24th - 26th May 2025, venue TBC
Spring Bank Holiday Congress
- featuring the Two Stars Pairs!
Venue TBC, 24th - 26th May 2025
The Spring Bank Holiday Congress will be held over the Spring Bank Holiday
TOURNAMENT DIRECTOR IN CHARGE: TBC
Following the success of last year’s congress, this event is again being run by Oliver Cowan on behalf of the EBU.
This 3 day event features the prestigious Two Stars Pairs and we have additional space this year meaning that each event will have it’s own playing area and the playing room we had this year will be less cramped!
The red-brick Crowne Plaza Reading is perfectly nestled amongst the trees on the bank of the River Thames. For those travelling by car, there will be free parking all weekend at the venue and for those coming by train, the hotel is just a 15 minute walk from the station. The hotel boasts a large playing room with lots of natural light provided by the multiple floor to ceiling windows with a view of the River.
The Saturday will see the traditional Swiss Pairs format qualifying event with the Two Stars Final and a consolation Swiss Pairs on the Sunday for both the non-qualifiers from Saturday and those who do not want to play in the main event. Finally on the Bank Holiday Monday, there will be a Swiss Teams. For those who want a more relaxed event, there will also be a ‘Jack High’ Swiss Pairs event which will be 2 sessions of 18 boards on the Saturday and ALL events on the weekend will have green points awarded.
Free parking, Tea, coffee & biscuits are all included throughout the bridge as well, of course, as the pick n mix sweets! For the main events each day, there will be an ample break to allow players to take the short walk into town for a meal. There will also be food available for purchase at the hotel and order forms will be available at the start of each day in order that food will be ready for the break.
If you will be late arriving to the venue, please call 07946 393033. Please do not send a text message as this will not be forwarded.
9 High Improvers Pairs Online - will be held on BBO and run by Kent CBA. It will be open to players who are NGS 9 & below on Saturday 24th May. This event is aimed at club players who are interested in taking the first steps into congress bridge but who may have found it daunting to jump straight into a major congress event.
The format will be two 18 board sessions with a break between the sessions. Players can play in either or both sessions. 10% of entry fees will be given as prizes in BBO$ and all proceeds will go to support junior bridge. Enter with Kent CBA.
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.
This event is being run by Oliver Cowan on behalf of the EBU, entries should be made directly with Oliver.
Entry for 2025 is not yet open.
To pay using EBU credit, please contact the accounts department in the EBU office who can arrange this.
Holders
2024
Two-Stars Pairs - Steve Root & John Atthey
Swiss Teams - Frederic Wrang, Gunnar Hallberg, Tracy Sherman & Stefan Lindfors
Swiss Pairs - Croz Croswell & Sharon Winton
Jack-High Swiss Pairs - Hiroko Plant & Bob Plant
9-High Improvers Pairs - Daniel Benison & Jo Lormor
| Day | Start Time | End Time | Description |
|---|---|---|---|
| SAT 24 | 13:00 | 16:00 | TWO STARS PAIRS QUALIFIER Session 1 (6 x 4 boards Swiss) |
| 17:00 | 20:00 | TWO STARS PAIRS QUALIFIER Session 2 (6 x 4 boards Swiss) | |
| 13:30 | 16:00 | JACK HIGH SWISS PAIRS Session 1 (Matches 1-3) | |
| 16:45 | 19:15 | JACK HIGH SWISS PAIRS Session 2 (Matches 4-6) | |
| SUN 25 | 11:00 | 14:00 | TWO STARS FINAL Session 1 (8 x 3 boards) |
| 15:00 | 18:30 | TWO STARS FINAL Session 2 (9 x 3 boards) | |
| 11:00 | 14:00 | SWISS PAIRS (Matches 1-3) | |
| 15:00 | 19:00 | SWISS PAIRS (Matches 4-7) | |
| MON 26 | 11:00 | 14:00 | SWISS TEAMS (Matches 1-3) |
| 11:00 | 13:15 | IMPROVERS PAIRS Session 1 | |
| 15:00 | 19:00 | SWISS TEAMS (Matches 4-7) | |
| 14:30 | 16:45 | IMPROVERS PAIRS Session 2 |
| Code | Event | Price |
|---|---|---|
| A | Two Stars Pairs & Swiss Teams | £142 (Early booking £136 if paid by 28th February) |
| B | Two Stars Pairs | £98 (Early Booking £93 if paid by 28th February) |
| C | Jack High Swiss Pairs | £30 |
| D | Swiss Pairs | £51 players not qualifying for Two Stars Final receive free entry |
| E | Swiss Teams | £51 |
| F | Swiss Pairs & Swiss Teams | £96 (£92 if paid by 28th February) |
| G | Jack High Swiss Pairs & Swiss Team | £75 |
| H | Improvers Pairs | BBO$5 per session paid via BBO on the day |
Entry fees are per player and should be made in advance. Please note, the above prices are for 2024. 2025 prices are still TBC
Master Points
All events are Green Pointed.
Agreements
Level 4 agreements are permitted in all events.
Improvers Pairs are Blue Pointed at Regional scale.
Venue and Tariff
The venue for 2025 is still TBC
Previous Winners
2024 - results
2023 - results
2022 - results
2021 - results
2020 - event not held
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
2006 results
Spring Bank Holiday Pairs - the history
Spring Bank Holiday Teams - the history
Find a partner/team mates
If you are looking for a partner or team mates for this competition, please use the Partnership forum