems by discussing them with the offenders, by issuing a warning, or declaring a period of probation. In extreme cases or cases of repeat offenses, the manager can bar the player from the club game for a stipulated period of time, or permanently.

To bar a player, club management must notify the player in writing and send a copy of the notification to the ACBL Club Membership Department. The notification must include the player's name and player number and the reason for the barring.

An open club can bar players from its regularly scheduled club masterpoint games, membership games, ACBL-wide games, club championships, charity and international fund club championships, and other special events specifically allocated to clubs as outlined above.

No open club may bar a player or players as a class, based upon the player's race, creed, religion, political affiliation, sexual orientation, national origin, physical handicap or on his proficiency at bridge.

Except as detailed in the previous paragraph, a club may bar a player for whatever reason it deems proper consistent with ACBL Rules and Regulations and the Laws of Duplicate Contract Bridge. An obnoxious or incompatible partnership may be barred as a pair, but each may be permitted to play with other partners.

If the player feels that his or her barring does not comply with these regulations prohibiting barring players as a class, religious or political affiliations, race, creed, sexual orientation, national origin, physical disability or proficiency at bridge, he or she may appeal the barring sequentially to the unit board, the district, and the ACBL Board of Directors. Until the appeal is lodged and heard, the player remains barred unless reinstated by the club.

A club may extend the barring of a player from Grand National Teams, North American Pair events, sectional tournaments at Clubs (STaC), qualifying session of a progressive sectional, unit or district competitions, such as unit championships, charity games, IMP games, and unit-or district-wide championships held at the club. In such cases, the written notice to the person barred must include the person's right to appeal the action (the extension of the barring) to the Unit Board in which the club is located within thirty days of the action taken by the club. Such written notice is required, otherwise the barring shall not be effective. The club may not impose partnership restrictions on such players for these events unless the unit, district or ACBL first imposes them.

Tact is necessary when notifying a player that he or she is barred from an open game. It is not necessary that the player be brought before a committee or be granted a public hearing. The player should be told privately by the club management and should be given the reason for the exclusion.

If the player feels that his or her barring does not comply with these regulations prohibiting barring players as a class, their religious or political affiliations, race, national origin, physical disability, or their bridge proficiency, he or she may appeal the barring sequentially to the unit board, the district, and the ACBL Board of Directors. Until the appeal is lodged and heard, the player remains barred unless reinstated by the club.

H. DISABLED ACBL MEMBERS

An ACBL-sanctioned club game should make every reasonable effort to enable a physically disabled member to participate. The overriding philosophy is to accommodate the handicapped individual as long as such accommodation does not unreasonably disadvantage a substantial portion of the other players affected. The club should allow such players to use special equipment, such as card holders, bidding boxes, special playing cards (contact ACBL Tournament Department for the approval policy for special playing cards), etc. The club should also accommodate such an individual when the handicap requires special seating such as a stationary position.

I. PARTICIPATION IN CLUB ACTIVITIES

To stimulate participation, a club may require that players participate in a specified number of previously held club masterpoint sessions to be eligible to play in its club championships. The participation requirement must be fully publicized in advance. A club may not impose participation requirements on events that have a sectional or higher rating; for example GNT, NAP, or ACBL-wide events. A club may not impose this requirement on events sanctioned to units, even though the games may be played in the club.

Visitors may be allowed to play in club championships without having met the participation requirement. The term visitor is defined by the governing body of the club and must be properly publicized.

V. OTHER CLUB INFORMATION

A. INFORMATION FOR TRAVELERS

ACBL members who intend to travel to other cities and want to play bridge in those locations can contact ACBL by telephone (901-332-5586 ext. 223) to get information for specific areas. There is also a listing (updated monthly) of bridge clubs on the ACBL home page on the internet <http://www.acbl.org>.

B. INSURANCE

Liability insurance is available for a fee to a club holding sanctioned games. Contact the ACBL Club Membership department for more information.

C. CLUB SUPPLIES AND DIRECTOR MANUALS

The ACBL Sales Department sells the supplies necessary for all types of tournaments and club games. A sales catalog is mailed each year to every club with their packet of supplies. Call 1-800-264-2743 (U.S.) or 1-800-264-8786 (Canada) for further information.

