The American Contract Bridge League (ACBL) is a governing body for contract bridge in the United States , Canada , Mexico , and Bermuda . It is the largest such organization in North America having the stated mission "to promote, grow and sustain the game of bridge and serve the bridge-related interests of our Members." Its major activities are:
20-732: As of 2018, it had more than 165,000 members. The ACBL was created in 1937 by the merger of the American Bridge League and the United States Bridge Association in 1937. At that time, its bridge tournaments were open only to white people, with the American Bridge Association running tournaments in which black people were allowed to play. In 1967, the American Contract Bridge League (ACBL) removed
40-773: A full-time staff of about 60 employees in Horn Lake, plus about 160 tournament directors throughout the country. The headquarters also houses the League's Museum, Library and League's Hall of Fame. Three times a year, in the spring, summer, and fall, the ACBL holds the North American Bridge Championships (NABC) using the duplicate bridge method of scoring , which greatly reduces the element of luck in competition. The NABC typically extends over eleven days and includes many different events. The location of
60-498: A rule that no person could be denied membership because of race, color, or creed A not-for-profit organization , the ACBL was founded on December 23, 1937 in New York City and later moved its company headquarters to Greenwich, Connecticut , then to Memphis, Tennessee in 1971 and to Horn Lake, Mississippi in 2010. It has a full-time staff of about 60 employees in Horn Lake, plus about 160 tournament directors throughout
80-584: The Laws of Duplicate Bridge (named Laws of Duplicate Contract Bridge until 2008), the ACBL offers many other training and information resources at its official website including software supporting education and play of the game, The ACBL has also published the ACBL Bridge Series , a series of books written by Audrey Grant and designed to teach the game to beginners, as well as to help more experienced players review and expand upon their knowledge of
100-467: The Laws of Duplicate Bridge (named Laws of Duplicate Contract Bridge until 2008), the ACBL offers many other training and information resources at its official website including software supporting education and play of the game, The ACBL has also published the ACBL Bridge Series , a series of books written by Audrey Grant and designed to teach the game to beginners, as well as to help more experienced players review and expand upon their knowledge of
120-680: The United States of America . The ABA was formed in 1932 by black tennis players at Buckroe Beach, Virginia ; at the time, blacks were excluded from most bridge events. The desire to compete in the sport of tennis despite the racial barriers of the time resulted in the creation of the American Tennis Association in 1916. The Association often held its matches on college campuses such as Hampton Institute, now Hampton University, and Lincoln University, where adequate facilities were available. One such championship event
140-590: The ABA and the first National Bridge Tournament was held in Buckroe Beach, Virginia in 1933. The membership of the newly formed ABA burgeoned, and in 1936 the ABA merged with the Eastern Bridge League, a group of New York City bridge clubs. Since this time the ABA has evolved into eight sections - Eastern, Great Lakes, Mid-Atlantic, Southern, Southwestern, Midwestern, Western, and Northwestern. As
160-805: The ABA continued to grow, attention focused on the need for a permanent home. The ideal of a permanent location was accomplished when a building, which now houses the ABA National Office and ABA memorabilia, was purchased in Atlanta, Georgia in 1994. In the 1980s, the American Bridge Association selected the Schomburg Center in New York City to officially house its memorabilia. The ABA National Headquarters showcases artifacts and catalogs ABA documents. In 2005,
180-556: The ACBL masterpoints system. American Contract Bridge League The American Contract Bridge League (ACBL) is a governing body for contract bridge in the United States , Canada , Mexico , and Bermuda . It is the largest such organization in North America having the stated mission "to promote, grow and sustain the game of bridge and serve the bridge-related interests of our Members." Its major activities are: As of 2018 , it had more than 165,000 members. The ACBL
200-455: The ACBL. Most players value the increase in their masterpoint total as a measure of their success at the game. Unlike the Elo rating system developed for chess , the masterpoint system is strictly one of accumulation. A player's masterpoint total can never decline except as part of a penalty imposed for ethics violations. Members receive the monthly Bridge Bulletin magazine. In addition to
220-407: The ACBL. Most players value the increase in their masterpoint total as a measure of their success at the game. Unlike the Elo rating system developed for chess , the masterpoint system is strictly one of accumulation. A player's masterpoint total can never decline except as part of a penalty imposed for ethics violations. Members receive the monthly Bridge Bulletin magazine. In addition to
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#1732757960968240-593: The American Bridge Association published Defining Moments, a historical package which includes a written chronicle, DVD of oral history, and playing cards. These components depict the movements, forces, and people who helped shape the history of the ABA. The entire package or its components may be obtained from the ABA National Headquarters in Atlanta, Georgia. In 1967, the American Contract Bridge League (ACBL) removed
260-546: The NABC is rotated among major cities, attended by thousands of players. The 2009 Summer Nationals in Washington, DC had 14,115 total tables played over the 11 days. For many, the most significant role of the ACBL is its sanctioning of club games and tournaments to award masterpoints . If an event has the ACBL sanction, then the highest-finishing players are awarded specified numbers of masterpoints, which can be recorded with
280-436: The NABC is rotated among major cities, attended by thousands of players. The 2009 Summer Nationals in Washington, DC had 14,115 total tables played over the 11 days. For many, the most significant role of the ACBL is its sanctioning of club games and tournaments to award masterpoints . If an event has the ACBL sanction, then the highest-finishing players are awarded specified numbers of masterpoints, which can be recorded with
300-421: The country. The headquarters also houses the League's Museum, Library and League's Hall of Fame. Three times a year, in the spring, summer, and fall, the ACBL holds the North American Bridge Championships (NABC) using the duplicate bridge method of scoring , which greatly reduces the element of luck in competition. The NABC typically extends over eleven days and includes many different events. The location of
320-424: The final obstacle to ACBL membership for African-Americans when it included in its by-laws a rule that no person could be denied membership because of race, color, or creed A not-for-profit organization , the ACBL was founded on December 23, 1937 in New York City and later moved its company headquarters to Greenwich, Connecticut , then to Memphis, Tennessee in 1971 and to Horn Lake, Mississippi in 2010. It has
340-600: The final obstacle to ACBL membership for African-Americans when it included in its by-laws a rule that no person could be denied membership because of race, color, or creed. Historically, many states, particularly in the South, had laws that made card-playing between blacks and whites illegal. Some of those were: Texas, Tennessee, Mississippi, Alabama, and Huntsville, Alabama. The ABA membership remains predominantly African-American. It holds two national tournaments each year. The ABA has its own masterpoints system, similar to
360-593: The game. The ACBL consists of 25 Districts. Each District elects a District Director (DD) who serves a three-year term on the ACBL Board of Directors. Clicking on the district number brings up the web site for that District. Clicking on the Report brings up the District Director report. American Bridge Association The American Bridge Association ( ABA ) is a tournament bridge organization in
380-437: Was created in 1937 by the merger of the American Bridge League and the United States Bridge Association in 1937. At that time, its bridge tournaments were open only to white people, with the American Bridge Association running tournaments in which black people were allowed to play. In 1967, the American Contract Bridge League (ACBL) removed the final obstacle to ACBL membership for African-Americans when it included in its by-laws
400-483: Was held at Hampton in the year 1932. At the conclusion of the tournament, a group of tennis players, who were also bridge enthusiasts, suggested having a duplicate bridge match in the evening as a form of relaxation. This event, coupled with impetus from the Cromwell School of Contract Bridge in New York City, marked the beginning of the American Bridge Association. Dr. M.E. DuBisette became the first president of
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