The present invention is generally directed to a method for enabling a player club ladder. The method includes arranging a main group of players registered in the player club into sub-groups, and during a challenge period, only players in the same sub-group compete against one another. Information about the player club challenge period is sent to the players, including identification of other players in their sub-group. During the challenge period, players log into a gaming machine and the game play data created by the participating players is tracked by the system. Points acquired by players at the gaming devices are monitored during the challenge period, and the players within each sub-group are ranked based on points accumulated during the challenge period. At the end of the challenge period a bonus or prize is provided to at least one player within each sub-group based on the total amount of points.