SECTION FOUR: CLUB MASTERPOINT AWARDS

The size or denomination of a masterpoint award is determined by a formula that takes into account the level of competition and the number of tables. The club manager or the manager's authorized designee sends monthly Club Masterpoint Reports to ACBL for members who have won masterpoint awards.

I. CALCULATING THE AWARDS

Section awards for all games (open, invitational, restricted and newcomer) are based on the number of pairs, teams or individuals in each group. For example, an 8-table Mitchell movement is two groups of 8 pairs. A 5-table Howell movement is one group of 10 pairs. In a Mitchell movement, a 1/2 table will be treated as though it were a full table. For example, 7 1/2 tables would be 8 pairs in each group while a 5 1/2 table Howell is 11 pairs in the comparison group. Depth of awards is 40% times the number of pairs in the comparison group, rounded to the nearest whole number with .5 rounded up. For overall awards 1/2 table is counted as a full table.

A. OPEN GAME AWARDS

Open games (SEE CHAPTER 4, Section Two-I.) award .10 MP per table for first place in each group. The second place award is 70% of 1st, third is 50% of 1st, fourth is 35%, fifth is 1/5 and sixth is 1/6, etc. This applies to all open sections for pair, and individual games. Maximum award is 1.50 masterpoints. (SEE Charts at the end of CHAPTER 4)

B. INVITATIONAL/RESTRICTED GAMES AWARDS

Invitational clubs (SEE CHAPTER 4, Section Two-II.) award .08 masterpoint per pair for first place in each group. Other placements are based on the same percentages as for Open clubs. The maximum award is 1.20 masterpoints.

The same awards are used for men's/women's, mixed, pro-am and senior games in both Open and Invitational clubs.

Awards for first place (per pair) in masterpoint restricted games are as follows:

Stratified pairs may be conducted with two or three strata. The lowest stratum may have any upper masterpoint limitation suitable for a club. The lowest stratum must have at least five pairs. (SEE Charts at the end of CHAPTER 4.)

C. NEWCOMER GAME AWARDS

First place section awards for Newcomer games per pair in each group are:

Other placements are based on the same percentages as for Open clubs. The maximum award is 1.00 masterpoint. (SEE Charts at the end of CHAPTER 4.)

D. BRIDGE PLUS GAME AWARDS

Award .03 per pair for first place. Other placements are based on the same percentages as for Open clubs. Maximum Award is .50 masterpoint. (SEE Charts at the end of CHAPTER 4.)

E. AWARDS FOR TIED POSITIONS

When two pairs tie for the same position, the appropriate individual masterpoint awards are determined by adding the masterpoints for that position and the next lower position; the members of each pair then receive half of that total. If three pairs tie for a position, the masterpoints for that position and the next two lower positions are added, and the members of each pair receive one-third of that total. In the unlikely event that four or more pairs tie for the same position, this mathematical procedure continues to the appropriate level to determine the masterpoint awards for the members of each pair.

When there is a two-way tie for the last position awarding masterpoints, the next lower award is calculated. This is added to the last place award, and the sum is divided between the two pairs.

F. OVERALL AWARDS FOR CLUB GAMES WITH TWO OR MORE SECTIONS

Club games with more than one section may issue overall awards comparing all the sections. Awards may not exceed 1.50 for Open clubs, 1.20 for Invitational clubs and 1.00 for Newcomer clubs. Second place would be 75% of first, third 75% of second, etc. through a maximum of six places. For example, for an open club:

PAIR AWARDS: Pairs receive their section awards or the overall award, whichever is greater, but not both. For example, a pair whose section award was 0.50 and whose overall award was 0.65 would be credited with 0.65 masterpoints.

HANDICAP GAMES: Pair and maximum award regulations also apply to handicap games. An exception would occur if a pair earns only a section award in the raw score computation and earns an overall award in the handicap score. In this case the two would be added together.

CLASS UNIFORMITY: Pair and maximum award regulations apply only when both sections are of the same class.

NUMBER OF POSITIONS: Overall awards may not exceed six positions.

G. SERIES GAMES FOR CLUBS

For Series games in clubs, four or more game sessions are required. The masterpoint bonus to the winning player shall equal .02 times the number of tables in play for all games in which he or she participated. This bonus cannot exceed 1.5 masterpoints for an open game or 1.2 masterpoints for an invitational game. Second place earns 75% of the award for first and third place earns 75% of the second-place award. Clubs may use their own methodology for determining winners. Examples are:

1. The number of masterpoints earned at the series games
2. The best percentage score for all series games
3. Award 4,3,2,1 for 1st through 4th place scores for each game and total such awards for the series to determine the winning individuals

The club manager may specify a minimum number of game sessions played to be eligible.

