Not really impressed with tournament director software. Any interest in this? (2 Viewers)

[Jake14mw]

To me there are two distinct pieces to something like the Tournament Director Software. The basic piece is the blinds timer. A configurable blinds schedule and timer. Then the other piece is the tournament/player management side. Storing player info, managing table seating, and tournament info, and historical data.

Also, in my opinion, a key feature is the ability of the user to customize the display EASILY. It would be nice to be able to drag and drop data elements into the display space, and be able to resize each element by clicking the edges and dragging. Or do it by whatever means is easy for non-techies. I prefer the most prominent display to be the current blinds, not the countdown clock. Everyone has different opinions as to what should display most prominently.

One thing that would be very cool - Some of us like to have a sporting event on at the same time, but don't have multiple large display devices. Is there any way to integrate a TV video stream into the display? Maybe the sporting event is in the lower right, and the tournament info in the upper and left sections for example?

 

[wmcstudios]

Side note - thank you for all the feedback on this. Please continue to drop any info, other apps, screenshots, recommendations and more here. It's super helpful in formulating a plan!

 

[wolfpack]

Back in 05 when I was running a league I buikt my own tournament software. Built my own becuase I also hosted a league website and I made the software database in such a way that after a tournament I was able to just upload the database To the host server and the website would be updated with the new data. Results, player profiles, the whole 9 yards.

 

[wmcstudios]

To me there are two distinct pieces to something like the Tournament Director Software. The basic piece is the blinds timer. A configurable blinds schedule and timer. Then the other piece is the tournament/player management side. Storing player info, managing table seating, and tournament info, and historical data.

Also, in my opinion, a key feature is the ability of the user to customize the display EASILY. It would be nice to be able to drag and drop data elements into the display space, and be able to resize each element by clicking the edges and dragging. Or do it by whatever means is easy for non-techies. I prefer the most prominent display to be the current blinds, not the countdown clock. Everyone has different opinions as to what should display most prominently.

One thing that would be very cool - Some of us like to have a sporting event on at the same time, but don't have multiple large display devices. Is there any way to integrate a TV video stream into the display? Maybe the sporting event is in the lower right, and the tournament info in the upper and left sections for example?

All good recommendations, thank you! The user-customizable piece might be a bit difficult... but a few layout options should be doable, though maybe not in a first version. The embedded streaming option might be difficult with a phone/tablet app, given things like MPAA/DRM compliance and keycloak UAA authentication. My time budget may not allow for that deep of a development process... but I could share the git repository to an old boss of mine who actually worked on Netflix's keycloak UAA. It might require direct communication and authorization with streaming platforms that, given the nature of whether or not their brand would endorse "gambling". That would be something I'd only pursue if the app became profitable.

 

[wmcstudios]

This is what I'm thinking to start with:

App will be freemium. Additional pro features listed below.

Main Menu
- Game Setup
-- Type (Sub-Option View: NL/PL/L + HE/O/OHL/SCS/SCSHL/FCS/Etc)
-- Structure (Sub-Option View: Starting Stacks, Buyin/Rebuy Amount, Placement Payout Structure)
-- Tables/Players (Goes to Players Menu below)
-- Blinds (Sub-Option View:Amount, Cash or Tourney Designation + Ante/Saddle)
-- Time Breakpoints/Limits (Sub-Option View: Blind Amount Breakpoints, Blind timer, Total Game Timer, Break Intervals)
-- View Selector (Sub-Option View: Blind-Focused, Game Time Focused, Blind Time Focused, Table-Focused, Rank-Focused + Dynamic Background Selector)
-- Game History (Sub-Option View: Game history by date or customizable name -> Rank, Tables, Players, Placement, Amounts, Etc)
-- Start Game (Goes to Live Game View)

Players Menu
- Player "Black Book"
- Player profile - enable avatar + name
- Set number of tables, table size (HU/4-10) and player placement/seating (Adds from Player Black Book)

Live Game View
- Pre-Stage Dashboard
-- "Player Seated" Checkmark (Allows the app to keep track of unseated player's blinds due if they sit after the game starts)
-- Set Starting Button Placement Per-Table (Able to be randomized?)
- START PLAY
-- Timer begins countdown
-- Option for game operator to advance button position on table view (affects unseated player blinds due)
-- Game operator can tap a player's avatar once seated to claim blinds-due
-- Switch Table Focus
-- Update Stack Counts (Pauses game timer or real-time option)
-- Start Break (Pauses game timer)
- GAME COMPLETE
-- Display Game Breakdown (Rank/Placement, Payouts, Number of Hands (counted by button advance)
-- Option to save or discard game record

**Failsafe Features
- Save last game state in case of app crash, resumes upon reopening app
- Reverse button position by game operator
- Reset timers or blind amounts

**Display Features (Maybe enabled as part of freemium)
- Phone/Tablet App can stream to TV using AirPlay or equivalent phone/tablet function. Allows device control and separate display view.
- For desktop application, computer can control in real-time and use a secondary display for players' view

**Future Premium (Pay) Features
- Forensic scrub of data
- Maybe include a bluetooth dealer button in the future, where the current dealer can punch the button to advance button position on the digital view... thinking something like this: https://bt.tn/ )
- Hand Tracking/Analysis
- Rake Tracking
- House Financial Management Reporting (Total Rakes, Profit/Loss, Etc)
- Report Exporting (XLS/CSV/QBO/QBE)
- Broadcast Options (An ATEM switcher feed for public display (omitting player hands) vs broadcast display (broadcasting player hands and percentages))
- This would make the software viable for casino use!

