The LCBA introduced a new competition in March 1998, entitled the Amateur Pairs. It was for the less experienced player, primarily restricted to players in Division 3 and below or non-league players ranked no higher than Star Master. The first competition was won by D REEVES and D YATES but there was no cup to award. Dennis Yates then presented a trophy in memory of his daughter - this trophy was awarded to subsequent competition winners and it was named the Amateur Cup.

After no competition in 2008 the format was changed and the trophy title amended to the Yates Cup. In the revised format, competitors for the Cup are players who are (or recently were) attending bridge classes - they sit East/West. Sitting North/South is an invited field of non-expert players.