Clubs may wish to consider a proviso that eligibility requires participation with a minimum of two or more different partners.

H. BOARD-A-MATCH AND KNOCKOUT TEAMS

Awards for board-a-match teams are 110% of awards for pair games. Awards for knockout teams with three or more sessions can be found in the enclosed charts. All match awards should be issued from the match award charts. (SEE Charts at the end of CHAPTER 4.)

II. ISSUING THE AWARDS

ACBL issues all masterpoint awards to ACBL members. Clubs must report masterpoints won by its players on a monthly basis. Clubs using ACBLscore can report the masterpoints to ACBL electronically, while clubs not using ACBLscore must send their results to ACBL on the masterpoint report form.

Masterpoint receipts should be given to new players who are not members of ACBL and never have been, and to anyone else requesting them on a monthly basis.

A. COMPUTERIZED SCORING

For scoring club games and maintaining financial and masterpoint records, clubs (and units) can use ACBLscore, a software program available from the ACBL Club Membership Department. This program can score any type of pair, individual, or team movement and perform all the computations necessary for running a duplicate game. For example, ACBLscore can keep track of games, game sizes, and masterpoints won by an individuals over any period of time. It can print mailing labels and produce a report (printout or diskette) of all ACBL members who have won masterpoints in the club in any given month.

To use ACBLscore, a club must have an IBM-compatible computer with a hard drive and a minimum of 640k RAM and a track-feed printer.

B. NON-COMPUTERIZED SCORING

Clubs not using ACBLscore must track the masterpoints won by their players and report them to ACBL on a monthly basis. ACBL provides these clubs with masterpoint reporting forms and club masterpoint receipts.

SECTION FIVE: CLASSIFICATION OF PLAYERS

ACBL's masterpoint plan appeals to members because it permits members to know their approximate overall ranking relative to that of every other member. Although a complete listing of the large number of ACBL members is impractical, the honor titles that members earn as they achieve various plateaus of masterpoint holdings serve as close approximations of their overall standing. Lists of the top players in some categories and masterpoint races are published in THE BULLETIN each year.

I. HONOR TITLES

The honor titles and the masterpoints players must acquire to gain them are:

• ROOKIE - an ACBL member who has fewer than 5 full masterpoints recorded by the ACBL.
• JUNIOR MASTER - a member who has at least 5 but fewer than 20 masterpoints recorded by ACBL. A Junior Master is eligible for most newcomer events.
• CLUB MASTER - a member who has at least 20 but fewer than 50 masterpoints recorded by ACBL.
• SECTIONAL MASTER - a member who has at least 50 but fewer than 100 master-points recorded by ACBL, of which 5 must be silver.
• REGIONAL MASTER - a member who has at least 100 masterpoints recorded by ACBL, of which 15 must be silver and 5 must be red or gold.
• NABC MASTER - a member who has at least 200 masterpoints recorded by ACBL, of which 50 must be pigmented, with at least 5 gold, 15 red or gold, and 25 silver.
• LIFE MASTER - a member who has 300 or more masterpoints recorded by the ACBL, of which 100 must be pigmented, with 50 silver, 25 gold, and 25 red or gold. A member who held any red masterpoints or fraction thereof prior to January 1, 1969, must possess 50 red and gold masterpoints in any combination. A member who held no red masterpoints or fraction thereof on January 1, 1969, is required to possess at least 50 red and gold masterpoints, of which at least 25 must be gold. Any new member or player in an inactive status for six months or more after January 1, 1999 will be required to earn 50 black points to become a Life Master.
• GOLDEN AGE MASTER - a member who is age 70 or older and has at least 300 masterpoints of any color recorded by ACBL, or a member who is at least 80 years old and has at least 100 masterpoints of any color recorded by ACBL. On application to ACBL, an eligible member will be designated Golden Age Master and sent an appropriate certificate and wallet card.
• BRONZE LIFE MASTER - a Life Master who has at least 500 masterpoints recorded by ACBL.
• SILVER LIFE MASTER - a Life Master who has at least 1,000 masterpoints recorded by ACBL.
• GOLD LIFE MASTER - a Life Master who has at least 2,500 masterpoints recorded by ACBL.
• DIAMOND LIFE MASTER - a Life Master who has at least 5,000 masterpoints recorded by ACBL.
• GRAND LIFE MASTER - a Life Master who has at least 10,000 masterpoints and has won a North American Bridge Championship with no upper masterpoint restriction or an Open Team Trials or its equivalent or a Women's Team Trials or its equivalent or any of the following WBF events: Bermuda Bowl, Venice Cup, Rosenblum Cup, McConnell Cup, Open Pairs, Women's Pairs, Olympiad, Women's Team Olympiad, Mixed Pairs prior to 1990 or Mixed Teams prior to 1990.

