This event will be held online via RealBridge in 2021.
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 2020, 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.
Categories
Changes since 2019
This year, for the purpose of the movements, we will merge the Premier Life Masters (C) with the Life Masters (D), and the National Masters (E) with the Regional Masters (F). We will still have ranking lists for each group and award trophies, prizes and Master Points within those groups, but you will be playing in a larger field with more opponents and comparisons, which we hope will be welcomed by most players.
(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.
These competitions are contested through a merged field
(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.
These competitions are contested through a merged field
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, or email comps@ebu.co.uk.
Congress Prices
The prices for our online congresses and competitions are significantly lower than they would have been face to face (about 20% less), but reflect the fact that green-pointed events always attract a premium. Players are also saving a significant amount of money in travel and accommodation costs.
We have been working hard to keep bridge going since last March, but with no end to the pandemic expected soon, we also need to work hard to keep the EBU going. Despite taking advantage of all government support that has been available, making a number of staff redundant and cutting costs everywhere we can, we are still using our reserves at an unsustainable rate. With the furlough scheme coming to an end this will only get worse.
Competitions are one way of raising the money necessary for the EBU's survival and we will be following this pricing strategy for all our online congresses and major competitions.
Holders
2020
Premier Grand Masters Pairs - David Debbage & Paul Hackett
Grand Masters Pairs - Shahzaad Natt & Richard Hillman
Premier Life Masters Pairs - Giles Ip & Gabriel Ip
Life Masters Pairs - David Sherman & Peter Hasenson
National Masters Pairs - David Wright & David Fletcher
Regional Masters Pairs - Oliver Cowan & Stephen Berson
Timetable
Timetable |
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All events start at 11.30am on Saturday and Sunday |
Entry Fees
(A) Ranked Masters Pairs £58 per player |
(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. |
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
2021: RealBridge
RealBridge is a new online bridge platform currently undergoing extensive testing among clubs and national organisations across the world. Its most distinctive feature is that it uses your computer's camera and microphone (if it has them) to provide video and audio of the players at the table, aiming to replicate the experience of playing face to face.