Author Topic: BuyIn with 2 Pc's  (Read 1796 times)

MickejMouse

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BuyIn with 2 Pc's
« on: November 07, 2013, 12:15:45 PM »
Is there a way that i could use 1 TD program but use 2 laptops to buy in my players? It could speed up the process?

Also (i couldn't find it) i want to use multiple screens (more than 2) to show the clock but i don't really know how to set this up :(

Magic_fubu

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Re: BuyIn with 2 Pc's
« Reply #1 on: November 07, 2013, 01:37:50 PM »
I know others have used more than two screens to show the clock, but I'm not one of them. As far as using two laptops to do buy ins, you can, but not in the way you'd expect it to. If you're looking for one to buy in, and send info to the other seamlessly, it's not going to happen. but if you save the tournament and add the players to the other, then it would work (to my knowledge, at least).

If I'm not mistaken, I think JodyBingo would be helpful in this matter, too.
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jodybingo

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Re: BuyIn with 2 Pc's
« Reply #2 on: November 08, 2013, 05:52:45 PM »
it isn't efficient.
here is my recommendation (keep in mind the 2 laptop must be close so that the 2 people can communicate).

1 - Set up TD on a desktop with a decent graphic card. one of the outputs will be to a monitor and the other will be to a splitter. From the splitter you can hook up many splitters or just the 2 screens you speak of. using many splitters will require you to add a booster.

2 - Set up the desktop with a VNC server. TeamViewer or TightVNC are both free and work very well.
3 - Install the same VNC software into each laptop.

Both laptops will connect to the desktop via VNC. Only one person can enter information at a time however using this method, when both laptop users time their own work, it can accelerate the buy-in period.

I used this system once and for the most part it worked well, but when one of my employees decided they wanted work differently it screwed things up.

Another option;
Use only one laptop for registration. This laptop will accept only players that are currently in the database. The second laptop will be responsible for entering new players. To do so you must create a new data store on the second laptop and set the db folder to the one on the first laptop. The first laptop will have to refresh the DB when a player has just entered their info in the DB. This will make entering players into the tourney faster because there isn't any info to enter for the player.

If you have any further questions don't hesitate to ask :)
Jody

luigy22

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Re: BuyIn with 2 Pc's
« Reply #3 on: November 24, 2013, 11:31:34 AM »
Hi guys,
I have done it before but using a very different and at least to me simple way.
I actually used that time 4 pc. None of them had TD installed LOL. I just open excel, set the fields I needed, and process close to 500 buyins, people invited made 4 lines, just gave name, email, I added it buyin BUT SAVED IN CSV FORMAT.
When all or close to all of them finish their buyin, I use a usb memory to save each file and put them all togheter in ONE file, then just went to my TD, load the tourney and import file.
I hope I explain myself. Work well as I test before, so I didnt expect any errors.
Just to point out, I run usually 60 players tourneys every 3-4 months but once a year we try as many players as possible. Before using excel I had to open a few days earlier registration, either receiving buyins, bank deposit and of course open registry at least 1 hr prior to tournament.
Last time we ask 4 beatiful girls to do the above, people show up, very fast, pleople were glad. Some of the players knew how this would work so they only had to wait until I loaded the tourney to have total number of buyins, prizes and seating.
And of course, I had to buyin directly late registry, you know those guys waiting until last minute or sitting at the bar.

Stuart Murray

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Re: BuyIn with 2 Pc's
« Reply #4 on: November 25, 2013, 05:49:44 AM »
Luigi's answer would be of a similar way I would do multiple registration points.  I would have a version of TD on each machine, buying in the players, then I would export the players to CSV from the registration points to the Main Computer, either cutting and pasting all the entries onto a CSV sheet as Luigi suggests or importing all the players into one tournament.

If you have each computer set-up on a network with sharing enabled, you will be able to directly access each tournament from the main computer.  I also use VNC to control multiple computers over different levels of the casino's I use so they can have a VGA extended display and announcements sounding in the location of each tier of tables.  I also take an old Wifi Router with me to use as a private network so I can control the computers without interference from other devices accessing the internet via the casino's wifi, or alternatively I have used an iPad with Personal Hotspot enabled so the computers can also have 3G/4G internet access.

Another method I used on saturday which was slightly different, was at a National Final.  I had 157 qualifiers for the event and have around 89-92% turnout, so all the names were registered on the machine, then they registered at a table, with their name being highlighted on the sheets.  Once registration was closed the no shows (the ones that were not highlighted) are simply withdrawn from the tournament before the seating draw is done, which is a good way if you have the qualifiers and know you will have a high turnout.

Your best option for displaying the clock on more than one screen is to use a VGA 1 to 4 splitter (providing the displays are within around a 50m radius (20m or longer VGA cables degrade the signal very quickly))  For longer cable runs you need to look at VGA to Ethernet to VGA set-ups which is the least expensive and most efficient way of carrying a high quality display long distances.

If you want to get sound round different cardrooms, simple Aux splitters work without issue. And Aux cables can run a very long distance without degradation, the cost of very long AUX cables is relatively inexpensive also.  If it is just one cardroom though you should look at having a high powered speaker system (100w+) that will get the sound round enough to be heard by all.
« Last Edit: November 25, 2013, 06:01:15 AM by Stuart Murray »
Stuart Murray