II. WALLET CARDS

When members graduate from the rank of Rookie and are entitled to the honor title of Junior Master, they receive appropriate wallet cards from ACBL. The cards identify players as ACBL members with sufficient skill and experience to be titled Junior Master. Junior Master players may use this title as long as they are members in good standing or until they earn the right to a higher ranking title.

When members who have earned the rank of Junior Master advance to the next plateau, they again receive wallet cards designating their new status. Golden Age Master wallet cards are sent when requested by a district, unit, or club official.

This step-by-step recognition continues until the members receive the title of Life Master. Then ACBL awards them Gold Cards (gold colored), which announce that they are Life Masters of the American Contract Bridge League. ACBL also sends these members Life Master Certificates.

III. MASTERPOINT RACES

ACBL gives official recognition to the winner(s) of the most masterpoints in a calendar year by members in several different categories. These masterpoint races include the ACE OF CLUBS, where recognition is given to players through the rank of Grand Life master who earn the most masterpoints in club games, and the MINI-MCKENNEY, where players in each masterpoint category who win the most masterpoints are recognized. ACBL also keeps a record of the MINI-MCKENNEY winners for each unit.

SENIOR PLAYER OF THE YEAR, YOUTH PLAYER OF THE YEAR, JUNIOR PLAYER OF THE YEAR, SECTIONAL PLAYER OF THE YEAR, CHAMPIONSHIP PLAYER OF THE YEAR, BARRY CRANE TOP 500, and ANNUAL TOP 100 for each of the Bronze, Silver, and Gold Life Master categories are the other masterpoint races recognized by ACBL.

SECTION SIX: CLUB CHAMPIONSHIPS AND SPECIAL EVENTS

Every club that conducts its sanctioned games in full compliance with ACBL regulations is entitled to a number of annual club championship games. The number of such games depends on the number of regular games the club holds.

When a club conducts two or more levels of play at the same time (for example, open and newcomer games), it must conduct its club championships for all levels simultaneously.

I. ALLOCATION OF CLUB CHAMPIONSHIP GAME SESSIONS

A. WEEKLY CLUBS

Each regularly scheduled weekly game is entitled to four club championship sessions per year. These may be scheduled as four one-session club championships, two one-session championships and one two-session championship, or two two-session championships. (SEE CHAPTER 4, Section Six-II.C and Six-II.D.)

B. NON-WEEKLY CLUBS

A regularly scheduled club game held at a frequency other than weekly is entitled to one session with club championship rating for each 12 meetings of its regular game. In all other respects, ACBL regulations for the use of the club championship sessions by non-weekly games are the same as they are for weekly games.

II. SCHEDULING CLUB CHAMPIONSHIPS

When scheduling club championships a club must comply with a number of ACBL regulations.

A. CALENDAR QUARTERS SCHEDULING

A club must hold each of the four club championship sessions for one weekly game during a different calendar quarter of the year, except for an event it conducts in two sessions. A club may not carry over a club championship from one year to the next for the purpose of conducting a two-session event. (SEE D. following.)

B. PLAYING SITE CHANGES

A club may change the playing site of a club championship session from that of its regular game to accommodate increased attendance or the serving of refreshments. To change the site the club must obtain prior written approval from the unit that has jurisdiction over the area in which the championship is to be held.

C. PLAYING TIME CHANGES

Once a year a club may hold a one or two-session club championship at a time other than that of the game it represents. To do so, the club must obtain written permission from all other clubs holding sanctioned games within a 25-mile radius that hold games on that day of the week.

