Masters Pairs

25th February 2024, Various Clubs

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The EBU Masters Pairs

- a national competition for the Ann Staveley trophy!

Hosted by clubs, online or face-to-face, 25th Feb 2024

This event is open to players below the rank of Regional Master. Players above this rank, including those who have a master point record abroad that would give them a higher rank, should enter the Ranked Masters Pairs.

The Masters Pairs is a national competition hosted in club heats to compete for the Ann Staveley trophy. it is aimed at players with fewer Masterpoints. Please note format changed in 2019 - the heats are hosted by individual clubs, rather than run by the EBU. This means cheaper prices, a chance to support your local club, and hopefully more participants.

Venues

The Masters Pairs will take place as events organised by host bridge clubs, each of two short sessions (36 boards total). These clubs are responsible for most aspects of the heat, including taking entries, running the game and submitting the scores. The entry fee is determined by each host club - a part of this is remitted to the EBU and the rest is retained by club, so by taking part you are supporting your local club. If your club wishes to host this event please contact comps@ebu.co.uk for information. Details of the clubs which are hosting heats will be available below.

Rankings

This event is open to players below the rank of Regional Master. This includes: Local Masters, Club Masters, Area Masters, District Masters, County Masters, Masters, Advanced Masters, Star Masters, Tournament Masters or Premier Masters. Players above this rank, including those who have a master point record abroad that would give them a higher rank,  should enter the Ranked Masters Pairs. Your ranking is taken as of 1st January 2024, and will include any Master Points which have been earned prior to that date, but not yet registered. We may reserve the right to restrict entry only to those members with less than 25 Green Points in instances where the member in question has not yet accumulated enough Master Points in total to reach the level of Regional Master or higher.

Full Master Point ranks List.

Format

The competition is played as a 1-day event scored by match-points simultaneously across several centres. Usually it will comprise two sessions of 18 boards each. The start and finish time will be dependent on the host venue. Please see below for information.

Stratification

In a recent change, stratification will be based on NGS grades (the average of the individual grades for both members of each pair). Details will not be announced in advance, but will be determined once the strength of the field is known, and arranged so that approximately 50% of the National field qualifies for the B stratification and 25% for the C stratification. No players with hidden NGS will be able to be in the B or C strat group.

To enter

By entering an EBU congress or event you agree to abide by the terms and conditions set out in the Terms and Conditions document.

Please enter directly with the host club.

The contact details and/or the process for making an entry for each venue is listed below.

Holders

2023 Gianfranco Celani & Mumun Kilic

Timetable
Day Times
Sunday 25th February The start time will be between 11am and 1pm, chosen by the host venue.

Each session will be around 18 boards (36 boards all together) (the movement used will depend on the number of entrants), with a break between sessions.

Entry Fees
The entry fee will be determined by the host club - see below for specific prices for each venue

Please make entries directly to the host club

Master Points

Green Points are awarded throughout, both for session results and for final ranking. Session awards go to the top 1/4 of the overall field based on the session scores alone. In addition, ranking points go to the top 1/2 of the overall field based on the two-session total score. Session awards and final ranking awards are cumulative. The results will be stratified - see above.

Agreements

Level 4 agreements are permitted in this event.

Venue and Tariff

2024 Venues

Details of the clubs which are hosting heats will be posted here when confirmed. If your club wishes to host a heat please contact comps@ebu.co.uk for information.

Cheltenham Bridge Club, Starting at 11.30 am. Entry fee £10 per person, includes sandwiches, cake tea/coffee. Visitors please email membersadmin@cheltenhambridgeclub.com for entry.

First Class Bridge Academy, Essex. Starting at 1pm. Entry fee £10 per person, includes tea, coffee and biscuits. Food can be PRE-ordered in the café below for the anticipated 3.20pm break.

Liskeard Bridge Club, Starting at 1pm. Entry fee £8 per person, includes coffee/tea, sandwiches and biscuits in the break. Please arrive at 12.45 to start at 13.00. Entries will close on February 20th to give numbers to the caterers. The venue is Liskeard Public Hall, West Street, Liskeard. PL14 6BW. To enter please contact sylvia.smith24@yahoo.co.uk.

Oliver Cowan Bridge Club, starting at 1pm. Entry fee £10 per person. Taking place on both BBO with a half hour break so finish by 6pm. Entries to ocbridgecomps@gmail.com with name, choice of platform, BBO name, EBU number. Entry fee to be sent to sort 204895 acct 43186903 acct name Oliver Cowan Bridge Ltd. BBO game will show as "EBU Masters Pairs" and RealBridge link will be sent to players on the morning.

Scunthorpe Bridge Club, Starting at 11am. Entry fee is £8 per person, includes tea/coffee and biscuits. There will be a break between sessions for those who wish to bring a packed lunch. For local players, please add you name to the list displayed on the club notice board. For non-local players please email the Scunthorpe Secretary: wanda.kotowska@ntlworld.com.

Sutton Coldfield Bridge Club, Starting at 11am. Entry fee £5 for members and £8 for non members. Includes tea/coffee during the day (please bring your own lunch). Entry via email to suttoncbc@outlook.com

Wakefield Bridge Club, Starting at 11am. Entry fee £10 per person. Coffee and/or tea 50p. Bring own lunch. Location: WF2 8QZ. Entry via email to Danny Parsonson.

West Midlands Bridge Club, Solihull. Starting at 11am. Entry fee £10 per person. Includes tea/coffee during the day (please bring lunch or go into town in break). West Midlands Entry Form.

Wimbledon Bridge Club Starting at 1pm. Entry fee £8 per person. There will be a break for tea/coffee and cake. Wimbledon entry form.