Life Master

That red thing is called a bidding box

I made it to Life Master in bridge yesterday. That means I have 500 master points with at least 75 silver and 100 gold or red. The silver, gold, and red come from tournaments, but Russ and I were focused on earning our tournament points as we went along, so I have had those for a while. Today is the day I went over 500 total points.

The American Contract Bridge League has created several designations before Life Master, six of them in fact, but these are really just milestones on the way to Life Master, which is the one that really counts. No one ever asks if you are an NABC Master yet, for example, but they ask about Life Master, and that has been a thing at least since I was a teenager learning to play, so this one is a big deal.

It took me three years and five months to get to this point, which I think has to be fairly quick, because last year I placed 27th in the ACBL in points earned for my starting category, and the year before that I placed fourth. Certainly, some people take a lot longer. Some never get there.

There are additional designations beyond Life Master, but I would say those are just the result of playing more, not necessarily something to strive for. My thinking is that every 2,500 points should be considered noteworthy, as even the first 2,500 would be quite an accomplishment. For me, just getting to that one would be a stretch goal.

Just for reference, the ultimate level is called Grand Life Master. To get there, you have to have 10,000 points, 100 of which are platinum points won at a national championship, and one first place finish at a national event. I have met several people who have the points, though I do not know how many have the win in a national competition.

Anyway, Life Master has been the goal for the last two and a half years at least. It feels good to get it done.