[jillybean]

I'm a stand in Director for a small, 8 table game.
At the end of the second round I notice the computer running ACBL score has performed an automatic update and is restarting.
I also notice the BridgeMate controller has no backup batteries so has lost power when the computer shut down and restarted.

[mycroft]

Oh that's awful.

Yeah, assuming you didn't bring in the results from the rounds (which I never do until the "one to go"es, because you can't fix scores on the bridgemate once it's been brought in) your only hope is BMR (maybe even delete and BMS) after reboot and have the players re-enter everything.

Pulling the bridgemate server after the game, and ensuring the red light comes on, and holding the off button down until it stops, every time, is a good check on dead batteries. Checking the batteries once a month or so visually to ensure they aren't corroding in there is also a good idea.

Good wishes from Puerto Vallarta (where the batteries in the Bridgemate server *do* work, thankfully).

[jillybean]

Not dead batteries, NO batteries.
A useful reminder to check the batteries used at our game.

I did use BMR and had the players reenter the scores from first 2 rounds. Thankfully, at least 1 person at each table has a completed score sheet.
Hand Records lost.

PV sounds like more fun. Please share some rulings

[mycroft]

Nothing to write home about; except it shouldn't take 3h30 to play 24 boards. But it does here I guess.

Several dealer's-RHO Pass out of turn, one "potentially not comparable" comparable call (that ended up going down 5 when partner lost his mind) and an action in the face of UI that turned a plus score into a minus.

And all the leads out of turn, revokes, ... that come with real cards and not computer bridge.

Having said that, my "no playbacks in 2-session pairs" movements might get me a mention in the Bulletin. At least he *says* it's going in the column. No more spoilers; I'll post if/when I see it...

[barmar]

mycroft, on 2025-February-14, 20:31, said:

Nothing to write home about; except it shouldn't take 3h30 to play 24 boards. But it does here I guess.

Did you post this in the intended thread? It doesn't seem to be related to Bridgemate battery problems.

[jillybean]

I beleive it was in response to my question. "PV sounds like more fun. Please share some rulings"

[jillybean]

@Mycroft
Now that our game has outgrown our Bridgemates we are looking at borrowing the surplus Bridge Mates from another club.

I believe we can keep adding BM's to the server - is there a limit?
Must the BM's have the same software level?

Any other issues?

thanks

[mycroft]

Bridgemates must be at the same firmware level yes. That hasn't changed in a few years, so I assume they all are. If they're not, get their server and run everything up to the latest (so that when they get their BMs back it will still work. They'll have to update the FW on the BMs they don't lend you).

They also need to be on the same *channel* (almost always zero, but check). That determines which server they should be talking to, in a huge room like the Nationals where there are two computers running the 11 different sections in the three events (which explains why it's "almost always" the default that has never been looked at, never mind changed). When you BMS, and the server connects in the control software, it will tell you which channel it's listening on; somewhere in the TD or setup menu you get to see on the 'mates.

Other than that, things just work. At tournaments, we frequently borrow 'mates from several clubs and everything Just Works.

[jillybean]

Other than that, things just work. At tournaments, we frequently borrow 'mates from several clubs and everything Just Works.

Fantastic, thanks

[mycroft]

As always, it's better to run up a "fake game" and test before the players arrive (especially here. I still get the shudders over a Christmas game I helped run where one (of 5) sections' mates had the wrong firmware, and we figured it out only after a couple of boards...Yes, you *can* update firmware in a running game. But it does mean that scores don't get recorded - on any mates, not just the ones being upgraded - until you're done (about 20 minutes, in our case)).

I like the "Mitchell, 3 tables, 3 rounds, 1 board/round" for this one.

[jillybean]

We would need to do a trial run before hand. No problem there, I've had my dining table set up with BM's practising setting up games and recovering from power outages etc many times.

On the day of our 1:15pm game, players start accumulating in the lounge adjacent to the bridge room from about noon.
We get into the bridge room to setup by about 12:30-12:40. A group of 5-6 Community Centre employees set up the 24 tables, chairs and desks for the Directors.
Another group of 5-6 players set up table mats, bidding boxes, pencils, BM's, score cards, table numbers*
I start setting up ACBL Score, connect Bridge Timer to the big screen TV, microphone, BM Controller etc. We open the doors around 1:05
I help players find their table or partner and herd any solo players into a waiting area.
My co-Director casually and calmly walks in around 1:13pm
On a good day the boards are being handed out by 1:15pm

* Table numbers. With 2 x 11-12 table sections and no pre registration we had a crush of players trying to get to their favorite table when the
doors opened. We purchased 2 colours (NS, EW) discs numbered 1-24. One or two brave players hand these out to the hoards of players waiting outside the doors.

The wood working group at the Community Centre have now supplied us with sanded wooden tokens which we have marked with Section, Direction and table number. We will use these for the first time next week, it should stop players asking where they find table 18