BridgePal is a wireless scoring system based on the use of a low cost android phone or tablet at each table, with wifi connection to a scoring PC. We originally developed it for use at our local Chislehurst bridge club, where it has been used twice weekly for almost 8 years.
Although it is no longer the only android based bridge scoring system in existence we believe it was probably the first to be implemented. About 4 years ago we decided to make the software available to other clubs looking for a low cost wireless scoring system. We do not charge for the software, so the only cost to the clubs is purchase of hardware on which to run the system.
At the time of writing we know of at least 78 clubs worldwide using BridgePal, 55 of these being UK clubs (including 7 welsh clubs), and several as far afield as New Zealand. Undoubtedly this is a conservative figure, as clubs do not have to notify us when they implement the system.
BridgePal is compatible with scoring programs that use the bws database format, including our own easy to use freeware BridgeScore scoring program as well as the most commonly used scoring programs in the UK – EBUScore, Scorebridge, PairsScorer. BridgePal supports input of player numbers (club and national), display of player names, input of contracts and scores including lead card validation. Travellers are displayed, together with hand records (if available) including makeable contracts and optimum contracts. The hand display even has an optional “play it again” function with card by card guidance, so players can review how a makeable contract can be reached (time permitting!). Hand entry at the table is supported as an option if pre-dealt hands are not available. Ranking can optionally be displayed at the end of each round or at the end of session.
The BridgePal software is very easy to install, consisting of a couple of installation programs for the PC and an android app downloadable from the Google play store. Once the PC and BridgePal devices have been connected to the same wireless network the devices are automatically configured to communicate with the scoring PC.
Full documentation is available on our BridgePal website at http://bridgepal.co.uk. This site also includes links to our user list and an active forum.
Contact: See the “Contact Us” page on the above website