Tourney On-Time Chip Bonus & Software (10 Viewers)

[Frode789]

Why didn't you post this detail a just a day or two earlier! Now I have to see if I regret my purchase of Tournament Director

haha. I imagined you had checked out blindvalet after I wrote it. It does say real-time sync across all devices + all the other details on the front page Most features are free as well.

 

[v1pe]

haha. I imagined you had checked out blindvalet after I wrote it. It does say real-time sync across all devices + all the other details on the front page Most features are free as well.

Yeah I did check it out. I wasn't immediately grabbed by it after poking around for a few minutes so I skipped over it.

I think what turned me off was the interface for setting up a custom blinds schedule. Seemed painful that I had to set every field manually. But if it's robust enough a one time setup would be worth the pain. I'll check it out later for sure. Do you pay for the service?

 

[WedgeRock]

You can view everything you need! While they are taking a dump on the toilet during break, they can browse their phone and look at the leaderboard, next levels etc.

You have 5 different tabs:
- First is blind schedule, start stacks etc,
- Second is players registered (and later eliminated players), also leaderboard and stack sizes.
- Third is seating info for all your tables (so they can easily check on their own phones what table & seat they have).
- Fourth is total prizepool, payout structure etc.
- And finally fifth is of course the clock, with time elapsed, time until next break, the next levels, current level, payout, leaderboard and avg. stack.

I have a big screen (that I cast from my PC), with the clock on, and I just use my phone to eliminate players, swap seats for tables, enter stack sizes etc.

When they have the password and link to the club, they can also view further scheduled tournaments and register directly on blindvalet for the tournament.

I played around with blind valet a little.

First, I don't like that I can't manually seat. Now a huge deal, I guess. We usually randomly seat using Excel then publish the seating chart a week before the tournament. I guess Blind Valet could replace Excel for the random seating.

I don't like that I can't put manual percentages in for my payouts. We rake 10% of buyins only for the Championship event (rebuys are not raked), then have set percentages based on the size of the tournament. I can manually enter dollar amounts, but I can't input these parameters and have it constantly update payouts throughout the tournament.

Can I dump results to a .csv after a tournament ends? Without that, I'd be creating a bunch more work to update the website.

I also don't like the monthly subscription model...

 

[k9dr]

I have been happy with Blind Valet except for 2 issues:

1) I have had the time clock crash during a tournament on more than one occasion. I'm not sure if it is a software or bandwidth problem. It resets easily but it may be a while before I notice it.

2) It does not allow for bounties in the buy in - they need to be tracked separately.

I have not used the paid subscription version, only the free one.

 

[Frode789]

Yeah I did check it out. I wasn't immediately grabbed by it after poking around for a few minutes so I skipped over it.

I think what turned me off was the interface for setting up a custom blinds schedule. Seemed painful that I had to set every field manually. But if it's robust enough a one time setup would be worth the pain. I'll check it out later for sure. Do you pay for the service?

Ah okay. It doesn't take that long really, and then you can save your layouts as different templates. Works well once it is up.

Yes I pay for it. A few additional features that are nice, and I want to support the developer to keep improving it. 21 EUR for a full year is well worth it for me.

I played around with blind valet a little.

First, I don't like that I can't manually seat. Now a huge deal, I guess. We usually randomly seat using Excel then publish the seating chart a week before the tournament. I guess Blind Valet could replace Excel for the random seating.

I don't like that I can't put manual percentages in for my payouts. We rake 10% of buyins only for the Championship event (rebuys are not raked), then have set percentages based on the size of the tournament. I can manually enter dollar amounts, but I can't input these parameters and have it constantly update payouts throughout the tournament.

Can I dump results to a .csv after a tournament ends? Without that, I'd be creating a bunch more work to update the website.

I also don't like the monthly subscription model...

- You can It is super easy. All players register (either themselves or you can do it), then you simply click draw seats. Then you can move players manually/add new tables etc. It is under the paid plan.
View here:


- True. Then again the developer is very open to suggestions (I have had a few minor details added), so simply sending him a mail and I'm sure he would add such a minor thing

- Yes, you can export it to csv file.

 

[Frode789]

I have been happy with Blind Valet except for 2 issues:

1) I have had the time clock crash during a tournament on more than one occasion. I'm not sure if it is a software or bandwidth problem. It resets easily but it may be a while before I notice it.

2) It does not allow for bounties in the buy in - they need to be tracked separately.

I have not used the paid subscription version, only the free one.

1) Odd. I haven't experienced this, and I've been using it for almost a year. Long ago that you tried it? It was relaunched in 2017.

2) Send him a mail about it

 

[k9dr]

1) Odd. I haven't experienced this, and I've been using it for almost a year. Long ago that you tried it? It was relaunched in 2017.

