CBAI Master Pairs – open to Master grades only.

It does not seem advisable to organise a large live event in current conditions, so we have (with regret) decided to hold the 2021 Master Pairs online.

The competition will be on RealBridge, over three sessions on the weekend of 11-12 December, with two sessions on the Saturday (starting at 11:00 and 15:30), and one on the Sunday (starting at 11:00). The format will be the normal one for this event – three straight Swiss sessions, with IMP scoring and VP conversions. If you have not played on RealBridge before, we would strongly advise you to have a trial run before the competition. The platform differs from BBO in that it provides a camera and a microphone (which must be used by all players); in the format we will be using, players should self-alert their own bids and type in explanations just as they do on BBO. RealBridge provides a camera test facility to let you confirm that your equipment is suitable, and also offers short taster sessions as a trial to allow new users to get used to the platform – check their website here for details of the upcoming taster sessions.

You should enter via the CBAI online entry system; please note that entries will close on Thursday 9 December at 17:00. Entries after that time will be accepted only at the discretion of the Tournament Director, and no commitment is given in that regard. The entry fee is €20 per player, so €40 per pair, and will need to be paid IN ADVANCE by calling the CBAI office (01-4929666) and paying by credit card. It would be greatly appreciated if you would pay as a pair rather than individually, please. All entrants MUST be paid-up members of a CBAI-affiliated club, or, for those overseas, their equivalent NBO. All accepted entrants will receive a link to the RealBridge competition at some stage on the Friday, so please make sure we have a valid email address for at least one of your pair. Anyone who hasn’t paid the entry fee, or is not properly affiliated, will not receive the playing link.