Format and rules
Play. Survive.
Win your seat.
Seven days of bridge with robots, five weeks in a row. Three days to play your 36 boards, then elimination through the week: the first cut at Wednesday's close, then one every evening through Saturday. The last two standing in each flight earn a seat at the NABC in San Diego.
- Sep 7First week starts
- 15 BB$One entry, the whole week
- 25%Cut at each elimination
- 20 seatsIn the San Diego final
How the week works
You play your 36 boards over the first three days, whenever suits you. They must be finished before Wednesday closes, at about 4:00 AM US Eastern Time. That is when the first cut lands. From there you play one short tournament a day, and each evening the lowest quarter of the remaining field is eliminated. On Sunday, the two best players in each flight win a free NABC entry and a seat in the San Diego live final. An active ACBL membership is required to enter.
| Day | Boards | Field | At day’s end | Masterpoints® |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Monday to Wednesday | 36 (72-hour window) | Everyone entered | First cut: bottom 25% eliminated, about 4:00 AM ET Thursday | ![](https://news.bridgebase.com/wp-content/uploads/2026/08/masterpoint-crystal.png"){kind=small} 200% Crystal, plus BXP |
| Thursday | 12 | Survivors | Second cut: bottom 25% eliminated | ![](https://news.bridgebase.com/wp-content/uploads/2026/08/masterpoint-black.png"){kind=small} 200% Black, plus BXP |
| Friday | 12 | Survivors | Third cut: bottom 25% eliminated | ![](https://news.bridgebase.com/wp-content/uploads/2026/08/masterpoint-red.png"){kind=small} 200% Red, plus BXP |
| Saturday | 12 | Survivors | Fourth cut: bottom 25% eliminated | ![](https://news.bridgebase.com/wp-content/uploads/2026/08/masterpoint-silver.png"){kind=small} 200% Silver, plus BXP |
| Sunday | 12 | Final field | No cut: top 2 win their seat in San Diego | ![](https://news.bridgebase.com/wp-content/uploads/2026/08/masterpoint-gold.png"){kind=small} 200% Gold, plus BXP |
The same week runs 5 times between September 7 and October 11. If you are eliminated, you can enter again the next week, up to five attempts in total. Two flights play side by side, 0 to 750 Masterpoints® and Open, each sending 2 players to the live final every week. Across both flights, 20 players reach the live final in San Diego.
Three rules that decide your week
Play all 36 boards
The three-day window closes Wednesday night. Unfinished boards score as played badly, and your total decides whether you survive the first cut.
Outscore the field
From Wednesday's close, the lowest quarter is eliminated every evening through Saturday. A steady score beats a brilliant gamble.
Finish top 2 on Sunday
The two best eligible players in your flight win free entry to the NABC in San Diego and a seat in the live final. Everyone else can play again next week.
Before you enter
One entry per week
15 BB$ covers all seven days of that week, however far you go.
Two flights
0 to 750 Masterpoints® and Open. You are only ever ranked within your own flight.
ACBL members only
An active ACBL membership is required to enter either flight.
Tournaments with robots
Duplicate tournaments played with robots on BBO. Play whenever suits you inside the day's window.
Five attempts
Eliminated early? Play again the next week, up to five attempts across the event.
September 7 to October 11, 2026
Five weeks, each running Monday to Sunday. The first week starts Monday, September 7. The last one starts Monday, October 5 and ends Sunday, October 11.
NABC Survivor FAQ
The questions players ask most about entry, elimination and prizes. For the full prize list, see the prizes page.
Who can enter NABC Survivor?
Any player with an active ACBL membership. Two flights run side by side: 0 to 750 Masterpoints and Open. You are only ever ranked within your own flight.
How much does it cost to enter?
15 BB$ per week. One entry covers all seven days of that week, however far you go.
How does the elimination work?
You play 36 boards over the first three days, Monday to Wednesday. The first cut lands at Wednesday's close, when the bottom 25% of the field is eliminated. From Thursday you play one 12-board daylong per day, and the bottom 25% of the remaining field is eliminated each evening through Saturday. There is no cut on Sunday.
What do I win if I survive the week?
The top two players in each flight on Sunday earn a free NABC entry and a seat at the live final at the Fall NABC in San Diego on December 2, 2026.
Do I earn Masterpoints even if I am eliminated?
Yes. ACBL Masterpoints are awarded on every daylong you play, boosted 200% across the whole event, along with BXP and BB$. The point colour rises through the week: Crystal, Black, Red, Silver, then Gold on the final day.
Can I enter again if I am eliminated?
Yes. Each week is a fresh start, so you can enter again the following week, up to five weeks in total.
Do I play with robots or with a human partner?
You play with robots on BBO, in duplicate daylong tournaments. Every result comes down to your own decisions at the table.
Twenty seats. Five weeks. One chance a week.
See what the finalists take home, and what waits for them at the NABC in San Diego.
NABC Survivor is an online bridge survivor event run by Bridge Base Online in partnership with the ACBL. Live final at the Fall NABC in San Diego, December 2, 2026.