The ACBL North American Pairs (NAP) (Wikipedia article) is one of two annual ACBL‑wide open contests in bridge — the other being the team event, the Grand National Teams (GNT) (Wikipedia article). The NAP begins with grass‑roots club qualifying and culminates in a national championship at the Spring NABC. Each of the 25 ACBL districts may send up to three pairs to each of the three skill‑level national finals.

The 2026 NAP season unfolds in three stages:

• June – August — Club Qualifying: Pair qualifier games are held at local clubs throughout NVBA (Unit 218), WBL (Unit 145), and across District 6. You qualify as an individual, not as a pair, which means you can partner with any other District 6 qualifier at the finals. Qualifying games award higher than usual masterpoints. See the list of 2026 NAP club qualifying games in Unit 218 and Unit 145.
• November — District 6 Finals: After qualifying at a club game, you may register with any other District 6 qualifier to compete in the District 6 NAP finals, held locally each November. The event has three flights: Open (A) (0‑∞), B (0‑2500), and C (0‑500/NLM). Click here for the dates and location of the 2026 District 6 NAP finals.
• Spring 2026 — National Championship: The winning pair from each flight earns the right to represent District 6 at the 2026 Spring NABC in St. Louis MO. ACBL provides financial subsidies to the top two pairs in each flight in each district to help offset the cost of travel to the NABC. Third‑place finishers are also eligible to attend and compete at their own expense.

For complete eligibility rules, see the official District 6 Conditions of Contest and the official ACBL Conditions of Contest.

IMPORTANT: You must pre‑register for the District 6 finals by October 24^th. Click here to register. Include your name, your partner's name, your ACBL numbers, a $64 check, and the flight you wish to enter (Open, B, or C). Make the check payable to District 6 and note the flight on the memo line. Mail your payment to:

Doug Grove
903 Snure Rd
Silver Spring, MD 20901-1028

Questions? Email Mary Peters at mfpeters496@verizon.net or call her at 410‑707‑6347.