2) Send him a mail about it

Yes, it crashed the last tourney I ran a few weeks ago. I will send an email.

 

[CdnBeerLover]

Based on what I've seen so far under the free version, you don't have to manage players or balance tables using BV.

Biggest issue I've seen is that the timer is off by 1-2 sec based on clients on the same network (Android is consistently ahead of PC clients), which is slightly offputting when the main timer is on a pc, and a second screen is on a tablet in the same room. With other timers, I've used remote viewers (Teamviewer or VNC), but was hoping to avoid that.

 

[Frode789]

FYI: Both bounties and manual % calculation on the payout is on the todo list, estimated to come in the new release in Oct/Nov (along with a clock UI refresh). I asked.

 

[upNdown]

like if you entered the players who were on time into a drawing for bonus chips versus just giving away bonus chips to all who me

Oh I like this. I've voiced my dissatisfaction with on-time bonuses before, so I won't get into that. But I can get onboard with this - put all the on-time players into a draw or a flip and give away one bonus. I like it.

 

[WedgeRock]

Oh I like this. I've voiced my dissatisfaction with on-time bonuses before, so I won't get into that. But I can get onboard with this - put all the on-time players into a draw or a flip and give away one bonus. I like it.

If the purpose of an on-time bonus is to encourage prompt attendance, does this help accomplish that goal?

The more people that are on time, the less chance you have of getting the bonus.

 

[johnnycnote]

I like PokerDIY (PokerDIY.com)...it's free and doesn't require an internet connection if you install it locally. On the downside, it requires Windows and Silverlight. And you will require an older browser (or Firefox ESR) to do the initial install.

If you have an internet connection, blindvalet.com is quite nice and free.

I can't speak to other platforms (Mac, etc).

Blindvalet is easy, has all the features we need, and it's free. Plus you can control the clock, bust outs, re-buys, ect right from your mobile device during live game play.

 

[Poker Zombie]

Since this is focusing mostly on blind timers...

I'm assembling another cash game set, though we host at most 1 cash game a year (actually closer to 2 every 3 years). I want a blind timer than can handle fracs. BV failed. Poker DIY failed. Travis Poker failed. Before I drop monies on a better timer to find out that it fails, can anyone test theirs to see if it handles .25 / .50 blinds, and later 1 / 2 with a .25 ante?

I'm aware I can just "ignore" zeros thus $1/$2 with .25 ante could read 100 / 200 / 25, but that feels amateurish to me. I could also do 1 / 2 / 25 and let logic dictate when 25 means cents or dollars, but again, would prefer better.

 

[WedgeRock]

On blindvalet, I assume I can "run" the tournament from my phone and then just screencast it to a monitor. Is that correct? What is required for the "real-time synchronization across all devices" feature? Does the phone simply have to be on the same wifi network, do they log in to the club (such that even a data connection (off wifi) would work)?

 

[WedgeRock]

I'm assembling another cash game set, though we host at most 1 cash game a year (actually closer to 2 every 3 years). I want a blind timer than can handle fracs.

Blind timer for a cash game?

Before I drop monies on a better timer to find out that it fails, can anyone test theirs to see if it handles .25 / .50 blinds, and later 1 / 2 with a .25 ante?

Poker Genie handles fracs. They aren't available on Amazon... I don't know if they are still being produced, but I'm sure you can find them on eBay.

Or this:

I'm aware I can just "ignore" zeros thus $1/$2 with .25 ante

.25-.50 = 25-50
1-2-.25 = 100-200-25

 

[CraigT78]

1) Odd. I haven't experienced this, and I've been using it for almost a year. Long ago that you tried it? It was relaunched in 2017.

2) Send him a mail about it

Yes, it crashed the last tourney I ran a few weeks ago. I will send an email.

I've experienced the same issue as @k9dr and contacted the developer. He responded that the issue could be with iOS. His response is below.

I know there is an issue with iOS that backgrounds the browser which disconnects the but doesn’t let my code see the disconnect. So that can cause issues with synchronization on iPhones and iPads. I don’t know of an issue with freezes on PC. But if the clock is running and it freezes for some reason, if you refresh the browser and reconnect to the tournament it will still be running. (The clock keeps ticking even if there are no devices displaying it).

He also told me he is working on a new release in the next few weeks/month so that is exciting.

 

[Poker Zombie]

Blind timer for a cash game?

Sorry, must not have been clear. It's a set of cash game chips (with fracs), but will use it for tournaments.

Computer based timers are preferred, as the computer streams to 5 different monitors.

 

[Frode789]

On blindvalet, I assume I can "run" the tournament from my phone and then just screencast it to a monitor. Is that correct? What is required for the "real-time synchronization across all devices" feature? Does the phone simply have to be on the same wifi network, do they log in to the club (such that even a data connection (off wifi) would work)?

