What is a point limited game? Any game where players with less than a specified number of masterpoints (MP) can play and win points. These games are used to allow players of a certain skill level to compete against others of the same skill level. No one likes to get kicked around all the time by the EXPERT players.
Masterpoint (MP) Awards in a Point Limited Game? ACBL awards less MPs in a point limited game. The MPs awarded are a percentage of the Open point award ( .1 MP per table; First place is 100%, 2nd place is 70% of 1st, 3rd is 50% of 1st, 4th is 35%, etc. ) The percentage of the Open game that ACBL uses is based on MP limit in the game: 300+ but not Open is 80%, 200 to 299.99 is 70%, 50 to 199.99 is 60%, 20-49.99 is 50%, 10-19.99 is 40% and 0-9.99 is 30%. Because BBO was designed for only Open games, it does not calculate MPs correctly. ACBL does the correction when it receives the game file from BBO. It will ultimately get fixed, but probably not any time soon.
Since BBO only does Open game, ACBL makes the adjusted before posting on ACBLive, which are the actual MPs ACBL awards.
The way that ACBL and BBO manage these types of games has led us to define two classes of point restricted games:
1. Competitive Class: The master point limit will have a limit between 99 though 899. The purpose is to create a more equal competition among participants.
We will use the ACBL-BBO system as implemented to conduct this class of games. There are two things to note:
a. The BBO system will not allow a player with more than the specified number of MPs to enter the game.
b. Payers that enter that don't have an ACBL number will automatically be in the "A" category.
2. Inexperienced Class: Beginner (less than 10 MP), Novice (less than 20), and 49 and Under. The goal here is to provide an encouraging, fun, non-threatening playing environment. These games may be 8, 9 or even 10 minutes a hand, which would drive the more experienced player crazy.
Only players with less than or equal to the number of masterpoints stated in the title will be eligible to enter the game. If you do not have an ACBL number you will be blocked from signing up for the game. To get a free ACBL number, signup in the ACBL Guest Program at:
https://my.acbl.org/membership/join
Stay safe!
Have fun!