D. TWO-SESSION CLUB CHAMPIONSHIPS

Conducting a two-session club championship uses two of the four quarterly club championships allocated for the year, whether they are played in two consecutive sessions in different quarters (last session of the quarter and first session of the next quarter) or in one quarter (afternoon-evening playthrough). For example, a club game sanctioned for Saturday afternoon may operate a two-session club championship on two consecutive Saturday afternoons. When the consecutive days fall in the same calendar quarter, the club must forgo a championship event in some other quarter.

Once a year a club may schedule a two-session event on a day other than that for which it is sanctioned. For example, a club sanctioned for a Wednesday session may conduct the two-session event on Saturday afternoon and evening. The club must obtain written approval from all other Saturday clubs within a 25-mile radius, even if the club is itself sanctioned for either Saturday afternoon or Saturday evening. The club must forgo a club championship event in another calendar quarter if it makes use of this option.

If a club is sanctioned for Saturday afternoon and evening, it could hold a two session club championship all in one day. One club championship session would be charged against each sanctioned game session.

E. REGULAR GAME WITH DIFFERENT CLUB CHAMPIONSHIP TIME

If a club holds its club championship on a day for which it is not sanctioned to hold its regular sessions, and it has the written permission of other clubs holding sessions at that time, it may still hold a club masterpoint game on its regular day. The club must note the occurrence of both games on the Monthly Report Form, attach all written permissions to it, and submit appropriate payment with the form.

F. SCHEDULE CONFLICTS

A club may not conduct a club championship when a sectional or higher-rated event is in progress within 25 miles of the playing site. At its discretion, however, the club may hold its regularly scheduled club masterpoint games while a higher-rated event is taking place in the community. (SEE CHAPTER 4, Section Four, IV.E for rules on allowable cancellation of club games.)

G. BACK-TO-BACK PLAN

In areas in which two or more clubs are sanctioned to hold games simultaneously, attendance at some clubs may drop if one of the clubs stages a club championship. To prevent this, the unit having jurisdiction may adopt and enforce a back-to-back plan, under which all clubs in the playing area holding games during the same session must schedule their club championships in direct competition with each other. Use of this plan is optional with the unit.

III. TYPES OF EVENTS

A club may conduct a club championship as any type of standard individual, pair, or team event. An individual event can be run so that each compass direction is a distinct comparison group or can be run as an open individual. (SEE Section Two-V.)

Pair or team events can be run as regular open events (may be stratified or handicapped), or with the following gender, masterpoint, or age restrictions:

• MEN'S PAIRS/TEAMS - all participants must be male.
• WOMEN'S PAIRS/TEAMS - all participants must be female.
• MIXED PAIRS/TEAMS - all pairs must be composed of one male and one female player.
• UNMIXED PAIRS/TEAMS - all pairs/teams must contain either all male or all female players.
• MASTER PAIRS/TEAMS - at least one member of each pair/team must have a minimum number of masterpoints.
• NON-MASTER PAIRS/TEAMS - all players must have fewer than a specified number of masterpoints.
• JUNIOR PAIRS/TEAMS - all players must be under 26 years of age.
• SENIOR PAIRS/TEAMS - all players must be 55 years of age or older.

IV. SEEDING

Regular masterpoint games generally are not seeded, but all events with club championship or higher rating should be seeded. For example, club charity championships, International Fund club championships, membership tournaments, ACBL-wide, district-wide, and unit-wide games should be seeded. (SEE Section Three-IV,B.)

A club seeding committee or the game director usually seeds club championships, normally at the time the entries are sold.

V. AWARDS

The overall masterpoint awards in club championships are larger than those of a regular masterpoint game of the same size.

A. AWARDS TO MEMBERS, NEW MEMBERS, OR NON-MEMBERS BY ACBL

When ACBL issues masterpoints directly to players, it is important that the

If the player joins ACBL just prior to the start of the game, the club manager should write the words "new member" alongside the player's name and instant membership player number on the game report. In addition, the new player's membership application and dues should accompany the game report.

If the player is a former ACBL member who has reinstated his or her membership just prior to the start of the game, the club manager should include the player identification number and the word "reinstated" on the report form. Reinstated players' membership applications and dues should accompany the report.

