However in 2009 Bristol Backgammon Director Ian Tarr examined the past records of other individuals, and conferred Premier Status on two players who had narrowly failed to gain it through the usual channels.
The aim of this particular scheme is to formalise a more all-encompassing approach to achieve the same end.
While it is necessary to have some limits on which players can play in the Premier League, putting too many barriers in the way of qualification is both unnecessary and counter productive.
And the fact that we now have such a wide variety of events gives us the opportunity to reward those who have had a level of success in various events without necessarily having done enough in the traditional qualifying events.
So from 2011 players have had the opportunity to "tot up" points through their performances in various events throughout the year, as per the table below. N.B: This table changes in line with changes to our events each year, and the 2017 events are reflected now.
| Through winning matches in the following competitions: | |
|---|---|
| Competition | Points |
| Bristol Conference League | 3 |
| Bristol Masters | 7 |
| Bristol Grand Prix main final | 7 |
| Bristol Grand Prix main | 6 |
| Bristol Grand Prix consolation | 4 |
| Bristol GP30 main | 6.5 |
| Bristol GP30 consolation | 4.5 |
| Bristol GP5 main | 5.5 |
| Bristol GP5 consolation | 3.5 |
| Bristol Round Robin GP 5pt matches | 3 |
| Bristol Round Robin GP and Xmas Fizz 3pt matches | 2 |
| Bristol Intermediates Trophy | 3 |
| Bristol Handicap Trophy main and consolation | 1 |
| Bristol Speedgammon Grand Prix | 3 |
| Monday Club 3-point round robin | 1 |
| Through winning, or jointly winning, the following competitions | |
| Competition | Points |
| Monday Club Tric Trac Tourno | 2 |
| Monday Club DMP Tourno | 2 |
| Monday Club Nackgammon Tourno | 2 |