Has anyone else checked out the new beta version of BlindValet? It includes some interesting new features. There is a video walkthrough on the main page. Here are some highlights copied from the site:

Real-time synchronization across all devices

• Application web available on all devices through browser(desktop, mobile, tablet)
• Clock and all other data synchronized in real-time across all connected devices
• Tournament director can manage entire tournament from mobile device (control clock, eliminate players, balance tables, final table draw, etc)
• Participants can use web application to join club, register for tournaments, consult blind structure, connect to clock, etc.
• Mobile users will use mobile web browser(Chrome, Safari, etc.) for the beta, it will not be available in the app stores until the full release

Poker Clubs

• When you first connect to the new Blind Valet you must either create a club or join a club
• A tournament director will create a club and then can schedule tournaments for their club
• Participants can join a club with the Club ID and Password and see all scheduled tournaments
• Tournament director can register club members or ad-hoc players for tournaments
• Club members can register themselves for scheduled tournaments

No longer will you have to swivel around to see the clock behind you. No more cables running into another room to have a second clock. No more TDs getting up constantly to stop and start the clock, eliminate players, add buy-ins and add-ons, etc.

Haven't been able to use BV for months now, this happens every time I go to the URL:

This domain is blocked due to a security threat.

Too bad. Of course it isn't a threat. Likely a browser issue, so Google for a solution for the browser you are using.

In the past I have used BlindValet when setting up levels (verifying timings) and payouts. I am using the new version to setup an upcoming tournament I have on Friday.

Once I have everything set I program it into Tournament Director. I am hesitant to use a web enabled product as the Internet goes down and browsers crash. We also keep a history of all our tournaments (primarily to compare run-times, etc, we keep the stats private).

I have used BlindValet to run the tournament when the Tournament Director laptop was unavailable and I'm sure I'll use the new version in the future.

Grant

A nice thing about the new site is that the tournament is saved on the server. If you lose connection, you can connect again and everything is there. I set up a tournament and everything I log in, it's there ready to go.

Tried on multiple browsers and multiple locations (work, home, etc) and always the same result. It's likely not a threat per say, but their domain may have been hacked.

I have no problems using it from my Windows laptop with Chrome, or my Iphone with Chrome or Safari. So you got me. But it's not their domain.

What about others? Have you tried it? Can you reach it?

No problem here. Works well the 2 times we ran it. The fact that it saves the structure erases the only complaint I had.

Sent from my SM-N920V using Tapatalk

Saving the structure as well as game progress are two points I should have highlighted in my OP. Thanks.

I'm playing around with it and I notice that you can't edit the payouts auto calculation nor do any specific type of rounding. That's something I would change but otherwise looks useful.

I run a lot of fundraisers and it looks like it would be very handy for those type of events.

Yes, in a larger room with several tables, you could have one official monitor, and anyone could use his smartphone to have a clock within easy view.

Indeed, I have a domain name which I forwarded to the join link for anyone who wants to view the structure and timer from their phones. I'm going to give this a try at my next rental event next month and see how it goes. We're expecting 80 players.

Another detail I'm wanting is the ability to reset the tournament or to undo a knockout.

Hi, I am Jeff, the creator of Blind Valet.

I have had a couple users that have had issues with the site due to some over zealous ad blocker/tracking blocker software. Some sites are blocking the firebaseio.com domain. I use Firebase (Google Company) for the authentication and real-time data synchronization for Blind Valet. It is only capturing the information you agree to provide by using the social login features (Profile Name, Public Profile Image, and email address).

If the entire blindvalet.com domain is blocked for you, that is the first I have heard of that happening. I know on some corporate networks it is blocked for being in the "Gambling" category. Is this on your home network?

To be completely transparent, I am also doing geo-localization by IP address which at best gives me the city/state/country you are in. I do have non-intrusive ad placements on the tournament clock that keep Blind Valet free. The geo-localization lets me provide ads based on region.

Great for the 80 person tournament, let me know how it goes!

When you say "reset the tournament" do you mean to undo all knockouts, rebuys, addons, etc. and reset the clock to the start? When would you use this feature exactly?

Undo a knockout: This is a needed feature, you definitely aren't the only one to request it. It will be in one of the next couple updates.

I am looking at improving the payout calculator. The new algorithm does not let you modify the rounding as before, but the rounding is dynamic based on the size of the payouts, so hopefully it is logical in most cases. You can edit the payouts by using the Manual/Auto-calculate toggle button above the payouts. You can even enter text in here so for charity tournaments where the payouts are physical prizes, you can enter them in here.

Hi Jeff, thanks for the reply. I would probably use this feature mostly when I'm just starting to use the program to get to know it. After playing around with the first 2 tournaments I created, and want to use them I can't because I've added test players and knocked them out. I have the format the way I want it but now I have to start all over and copy the format. Not a big deal, just a learning curve I guess. And yes, I'm looking for a full reset of the players, but not the blind structure, payouts, etc. Resetting the clock is easy enough by just going to the previous round until I'm at the start.

I will post a review once the tournament has run. I have another tournament the following week with more players so if it goes well I will look forward to using it again.

The rounding for prizes was a nice added feature on the original blind valet, but also a minor tweak that would be nice to see. I'm sure it's a bit of a tug-of-war to figure out what to include as you want to keep it simple. Being able to round to the nearest buy in amount would be nice but again not a necessity.

One option that is new with this version is that you can save the tournament structure. On the blind structure page in the parameters section there are buttons to save the structure as a template and to load a template. So if you have a "test" tournament but you like the structure. Just save the template, create a new tournament, and then load the template.

I'm glad you've joined the discussion, Jeff. I've only played around with the site, so having expert answers to these questions takes me off the hook!

I'm very interested in hearing how Chanman's game goes. Give us a TR!

Not sure what software is blocking the entire site.

The major services list the server as safe:
http://www24.issafe.co/blindvalet.com

What happened to the chip breakdown tool?

It didn't quite make it into the beta, but it is coming back.

Hey Jeff, nice to meet you. To provide additional detail, I use the Chrome browser on my work and home laptops. I have tried to load the URL in both locations but to no avail. I tried on my cell phone the other day and it did work, but still can't get it to work on the laptop.

It definitely works with Chrome as that is my main browser and I have tested extensively on both Mac and Windows.

Are you using a 3rd Party DNS provider (like OpenDNS)?

Having an odd problem with BV on Chrome today.

I logged in with my Google profile, was prompted to create a club (which I did), and it doesn't seem to show up or give me options to do anything.

Add Club, Profile, and Logout are the only options on the left side, and the Club dropdown (upper left) is empty.

EDIT: Apparently my ad blocker (uBlock Origin) was causing the problem. I disabled it and BV now seems to work correctly. Also LOL at the 2+2 profanity filter blocking the word "ad blocker" without the space.

Wow, I was wondering when a poker timer for the home market would come out that could be visible on players phones! I recently played a tournament at the Bike in soCal and it was very cool having access to the clock on my phone. As has been said here, no more turning around or squinting to see the clock, just popped up the clock on my phone. Best of all, on breaks I could walk away to grab a bite or whatever with confidence - checking the clock on my phone whenever I wanted and this guaranteed that I would be back at the table in time, basically down to the very last second. Very very cool.