 

[Jake14mw]

All good recommendations, thank you! The user-customizable piece might be a bit difficult... but a few layout options should be doable, though maybe not in a first version. The embedded streaming option might be difficult with a phone/tablet app, given things like MPAA/DRM compliance and keycloak UAA authentication. My time budget may not allow for that deep of a development process... but I could share the git repository to an old boss of mine who actually worked on Netflix's keycloak UAA. It might require direct communication and authorization with streaming platforms that, given the nature of whether or not their brand would endorse "gambling". That would be something I'd only pursue if the app became profitable.

I'm sure you're right with the embedded streaming, that all makes sense. Maybe there is some way outside of your app to accomplish this. I do think that some method of layout customization is very important though. The Tournament Director already allows this. I know what you mean though, you have to walk before you can run!

It seems that the TD functions really well and provides all that is needed currently. You said "I may consider building an app with a visualizer, maybe an iTunes or Groove embedded player and some actual modern, well-designed UI." So, it sounds to me like your goal is to make it more modern looking? As I said, I will be watching with interest, I wish you the best with it. Thanks for giving it a go!

 

[wmcstudios]

I'm sure you're right with the embedded streaming, that all makes sense. Maybe there is some way outside of your app to accomplish this. I do think that some method of layout customization is very important though. The Tournament Director already allows this. I know what you mean though, you have to walk before you can run!

It seems that the TD functions really well and provides all that is needed currently. You said "I may consider building an app with a visualizer, maybe an iTunes or Groove embedded player and some actual modern, well-designed UI." So, it sounds to me like your goal is to make it more modern looking? As I said, I will be watching with interest, I wish you the best with it. Thanks for giving it a go!

That's the idea for sure - I want it to be a visually immersive part of the experience. Modern typographic layout and visual element balance, something that creates an active visual appeal that makes it a pleasing value-add for the experience (something like fractal lights or something of that sort... think "Tetris Effect":

 

[Frode789]

This is very interesting. I am following this..

I am decently happy with Blind Valet paid version (I've tried TD, but prefer BV), but there is lots of room for improvement and it would be very cool with some more competition here. I would easily pay a decent price for a quality software.

 

[OfficerLovejoy]

Yeah, the program executable has not been available online for years. There were a couple of other variants (mostly just logo and color differences) out there too, but last I checked all had vanished.

Yeah, I've had this programm forever and I really liked it. I still might have it on an old drive, but could you upload the file somewhere for easier access?

 

[CdnBeerLover]

Quite interested.

I have been using the PokerDIY timer on my computer for years, but like so many timers that came out during the poker boom, it has since been abandoned. I'm still quite happy (about 90% or so) with it, but it operates on Microsoft's SIlverlight framework, which Microsoft will stop supporting in October 2021. As such, the next time I upgrade my computer, MS may be on a new OS, and the PokerDIY timer won't work.

Knowing that I'm coming to the end of a road, along with the absence of free timers, makes this a mild stressor in my life. If you could make a new timer, I would be very thankful.

I'm in the same position. Right now, I'm planning to use either the Blinds Are Up android app on my tablet cast to a TV via Chromecast, or running on my laptop under the Bluestacks emulator. That said, I'm watching with interest.

 

[Jonesey07]

I use the Tournament Director, and it's by far my favorite. Does everything I could ask and more.

 

[Jake14mw]

This is very interesting. I am following this..

I am decently happy with Blind Valet paid version (I've tried TD, but prefer BV), but there is lots of room for improvement and it would be very cool with some more competition here. I would easily pay a decent price for a quality software.

What do you like better about Blind Valet than TD? Thanks.

 

[Frode789]

What do you like better about Blind Valet than TD? Thanks.

BV is very clean. Easy to use and it looks much better. Runs on any device. TD got that early 2000 look going and it isn't working for me (and the UI is a mess).
The sync between mobile and desktop (so I can control things from my phone) is brilliant and I would not do without it.

Of course TD is much more feature heavy, but not something that makes me want to use it over BV.
Now, if we could get something similar to BV (design/UI wise with sync with mobile units etc), but improved with more features from TD, I'm very much listening..

 

[ChipTalker]

agree with @Frode789 as those are the reason I prefer BV as well.

 

[SixSpeedFury]

I would say to look into BV, BP and TD and take ideas from those applications

 

[HobokenNJ]

I’m a designer and programmer by trade. I may consider building an app with a visualizer, maybe an iTunes or Groove embedded player and some actual modern, well-designed UI. If anyone is interested, I’ll make this an ongoing development thread and put together some UI design options.

