Updated September 2025 EBU Stratified Events run like any other EBU event – all participants are part of the same field, and may play against each other. A single result list is produced, but players who have a lower Master Point ranking, so meet certain stratification criteria, are highlighted on the result list so that they can be identified. Lower ranked pairs/teams can therefore compare their scores with both the overall results, and also with the results of those with a comparable ranking. Those who do best amongst those in the lower stratifications are usually awarded additional prizes and Master Points.
Stratifications
Stratification levels are defined as follows:
Stratification level for players
- 'A’: a Premier Life Master or above; or NGS grade ‘Ace’ or adult international.
- ‘B’: a Premier Regional Master or above, and not stratification level ‘A’.
- ‘C’: not a Premier Regional Master or above (and not stratification level ‘A’).
Stratification level for Pairs
The higher of the stratification level of the two players.
Stratification level for Teams
- ‘A’: at least one member of the team is stratification level ‘A’.
- ‘B’: at least two members of the team are stratification level ‘B’, and none are ‘A’.
- ‘C’: at most one member of the team is stratification ‘B’, and none are ‘A’.
Ranks are based on points earned, regardless of whether registered or not, on the first day of play. Players originally from overseas, and others with significant master points records outside of England, are normally treated as though they are at least of Premier Life Master rank – i.e. they are category ‘A’ players. See Stratification Exemptions.
Whilst these ranks are used by the EBU in its events (excluding: the Club Stratified Sim Pairs, where four categories are used; and the Really Easy Afternoon where NGS is used to create two stratifications), they may differ in events organised by clubs, counties or other NBOs.
Master Point awards
Master Point awards are quoted for the overall ‘A’ + ‘B’ + ‘C’ stratification ranking list only. The top award for the ‘B’ + ‘C’ category is 50% of the top award for the ‘overall’ category, and the minimum award for that category is 50% of the minimum award in the overall category. Likewise, in the ‘C’ list the maximum and minimum awards are 25% of that quoted for the overall list.
Prizes
Pairs are limited to one prize per pair, which shall be the highest one available to them. Any prize so released will be awarded to the next pair in line in the appropriate category. Therefore, the number of prizes quoted will always be awarded to the leading ‘B’ + ‘C’ and ‘C’ ranked pairs who finish outside the main prize list.