B. COMPUTATION OF CLUB CHAMPIONSHIP AWARDS

To facilitate the computation of awards, charts of club championship awards for all open, invitational/restricted and newcomer events (overall) are shown in the masterpoint charts at the end of this chapter. Except when ties occur, the awards given in the charts need no adjustment and should be issued as shown. Overall awards for club championship games in Open clubs will be 65% of sectional rating. (charts are at the end of CHAPTER 4.) Second place will be 75% of first, etc. through a maximum of six places. Overall awards for invitational games, masterpoint limited games and newcomer games will use the same percentages of this chart as they do for regular club games. All section awards will be the same as they are for a regular club game. Bridge Plus games are not eligible for club championship games.

FIELDS: The overall award for a club championship is given for the top score in an event, without regard to the field (seating direction) in which the score was earned. For example, it is possible that all overall awards could be won by pairs seated in the same direction in a one-session Mitchell event.

In contrast, section awards are given for the highest scores in each field without regard to scores in any other field. Thus, in the above example, while the East-West field may have won all the overall awards, the scores that topped the North-South field still would earn their full quota of section awards.

There are two fields per section in pair events that use a straight Mitchell progression, but there is only one field when a Howell or scrambled movement is used. An individual event with a Rainbow-type movement has four fields per section (a separate field for each position or direction), but only one field per section if a Shomate-type (single winner) movement is used. As noted above, section awards are issued for all four fields. (SEE CHAPTER 4, Section Two, IV for definition of game movements.)

ONE-SECTION EVENTS: A one-section event that uses a one-winner movement may award points for more positions in the section than it does for the overall award. For example, in a 13-table open pair club championship that uses a scrambled Mitchell movement, there is only one field. Six pairs earn overall awards but ten pairs earn section awards. In this case, the first six pairs receive awards as shown on the overall scale, and the seventh through tenth place pairs receive awards as shown on the section award scale.

NEWCOMER CHAMPIONSHIPS: Awards for newcomer club championship games are determined from the appropriate Newcomer awards chart.

INVITATIONAL AND POINT RESTRICTED CHAMPIONSHIPS: Invitational and point-restricted club games must issue masterpoints according to the appropriate award charts for club championships, even though the particular event may have been open to all players invited to participate (such as the members of a country club, a women's club, or an industrial league).

INDIVIDUAL EVENTS: As noted in "Fields" (above), section awards are earned by all four fields in a Rainbow movement but only by one field in a Shomate movement. (SEE CHAPTER 4, Section Two.V for definition of "movement".) Overall awards remain consistent and are based on the total number of tables in the event and the level of competition.

TWO-SESSION EVENTS: In a two-session club championship a player receives the sum of his or her section awards for both sessions, or the overall award, whichever is greater, but not both. When a player receives an overall award, the number of tables shown on the award certificate is the number entered in the event, followed by an explanatory 2S in parentheses; that is, Tables 10 (2S). A two-session event with 10 tables playing in each session would be shown as 10, not 20, tables.

When the sum of the section awards is greater than the overall award, the player is issued a separate certificate for each session in which the points were earned. For example, a player ranks second in his or her section in the first session and fourth in the second session. Two masterpoint certificates must be issued: the first one filled in with the section box checked and ranking listed as second, and the second one with section box checked and ranking listed as fourth. All other blanks are filled in, with the type of event, such as master pairs or open pairs, entered in the open space following event.

The overall awards for two-session events are 50% greater than the overall awards for one-session events. If for any reason a two-session event has a different number of tables in each session, the smaller size session becomes the basis of the overall awards.

VI. CHARITY CLUB CHAMPIONSHIP

In addition to its allocation of club championship events, each club that conducts regularly sanctioned game sessions is entitled to a number of charity club championship sessions. Charity club championships award masterpoints on a scale that is different from that of an open championship. In an open game, charity club championship awards are 85% of sectional rating. In an invitational game, these awards are 80% of those for an open game and the appropriate percentage is used for the awards for restricted games. In a newcomer game the charity club championship award is 50% of the open game award. The club that sponsors a charity club championship is not required to pay the table fee or the session fee for this event but must provide to the appropriate charity a per table donation as established by ACBL regulation.

Every club that conducts 18 or more sanctioned game sessions a year must hold at least one charity event annually to benefit the ACBL Charity Foundation or the Canadian Bridge Federation (CBF) Charitable Fund. (Note that Canadian clubs may choose to have their International Fund Game {SEE CHAPTER 4, Section Six, VII} meet this requirement.) Only the chief executive officer of ACBL can waive this requirement. Such an exemption may be granted when no fund-raising activities are permitted on the premises where the club normally meets.

