The Gold Cup is the most prestigious Open Teams event in Britain, and is organised by Bridge Great Britain. It is knock-out throughout, and, prior to the semi-finals, all matches are played privately.  It dates back to 1932. The original trophy, still awarded today, was presented by Bridge Magazine. At the time it cost 100 guineas

Green Points are awarded for each win

Matches in Round 1  are of 32 boards (though this may be increased to 40 or 48 by prior agreement between the two Captains). This helps considerably when fixing matches, which can be played in the evening. Matches in Rounds 2-4 are of 48 boards.

8 teams are seeded  and exempt from Round 1. This gives the other teams a better opportunity of winning early rounds, and a better chance of gaining Green Points. 

 ♠ THERE IS NO EXTRA CHARGE FOR THE SILVER PLATE FOR PLAYERS WHO HAVE COMPETED IN THE GOLD CUP. THE CHARGE FOR ADDITIONAL PLAYERS IN THE SILVER PLATE IS £10 PER PLAYER. 

♠   Completely new teams are not permitted to enter the Silver Plate (only losing teams from the  first two rounds of the  Gold Cup)

♠   The Silver Plate is administered by the EBU.

♠  Scottish teams who lose in Rounds 1 and 2 are eligible to play in the Scottish Gold Plate for the Marion Hill Trophy at no extra charge.  The winner of that competition will join the Silver Plate at the Quarter Final Stage.

Bridge Great Britain was formed following the devolution of the British Bridge League into its individual unions at the end of 1999. At that time, the English, Scottish and Welsh Bridge Unions won the right to have teams representing them in European and World events, instead of playing as Great Britain. However, should bridge ever be represented in the Olympic Arena, it will be necessary for the countries to join together again and participate as Great Britain, since this is the body recognised by the International Olympic Committee.

How BBL became BGB

In addition to the need to have the infrastructure to select a representative team in this eventuality, there are two events which remain British rather than belonging to any one Union, notably the Gold Cup, which is the British Knock Out Teams of Four Championship and The Home International Series,comprising the Camrose, Lady Milne, Teltscher Trophy (Senior Camrose), Junior Camrose (U26) and Peggy Bayer (U21).

♥ How Wales won the Lady Milne for the first time in 1967

Bridge Great Britain is run by Committee - there is a Core Committee comprising three members, one from each of England, Scotland and Wales, and the full Committee, which meets annually, where the Core Committee members are joined by delegates from Northern Ireland and the Republic of Ireland. 

The British Simultaneous Pairs are administered by the EBU on behalf of England, Wales and Scotland. 

SIMS Results available here