The 2015 Sim Pairs events are underway. During the British Winter Simultaneous Pairs 190 pairs and 190 clubs gained the chance to win £1000 or one of seventeen other cash prizes. If your club and club members would like the chance to win a prize then you should enter one of the other Sim Pairs events in 2015.
The stratification of the results means that each pair can compare their scores to those of players of a similar ranking. This event is therefore an excellent introduction to simultaneous competitions for both players and clubs who have not previously taken part in such events, and particularly for those clubs which have a large number of 'recent graduates' from teaching groups.
Relatively inexperienced pairs can play the hands in their normal club session, and once the results have been submitted they can be compared with both the national results, but also the results of those with a comparable ranking. It is also a great opportunity for those in lower rankings to earn Blue Points. And of course the higher ranked players can complete for the top placings and higher Master Point awards. Blue points and local points will be awarded to the top third of the overall ranking list. In addition, the top 1/3 of each stratification will get blue points and local points.
There is a reduced entry fee for the Club Stratified Sim Pairs - only £2.10 per player (in addition to usual Universal Membership charges).
EBU Spring Pairs - Tuesday 5th to Thursday 7th May 2015
British Summer Pairs - Monday 27th to Thursday 30th July 2015
EBED Autumn Pairs - Monday 7th to Friday 11th September 2015
British Autumn Pairs - Monday 5th to Thursday 8th October 2015
Take part in a national competition: The EBU Sim Pairs gives everyone the opportunity to take part in a national competition, but with the comfort and convenience of playing at their own club. As entry is only a couple of pounds it is also the cheapest way to play in a national event.
Win Master Points: Master Points are awarded so it is therefore an excellent opportunity for those who are seeking a promotion to try to earn a few hundred more. In addition to the local points, the leading pairs nationally will also be awarded Blue Points. You can find out more about Blue Points at http://www.ebu.co.uk/documents/laws-and-ethics/licensing/blue-points.pdf
The results: The results service which is provided is excellent, with a breakdown of all the scores and percentages along with hand records and an expert commentary which is both interesting and educational. Here is an example
Support worthwhile causes: The EBED Autumn Pairs raises funds to support the national charity for bridge - English Bridge Education and Development. Proceeds from other events go towards funding the activities of the EBU - your union. By supporting these events you are investing in the future of bridge in this country and the services that the EBU provides to you and your members.
The prizes: The prize have already been mentioned but are worth reiterating. Each club which hosts a heat will have the chance to win up to £1000. The winning pair of each heat will also have the chance to win up to £1000, and there are seventeen other cash prizes for both host clubs and heat winners. There are cash prizes for the overall winners of some events too. Information on the prizes is available here.
Some clubs do not have a dealing machine, or a volunteer who doesn't intend playing, so have difficulties in making up the boards in advance. Such clubs may wish to consider arranging a reciprocal agreement with a nearby club, who play on a different night, and make up the hands for each other, thereby allowing everyone to take part. Alternatively, certain movements would allow for the hands to be made at the first table of the evening (curtain cards can be downloaded from the website), after which you would move as normal and commence playing in the second round - nobody need miss out on playing.
For more information on all of these points please see the attachment or visit the website.
Full details of the events and how to enter, along with previous results, can be found at www.ebu.co.uk/sims
If you have any queries please don,t hesitate to contact us, otherwise we look forward to you entering - hopefully for March's Club Stratified Sim Pairs.