A. ALLOCATION OF SESSIONS

ACBL allocates to a club two charity club championship sessions per calendar year for each regularly scheduled weekly session the club operates. It also allocates one charity club championship session per calendar year to a club that operates a regularly scheduled game session less often than weekly (for example, every two weeks or monthly) but at least 12 times annually.

B. SUBSTITUTING A CHARITY SESSION FOR A CLUB CHAMPIONSHIP SESSION

A club may use one or more of its allocated club championship sessions as an added charity championship session but may not use a charity championship session as an added club championship session. A weekly game is entitled to four sessions of club championship rating and two sessions of charity championship rating annually. The club may elect to conduct only three club championship sessions in order to schedule three charity championship sessions. Such additional charity events receive only club championship rating.

C. TWO-SESSION CHARITY CLUB CHAMPIONSHIPS

Clubs may use their allocated charity club championship sessions to conduct one two-session charity club championship. The same ACBL regulations that pertain to a two-session club championship apply to a two-session charity club championship. This includes the right to schedule the charity championship at a time and place that differs from that of the regular game.

A club entitled to only one charity club championship session may combine one of its club championship sessions with the charity championship session in order to schedule a two-session charity club championship as above.

Both sessions give masterpoints based on 85% of sectional rating. The entire contribution must be made to an official ACBL beneficiary. (SEE E below.)

D. TABLE FEES

A club may charge any table fee that it chooses.

E. BENEFICIARIES

OFFICIAL ACBL BENEFICIARIES: The first charity club championship held each year must name the ACBL Charity Foundation or the CBF Charitable Fund (for games held in Canada) as its principal beneficiary. Under exceptional circumstances and on written application, the ACBL Charity Foundation will permit a club to hold its first charity game of the year for a local

SECONDARY BENEFICIARIES: A club that has selected a secondary beneficiary may make whatever contribution it chooses out of the surplus proceeds from the charity session. Some local charities provide playing space and publicity in exchange for a portion of the proceeds.

LOCAL BENEFICIARIES: The second charity club championship may be conducted on behalf of a local charity, if the charity is approved as tax-exempt by the Internal Revenue Service. Note: the ACBL Educational Foundation qualifies as a local or secondary beneficiary. A minimum amount per player must go to the beneficiary.

A club that elects to utilize more than one of its allocated club championship sessions for added charity championship sessions may conduct its second, fourth, and sixth charity championships for the benefit of approved local beneficiaries. The first, third, and fifth games, however, must be run for the ACBL Charity Foundation or the CBF Charitable Fund. In each instance a minimum amount per player per session must go to the beneficiary. Each club may also hold one additional charity game per year for the benefit of the local organization of the official ACBL charity of the year.

TWO-SESSION EVENTS: A club may divide the proceeds from a two-session event equally between an official ACBL beneficiary and local beneficiaries. If the sessions are unequal in size, the official ACBL beneficiary receives a minimum amount per player from the larger session and the local beneficiary a minimum amount per player from the smaller session.

F. CHARITY CLUB CHAMPIONSHIP AWARDS

Charity club championship awards for open games will be 85% of sectional rating. Invitational games, masterpoint-limited games and newcomer games will use the same percentages of the charity Club Championship (SEE Files MPPAIRS, MPSWISS) as they do for Club Championship awards. These special awards apply only to those games that fall under the charity allocation. For example, a regularly scheduled game session that meets weekly has an allocation of two such games, and a regularly scheduled game session that meets once or twice a month is allocated one such game. These rules apply also to charity events conducted as invitational and newcomer games.

Subsequent charity championships held by a club conducting open sanctioned games will award masterpoints in accordance with those listed on the Open Charity club championship charts for the type of event held.

A club conducting invitational games may hold allocated charity championships as open events in which all ACBL members are allowed to participate, rather than conduct them as invitational events. The club must adequately advertise the fact that the game will be open. The rules for awards for an open charity championship held by an invitational club are the same as those for an open club.

Except as provided in the preceding paragraph, awards for the first two allocated charity events held by an invitational or newcomer game may be found in the Masterpoint Award Charts.

Clubs give awards for subsequent