RealBridge, 27th – 30th December 2021
This online congress will be held between Christmas and New Year over four days. The Swiss Teams and Swiss Pairs are both stratified events.
Jack High Swiss Pairs: In order to qualify to play in this event, you must have an NGS of no higher than ‘Jack’ at the time of entering. We reserve the right to decline entries from those who may meet the NGS requirements, but have significant tournament experience and are not among the 'congress-novices' at whom the event is aimed.
9-High Improvers Pairs: In order to qualify to play in this event, you must have an NGS of no higher than ‘Nine’ as of 23rd December. Taking place on Thursday 30th December, 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. There will be two sessions of 18 boards, morning and afternoon. Players may enter one or both sessions. Enter via the Kent CBA website.
Hybrid Sessions: our planned Mixed Pairs and Open Pairs events on Wednesday 29th at various venues around the country will no longer be taking place, due to the Covid situation.
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
For the 9-High Improvers Pairs, please enter via the Kent CBA website.
Players below the rank of Premier Regional Master may enter the two-day Swiss Pairs for a special half-price rate of £33.50
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.
We have been working hard to keep bridge going over the last 18 months, but with the pandemic still affecting everything, we also need to work hard to keep the EBU going financially. Despite taking advantage of all government support that has been available, making a number of staff redundant and cutting costs everywhere we can, we will still be using our reserves at an unsustainable rate. With the furlough scheme coming to an end shortly 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.
| Day | Times | Description |
|---|---|---|
| Day 1: Monday | 11.00am - 2.15pm | Session 1 Stratified Swiss Pairs (three x 8-boards) |
| 3.00pm - 6.00pm | Session 2 Stratified Swiss Pairs (three x 8-boards) | |
| Day 2: Tuesday | 11.00am - 2.15pm | Session 3 Stratified Swiss Pairs (three x 8-boards) |
| 3.00pm - 6.00pm | Session 4 Stratified Swiss Pairs (three x 8-boards) | |
| 11.00am - 1.45pm | Jack High Swiss Pairs 1 (three x 6-board matches) | |
| 2.45pm - 5.30pm | Jack High Swiss Pairs 2 (three x 6-board matches) | |
| Day 3: Wednesday | 11.00am - 2.15pm | Mixed or Open Pairs, session 1 |
| 3.00pm - 6.00pm | Mixed or Open Pairs, session 2 | |
| Day 4: Thursday | 11.00am - 1.50pm | Stratified Swiss Teams (three x 7-boards), session 1 |
| 2.30pm - 6.10pm | Stratified Swiss Teams (four x 7-boards), session 2 | |
| 11.30am - 1.45pm | 9-High Improvers Pairs (session 1) | |
| 2.30pm - 4.45pm | 9-High Improvers Pairs (session 2) |
| Number of Days Playing | Price Per Person |
|---|---|
| One Day | £35 |
| Two Days | £67 |
| Three Days | £98 |
| Four Days | £130 |
| Jack High Swiss Pairs | £25 |
| 9-High Pairs | BB$ 5 (per player, per session) Players may enter one or both sessions via the Kent CBA website. |
Master Points
All of the congress events are fully Green Pointed.
Agreements
Level 4 agreements are permitted in all of the main congress events. Level 2 agreements are permitted in the Jack High Swiss Pairs. System cards can now be uploaded via your My EBU using the "Utilites" - "System Card" tool.
Venue and Tariff
Due to Covid-19, this event will be held via online bridge platform RealBridge
*RealBridge
RealBridge is the online bridge platform now used by the EBU for all its online congress-type events. Its most distinctive feature is that it uses your computer's camera and microphone to provide video and audio of the players at the table, aiming to replicate the experience of playing face to face and give improved security.
Mixed Pairs and Open Pairs Club Venues now cancelled
Find a partner/team mates
If you are looking for a partner or team mates for this congress, please email comps@ebu.co.uk