If you've programmed in Lua / Love2D, you could have a look at improving/extending the project I was building. It is a blinds timer, but no tournament director-type features. The link is here: https://www.pokerchipforum.com/threads/quick-dirty-blinds-timer-v2.64783/

 

[Frode789]

Looking forward to updates on this..

 

[rusmon]

Question for those of you who use BlindsUp. I just bought one month of premium to test it out for a poker tournament I'm hosting on Friday. Everything looks great so far, but I can't figure out two things:
1. What does the "Select killer on bust" option do? I'm assuming it's to track who busted who?
2. I've set up a chip set, but can't figure out how to set up a Chip Race in the break section. Can anybody help with this?

In regards to a new app being developed, looking forward to seeing this idea come to fruition!

 

[Bluegrass Poker]

So any update or dead in the water? Thanks

 

[DeeVee8]

Question for those of you who use BlindsUp. I just bought one month of premium to test it out for a poker tournament I'm hosting on Friday. Everything looks great so far, but I can't figure out two things:
1. What does the "Select killer on bust" option do? I'm assuming it's to track who busted who?
2. I've set up a chip set, but can't figure out how to set up a Chip Race in the break section. Can anybody help with this?

In regards to a new app being developed, looking forward to seeing this idea come to fruition!

1. It shows a screen showing who was eliminated, and who busted them. You can add pics of players, which the players dig. I programmed it to play the Undertaker's theme in addition to the pics.
2. From the structure tab, click on "Add Break". Then choose "Chip Race" and select what denom is coming off the tables.

 

[brewdawg]

I have used TD extensively in the past and it does have all the features that most people would need, but there is also a steep learning curve to get it working correctly when you display on TVs.

Would love to have something with the capabilities but easier to use and project, and if there was a OSX version even better.

I have looked at BV in the past and one thing I didn't like is the monthly/annual billing. That can get pricy over the long run compared to TD which is a one-time purchase per major version, unless you are running a for-profit poker league/business

 

[Senzrock]

I have used TD extensively in the past and it does have all the features that most people would need, but there is also a steep learning curve to get it working correctly when you display on TVs.

Would love to have something with the capabilities but easier to use and project, and if there was a OSX version even better.

@Irish had a nice setup at his PCF meetup last weekend using tournament director

 

[Irish]

I have used TD extensively in the past and it does have all the features that most people would need, but there is also a steep learning curve to get it working correctly when you display on TVs.

Would love to have something with the capabilities but easier to use and project, and if there was a OSX version even better.

I have looked at BV in the past and one thing I didn't like is the monthly/annual billing. That can get pricy over the long run compared to TD which is a one-time purchase per major version, unless you are running a for-profit poker league/business

@Irish had a nice setup at his PCF meetup last weekend using tournament director

I run TD on a laptop and broadcast to 2 different TVs, so I can cover up to 3 rooms. I have the laptop hooked up to one TV via HDMI (duplicate desktop) and I use chrome and a Chromecast puck to cast the laptop desktop to the other TV (depending on the TV, you might not even need the puck anymore). If you need it on more TVs, you could always run an HDMI splitter. I'm not sure if you can cast to multiple devices at once, someone waaaaay more tech savvy would have to weigh in on that.

 

[Machine]

I’d like to make a contribution to the community as a new member if I can!

Ditto
I have extensive RDBMS skillz, happy to assist in any way I can. Could store payout history, or custom edit, minor reporting...

 

[CdnBeerLover]

I run TD on a laptop and broadcast to 2 different TVs, so I can cover up to 3 rooms. I have the laptop hooked up to one TV via HDMI (duplicate desktop) and I use chrome and a Chromecast puck to cast the laptop desktop to the other TV (depending on the TV, you might not even need the puck anymore). If you need it on more TVs, you could always run an HDMI splitter. I'm not sure if you can cast to multiple devices at once, someone waaaaay more tech savvy would have to weigh in on that.

The HDMI splitter is the most straightforward route.

Having a PC junkyard for an office comes in handy, as I use multiple laptops with VNC or TeamViewer (one per TV / Tablet).

 

[Irish]

The HDMI splitter is the most straightforward route.

Yep, that unfortunately didn't work for me as I'm already using an HMDI splitter to run cable to all the TVs in my room. For tourneys I put up a mix of sports / cable and the TD screens, so 3 TVs get the cable feed and 2 get the TD screen. I like to make things complicated lol.

 

[CrazyEddie]

stream your workstation live to youtube on a private channel and have all your smart TVs watch your stream

 

[CrazyEddie]

poker on twitch but instead of watching people play it's watching people's blinds timers

 

[trigs]

stream your workstation live to youtube on a private channel and have all your smart TVs watch your stream

poker on twitch but instead of watching people play it's watching people's blinds timers

That is actually a really simple and smart way to do it. I like it.

 

[Jake14mw]

stream your workstation live to youtube on a private channel and have all your smart TVs watch your stream

Sounds interesting. I don't know anything about streaming to youtube. Can you either explain how this is done, or link to something that does? I try to use Teamviewer, but I am sick of problems I keep getting.