No problem to cast it from your phone. For example using chrome cast. You share the link (and password) to the club. Then they simply login. It does not need to be the same network,as long as they have a internet connection.

 

[WedgeRock]

I have a smart TV that just connects with Android's screencast... No Chromecast in the middle necessary.

And at least until I update the wifi situation (I have the router, but I also have a ton more projects of higher priority), multiple connections downgrade the wifi signal... Being able to connect with any data connection would be helpful in the short term. Then again, I'm not likely hosting another tournament until the sprint, so I might have it worked out by then.

 

[MrCatPants]

If the purpose of an on-time bonus is to encourage prompt attendance, does this help accomplish that goal?

The more people that are on time, the less chance you have of getting the bonus.

You are assuming that humans are rational actors who calculate the possible outcomes and always make the best choice, based on data. Dangerous assumption.

For instance, if people got a small bump on their starting stack for an on-time bonus (guaranteed) - let's call it 500 chips on a stack of 10,000 - there'd be a certain level of behavior modification. If you told them they'd have a chance among all players who are on time for a slightly larger but still not imbalancing bump (say, 1K or 1.5K), you'd likely see a stronger behavior positive behavior change over a large sample of events - with less total "bonus" chips being spread amongst the players. You'd probably even see a similar level of behavior for a chance at the same bump.

Humans are really bad when it comes to chance, sunk costs, and to delays as well.

 

[v1pe]

Oh I like this. I've voiced my dissatisfaction with on-time bonuses before, so I won't get into that. But I can get onboard with this - put all the on-time players into a draw or a flip and give away one bonus. I like it.

I missed the dissenting opinion about on time bonuses?

Even an "always late guy" like me can get behind them. Why don't you care for them?

 

[Steve Birrer]

Here's my two cents on on time bonuses. I don't want to reward somebody for showing up when they are supposed to in the first place. So I just do like a casino. At game time we take our seats and start playing. If you aren't here you still get cards and pay blinds and get mucked. Want to waste your money ok by me. But I am not rewarding people for doing what is expected in the first place.

Now that said we rarely start on the prescribed time. Our game is always at 7 but by the time we actually start to deal its more like 7:15/

 

[upNdown]

I missed the dissenting opinion about on time bonuses?

Even an "always late guy" like me can get behind them. Why don't you care for them?

Just the idea that a tournament is about everybody starting with the same amount.

 

[Steve Birrer]

Just the idea that a tournament is about everybody starting with the same amount.

This. Its why I won't play in a casino tourney that offers bonus chips to guys who sit and play cash games before hand. They have every right to do that...its their casino. And I have every right to not play there. I think there are plenty of perks you can offer guys to play in your poker room but giving them chip bonuses for a tournament is garbage in my book.

 

[v1pe]

This. Its why I won't play in a casino tourney that offers bonus chips to guys who sit and play cash games before hand. They have every right to do that...its their casino. And I have every right to not play there. I think there are plenty of perks you can offer guys to play in your poker room but giving them chip bonuses for a tournament is garbage in my book.

I definitely don't agree with a policy that gives you bonus for playing in cash games, but I think it's reasonable to provide one to incentivize showing up on time. Will have to see how it goes and what my players reactions are.

 

[v1pe]

I guess I could just be a hardliner too and start blinding people out who don't show on time. My issues with that is that I usually allow late registration since I almost always do a rebuy structure. I figure if I'm allowing late registration and rebuy it doesn't make sense to start dealing people in until they get there.

 

[upNdown]

Right. There's no perfect solution. So you figure out what works best for you and your players, and go with that.

 

[MrCatPants]

I guess I could just be a hardliner too and start blinding people out who don't show on time. My issues with that is that I usually allow late registration since I almost always do a rebuy structure. I figure if I'm allowing late registration and rebuy it doesn't make sense to start dealing people in until they get there.

Gotta agree with that logic.

 

[Poker Zombie]

TDA rules...

7: Alternates, Late Registration, & Re-Entries
Alternates, players registering late, and re-entries will be sold full stacks, randomly seated at any position, and dealt in except between SB and button.

Late arrivals deserve full stacks. If they pre-pay, they have technically arrived and their stacks can be blinded. Otherwise, just offer a bonus to arrive early.

Or offer food. It's probably been 6 years since I had a player show up late.

 

[detroitdad]

TDA rules...


Late arrivals deserve full stacks. If they pre-pay, they have technically arrived and their stacks can be blinded. Otherwise, just offer a bonus to arrive early.

Or offer food. It's probably been 6 years since I had a player show up late.

You cook dinner and I'll gladly show up ridiculously early to help you prep and snack