It came to my attention that no one teaches new players about masterpoints (MPs) or the progression through the Australian Bridge Federation (ABF) levels. So here is some information for you.
In Australia there are 3 kinds of masterpoints. Green, Red, and Gold.
There are 22 levels in the masterpoint scheme. It is the rare player who reaches level 22. In the history of the ABF, there are only 11 players who have reached the highest level.
GREEN
* awarded in regular club level sessions at a rate of 1.5 usually
* D category greens are awarded a a rate of 2.0
* if the event/session is limited to a restricted level (EG U100 or U20 MPs), these masterpoints are scaled down to allow for increased experience and learning before the newish players ‘mix it with the big boys’. It protects new players so they don’t get despondent and decide to leave the game.
* are uploaded once a month usually, though during Covid times, this hasn’t be achieved every month.
RED
* these are special events.
* all clubs and state/national are allowed to run these sessions.
* every club is allocated a yearly number of events they can run. Peninsula has 37 in 2022. This allocation is based on how many green masterpoints have been awarded October 1 - September 30.
* these MPs are awarded at the rate of 2.5
* the same formula applies to these for limited sections or events as for the green MPs. Again, this protects newish players from getting ‘beaten up’ by more experienced players.
* some of these events are multi week events. These have outrights added to them. An outright is an extra special amount -above the MPs awarded for each session - that awards the winners. Again, these are scaled down for players who don’t have many MPs.
* red MPs take weeks and sometimes months to upload, due to the process that the MP Secretary must do to get permission to finalise these events.
GOLD
* These are very special events and are managed and hosted by state or the national organization.
* most of these are awarded at a rate of 5.0. Limited sections (Rookie - under 10 MPs; Novice - under 100 MPs; Restricted - under 300 MPs; Intermediate - under 750 MPs) are scaled down for protection.
* Open means there are no limits (anyone can ‘play up’ but if you have more than 750 MPs, you can not play down.
* most of these events are very big but categorized so that players play against others who are in the same category as yourself.
* the most popular of these events are Canberra (January), Gold Coast (February) and Coffs Harbour (August). Adelaide, Perth and Canterbury are also popular for some players.
* ironically, these MPs are usually uploaded fairly quickly after the event is over.
Why are MPs important?
There are promotions for the more MPs you earn. The higher you rise in the ranks, the more red/gold MPs you will need.
A player, who earns a promotion, knows they are doing well and has a right to be proud of their achievement.
For more information
Have a look at the Australian Bridge Federation website or the NSW Bridge Association’s website. This is where events are advertised and results posted.
The ABF Masterpoints Scheme Manual has all the details.
If you have any questions, please call me on 0421 764 300. I don’t pretend to know everything about masterpoints but I can answer most common questions.
Cassandra Mitchell
MP Secretary
