What are masterpoints?

The Masterpoint Scheme run by the Australian Bridge Federation (ABF) is intended to:

• Stimulate interest in bridge
• Provide a means of measuring player achievement
• Assist with financing the ABF's national and international commitments.

Members of clubs affiliated to the ABF automatically participate in the Masterpoint Scheme upon payment by their "home club" of the annual capitation fee - and are issued with a unique ABF number which identifies them to the Scheme. Affiliated clubs also have a unique club number.

Masterpoints are accrued when players do well in duplicate sessions that meet the requirements of the ABF Masterpoints Scheme and the club or event coordinator submits the masterpoint awards to the ABF Masterpoint Centre (normally at the end of each month). Larger events, those run by State bridge associations and the ABF offer the potential to win more masterpoints than local club games. Within the range of club events, each club receives an allocation of "red point" events, and may host congresses, with these both offering higher levels of masterpoints.

Accumulating masterpoints results in the player being awarded different Masterpoint Rankings from Graduate Master all the way to Gold Grand Master. These can be used to discrimate bridge players in terms of eligibility for certain events or prizes.

More information about the scheme can be found at the ABF Masterpoint Centre website, which includes an option to look up your current masterpoints details.