Rookie-Master Games

Canadian Rookie-master games are held twice a year (spring and fall) in clubs across Canada. At least one member of each partnership must have fewer than 100 master points.

The Helen Shields is the spring Rookie-Master Game. The event is named in memory of Helen Shields, of Thunder Bay, who was a past President of the Canadian Bridge Federation. Helen was very active in teaching and introducing new players to duplicate bridge. The first Helen Shields game was held in 1995.

The Erin Berry is the fall Rookie-Master Game. The event is named in memory of Erin Berry, a gifted student and bridge player who was tragically killed in a car accident on January 30, 1998, three days before her 17th birthday. The Life of Erin Berry. Erin Berry Memorial Fund.

Players across the country play the same deals, and printed hand analyses, prepared by top Canadian players, are provided. The pair with the best percentage score in Canada is declared National Winners and receives a trophy. The pairs with the top percentage score in each Zone receive a plaque. All club winners receive certificates.

A “Rookie” is considered to be a player without much experience at playing duplicate bridge. Although we use a masterpoint cut off of 100, we are really intending that the player be fairly new to the game of duplicate bridge. Players that have let their ACBL membership lapse or have not been remitting master points for recording, although below the 100 master point level, do not necessarily fit the definition of “rookie”. Club managers or game directors may prohibit a pair from playing in this game, if they feel that the partnership does not include a player that fits the definition of a “Rookie”.

Rookie-Master Games in 2026

• HELEN SHIELDS ROOKIE-MASTER GAME      April 13 (Monday) – At in person clubs
• ERIN BERRY ROOKIE-MASTER GAME            October 13 (Tuesday) – At in persons clubs

Club Application

Please click here to read the instructions and complete the application form.

History of Canadian Rookie-Master Games

The first ever annual Canadian Rookie-Master Game was held in 1982, with 5 clubs taking part. In 1995 the event was renamed the “Helen Sheilds Canadian Rookie-Master Game” in memory of former CBF director and President, Helen Shields of Thunder Bay, and a second annual Rookie-Master game, called the “Canadian Fall Rookie-Master Game” was added. In 1998 the Fall game was renamed the “Erin Berry Canadian Rookie-Master Game” in memory of an upcoming junior player, Erin Berry, who was tragically killed in a car accident.

Originally a “Rookie” was defined as a player with fewer than 5 masterpoints. In the late 1980’s this was changed to 20 masterpoints. Beginning with the 2006 Erin Berry Rookie-Master game, the “Rookie” cut-off was increased to 50 masterpoints, and to 100 masterpoints in May 2019.

Hand Analysis

At the end of a Rookie-Master game, the analysis of the hands played during the session is provided to participants. This analysis is done by a Canadian expert. Here are the analyses from recent years.

Winners by Year

By clicking on the links, you can see the names of the national winners, as well as the winners by zone and by club.