This 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 2019, 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 events.
The granting of free entry to those who had attained a landmark promotion was ended in 2016 for all except those attaining promotion to the rank of Master. If, in April 2016-July 2016 you received notification of a free entry to one of the Ranked Master Pairs events, and did not use it in 2017, then it can be used in 2018 - thereafter no free entries will be given. For entry to the Masters Pairs see the Masters Pairs webpage.
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.
Events A - D are system level 5; events E - F are level 4.
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
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 will allow a few players to play at a higher rank than formerly.
To enter
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 317203/19, or email comps@ebu.co.uk.
Holders
2018
Premier Grand Masters: Tony Waterlow & Waseem Naqvi
Grand Masters: John Atthey & Ankush Khandelwal
Premier Life Masters: Tom Dessain & Tugrul Kaban
Life Masters: Andrew Conway & Rob Corrie
National Masters: Heather Bakhshi & Claire Robinson
Regional Masters: Mike Vetch & John Dowbiggin
Masters: Eduard Malkhassyan & Kostadin Vasilev
Timetable
All events start at 2pm on Saturday and end between 3.30pm and 5.30pm on Sunday depending on numbers. |
Entry Fees
(A) Ranked Masters Pairs £71 per player |
(B) Masters Pairs £27 per player |
Members who have attained a landmark promotion to the rank of Master are entitled to free entry in the Masters Pairs. |
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.
Agreements
Events A - D are system level 5; events E - F are level 4.
Venue and Tariff
Venue for 2019
The Mercure Hotel, Sedgemoor Way, Daventry NN11 0SG
In order to take advantage of the following rates book via the EBU Accommodation Booking Service and call Bridge Overseas Freephone on: 0800 0346 246
Rates for 2019
DB&B £69 sharing; £79 single
A number of rooms are reserved for booking at this negotiated rate for a limited period of time. Any unbooked rooms are usually released for booking by the general public a few weeks before the event. Thereafter rooms may still be available, but at the hotel’s current rate. Likewise if all allocated rooms are booked then rooms may still be available, but at the hotel’s current rate. To ensure rooms are available at the negotiated rate please book as early as possible.
Things to do in and around Daventry