ACBL Expands Online Masterpoint Opportunities Beyond BBO

The American Contract Bridge League (ACBL) is expanding its online presence. Starting July 1, 2025, ACBL members will be able to earn masterpoints on more online platforms than before. This marks a change in how ACBL-sanctioned online games are handled and opens up new options for players.

In the past, ACBL awarded masterpoints through only three platforms. Funbridge and OKbridge have both had ACBL-sanctioned games for years. Since 202, BBO has been the main focus for online play, especially during the COVID-19 pandemic years.

The End of the BBO Contract

That focus was partly due to a contract between the ACBL and BBO’s parent company, Entertainment 52. The contract included a non-disclosure agreement (NDA), so the full details haven’t been made public. However, it’s known that the agreement gave BBO priority as the main ACBL online platform during its term. That contract ends on June 30, 2025.

With that contract expiring, ACBL is now opening the door to more platforms where players can earn masterpoints. Each platform has different features and formats, giving members a wider range of choices for how they want to play.

New Platforms Offering Masterpoints

Here are the platforms now offering ACBL-sanctioned games:

• Bridge Base Online (BBO) – Still hosts ACBL Clubhouse games and other events. Offers video chat and a mix of casual and competitive tables.
• Funbridge – Play at your own pace against a virtual partner. Especially good for newer players. Free for Junior members.
• OKbridge – Live play with a customizable setup. Uses the Lehman rating system for tracking performance.
• IntoBridge – Offers new ranked games, celebrity challenges, and social play with live chat, video, and modern game features.
• RealBridge – Combines ACBL-sanctioned club games with live video and audio. Starting July 1, clubs can run games that award masterpoints on this platform.
• Shark Bridge – Combines learning and play. Features include bot games, multiplayer tables, and a new BridgeWar™ format that skips bidding.

Why This Change Matters

This update from the ACBL gives players more flexibility in how and where they play, while still earning official ACBL masterpoints. Players can now choose the platform that best fits their schedule and style.

Expanding ACBL-sanctioned masterpoint games to more online platforms will give players more choice, reduce the league’s dependence on Bridge Base Online, and potentially increase both participation and revenue. The ACBL will need to manage more oversight and coordination, but the change could attract younger and more tech-oriented players, support membership growth, and modernize the organization’s online presence.

We all know how a monopoly can limit innovation by reducing the incentive to improve features, pricing, or user experience. By allowing multiple platforms to offer ACBL-sanctioned games, competition increases. This encourages platforms to innovate, improve service quality, and create new ways to engage players. Exciting times for bridge!