The Mini-McKenney races were established in 1974. Eligibility is determined by each player’s masterpoint holding at the beginning of the calendar year. All points earned during the year count with the exception of online games that award colorless masterpoints.
To recognize achievement at the club level, the Ace of Clubs competition was created in 1984. This award was renamed the Helen Shanbrom Ace of Clubs race in honor of Grand Life Master Helen Shanbrom from Florida who was a prolific collector of masterpoints at the club level. She was the first player in ACBL history to win the Ace of Clubs award in her category for 20 consecutive years.
Beginning in 2023, all games held at ACBL Virtual Clubs (VACB) are counted in the Ace of Virtual Clubs Masterpoint Races, and are not counted in the Helen Shanbrom Ace of Clubs.
| Race | Where You Play | Points Counted |
| Mini-McKenney | Everywhere (Clubs + Tournaments) | Total Masterpoints (Black, Silver, Red, Gold, etc.) |
| Helen Shanbrom Ace of Clubs | Local Physical Clubs | Black points only |
| Virtual Ace of Clubs | ACBL Virtual Clubs (on BBO) | Black points earned in Virtual Club games |
| Online Masterpoints | Online Platforms (BBO, etc.) | Unpigmented (Colorless) points |
