Ranked Masters Pairs

22nd - 23rd February 2025, RealBridge

trophies

EBU Ranked Masters Pairs

- a group of pairs championships for those with an appropriate EBU Master Point Rank

RealBridge, 22nd - 23rd February 2025

All events scored by Cross-IMPs

Feedback from those who have played in the event in the past indicated two to one being in favour of it being online, so this event is now played on RealBridge.

It is a group of pairs championships for which an appropriate EBU Master Point Rank is needed to enter. The rank must be attained by virtue of points earned by 1st January 2025, and players who hold unregistered points at that date, which would promote them to a higher rank, may only compete at the higher rank. Players currently or previously based overseas for any substantial period of their bridge playing career should make a special application for a national rank to be afforded them solely for the purpose of participating in this particular event.

Players below the rank of Regional Master should enter the Masters Pairs. Cross-IMP (teams-type) scoring is used in all the below events.

Categories

Changes since 2019 For the purpose of the movements, we expect to merge the Premier Life Masters (C) with the Life Masters (D), and the National Masters (E) with the Regional Masters (F). You will be playing in a larger field with more opponents and comparisons, which we hope will be welcomed by most players. We will still award trophies within each group and prizes to trophy winners and Master Points will be stratified, treating the lower ranked group as a subfield.

(A) Premier Grand Masters Pairs This event is open to Premier Grand Masters partnering either another Premier Grand Master or a Grand Master.

(B) Grand Masters Pairs for the Harrison Gray Salver This event is open to Grand Masters (but not Premier Grand Masters) partnering either another Grand Master or a Premier Life Master.

(C) Premier Life Masters Pairs for the Premier Life Masters Trophy This event is open to Premier Life Masters partnering either another Premier Life Master or a Life Master.

(D) Life Masters Pairs for the Maurice Blank Trophy This event is open to Life Masters (but not Premier Life Masters) partnering either another Life Master or a Premier National Master. Contested as a combined event with (C) Premier Life Master Pairs.‘

(E) National Masters Pairs for the Bridge Magazine Cup This event is open to National and/or Premier National Masters, or either of these playing with a Premier Regional Master.

(F) Regional Masters Pairs for the St Dunstan’s Plate This event is open to Regional and/or Premier Regional Masters, or either of these playing with a Premier Master. Contested as a combined event with (E) National Masters Pairs.

Events A - D are system level 5; events E - F are level 4. 

Additional qualification criteria (Gold Point rankings)

Players in the top 20 Gold Point rankings on January 1st may elect to count themselves as Premier Grand Masters. Players ranked 21–40 may elect to count themselves as Grand Masters. Alternatively, such players may elect to play in their normal rank category or in any intermediate category with a suitably qualified partner.

Additional optional qualification criteria (NGS grade)

In addition to the criteria listed above, a player will be allowed to “play up” to join a partner of a higher rank providing their NGS grade meets the following criteria on 1st January, or they achieve that grade at some point during the January before the event:

  • For the Premier Grand Masters Pairs they must be an Ace of Spades or Ace of Hearts
  • For the Grand Masters Pairs they must be an Ace
  • For the Premier Life Masters Pairs they must be a King or an Ace
  • For the Life Masters Pairs they must be in the top half of the Queen group – ie 58% or higher
  • For the National Masters Pairs they must be a Queen or higher
  • For the Regional Masters Pairs they must be in the top half of the Jack group – ie 56% or higher

Please note that for those who already qualify by virtue of their Master Point rank there is no additional NGS requirement, but this modification allows some players to play at a higher rank than formerly.

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.

The easiest way to enter is online through My EBU. Log-in and select 'Book Events' from the Utilities menu. You can also call 01296 317203, or email comps@ebu.co.uk.

Online Event Prices

Competitions are an important way of raising the money necessary for the EBU's survival, and our pricing strategy for online events reflects this rather than the lower costs involved in running such events. Our intention is that this will continue for all our online congresses and major competitions - they will be cheaper than face-to-face equivalents but will still be priced to help support other aspects of the EBU's work.

Holders

2024

Premier Grand Masters Pairs: Paddy Murphy & Mark Roderick (pictured)

Grand Masters Pairs: Paul Brereton & Frank Dixon (picture)

In the combined Premier Life, Life, National and Regional Masters Pairs:

Premier Life Masters: Steve Raine & Alan Hayward (picture)

Life Masters: Anton Mauve & Kostadin Vasilev (picture)

National Masters: Hanna Tuus & Daisy Dillon (picture)

Regional Masters: Rhonda Collins & Richard Collins (picture)

Timetable
Day Start Time End Time
SAT 22 11:00 Between 14:15 and 15:15 Session 1
Between 15:00 and 16:00 19:00 Session 2
SUN 23 11:00 13:45 and 14:45 Session 3
Between 14:30 and 15:30 18:00 Session 4
There will be a break of 45 minutes on both days We aim to play approx. 100 boards total

Events A - D are system level 5; events E - F are level 4.

Entry Fees
Event Price (per player)
(A) Ranked Masters Pairs £67
(B) Masters Pairs - see the Master Pairs webpage for details.
Members who have attained a landmark promotion to the rank of Master are entitled to free entry in the Masters Pairs and those who reach one of the other three Landmark Promotions now get free entry to the Ranked Masters Pairs
Closing date for entries: 21st February 2025

Master Points

Fractional Green Points will be awarded for all matches/rounds won in all events (the same formula will be used for all events based solely on the number of boards in the match regardless of the category of the event). Additional Green Points will be awarded based on overall ranking to the top third of the field in each category. These bonus awards will vary depending on the category of the event.

Please note: For ranks that have been combined Master Points are done on a stratified basis

Agreements

Events A - D are system level 5; events E - F are level 4.

Venue and Tariff

2025: Online, RealBridge

 

Categories

(A) Premier Grand Masters Pairs This event is open to Premier Grand Masters partnering either another Premier Grand Master or a Grand Master.
(B) Grand Masters Pairs for the Harrison Gray Salver This event is open to Grand Masters (but not Premier Grand Masters) partnering either another Grand Master or a Premier Life Master.
(C) Premier Life Masters Pairs for the Premier Life Masters Trophy This event is open to Premier Life Masters partnering either another Premier Life Master or a Life Master.
(D) Life Masters Pairs for the Maurice Blank Trophy This event is open to Life Masters (but not Premier Life Masters) partnering either another Life Master or a Premier National Master.
(E) National Masters Pairs for the Bridge Magazine Cup This event is open to National and/or Premier National Masters, or either of these playing with a Premier Regional Master.
(F) Regional Masters Pairs for the St Dunstan’s Plate This event is open to Regional and/or Premier Regional Masters, or either of these playing with a Premier Master.

Previous Results

2024 results
2023 results
2022 results
2021 results
2020 results
2019 results
2018 results
2017 results
2016 results
2015 results
2014 results
2013 results
2012 results
2011 results
2010 results
2009 results
2008 results
2007 results
Premier Grand Masters Pairs - a history
Grand Masters Pairs for the Harrison Gray Salver - a history
Premier Life Masters Pairs for the Premier Life Masters Trophy - a history
Life Masters Pairs for the Maurice Blank Trophy - a history
National Masters Pairs for the Bridge Magazine Cup - a history
Regional Masters Pairs for the St Dunstan’s Plate - a history

Find a partner/team mates

If you are looking for a partner or team mates for this competition, please use the new Partnership forum