New Scaratings

I presently play at The Dolphin AC in Edgewater, FL.
We use only tablets. If we wanted to switch to BGN, what is required? Do we need a POS setup? What will the it cost us per month?
Can we just stay with tablets ans phones?
These are things I am not certain about, and I would like to be able to explain it to our other pjayers.

BUD, if you read this, can you help me out here? You have been a great resource for me before, and I would the BGN?like to ensure that The Dolphin keeps the games rolling. Is Showdown available on the BGN?

Thank you.

All you need for a BGN site is your phone or any device (iPad, etc.) to which you can download the Buzztime App. I think the cost is about $150/mo., which is significantly less than the tablet system. If the site wants to spring for new devices (iPad-like things, from what I understand), it can, but it will cost more. Showdown is definitely available on BGN.

BUD will probably be able to help you out on more specifics.

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Anon
"He may seem like Mr. Rogers but a dark spirit lies beneath."

Hey Raylan,

Let me try and explain what's about to happen by the end of June. Most important You will need to talk with your manager about calling BT to do the switchover to the BGN system, its not that big a deal to do that. BT Tablets and blue boxes are done by the end of June.

Those bars supposedly will be dead by the end of June if the bar doesn’t switch to the "new stuff" which is called BGN. It runs with no boxes, app only, you provide the phone or Personal tablet/iPad. Or for a hefty extra fee the new required BGN system can come with optional off the shelf tablets from BT. Not the same as what's in tablet bars now.

In addition to "old stuff" blue box and tablet bars there are some bars that upgraded in the last couple years to a "Site Hub" system that is no box and already out of date and they too must get the new BGN but not forced to right away like the really old blue box and tablet bars.

Get used to the BT app on your phone now while the blue boxes/BT tablets are still working so you can go back and forth. Then it won't be a big deal when the blue boxes/BT tablets die in June.

Tell your bar managers to start the switchover to the BGN system NOW or you'll just be sitting there drinking beer with no trivia.
The bars should have got emails and probably notices on their monthly invoice. Oh and the cost will drop from $450 to $150 per month because of no boxes to service. The bar managers should love that.

To answer your specific questions:
The only thing required by players are phones or iPads/android tablets. They need to have iOS 13 (edit now 15.6) or better or android 8 or better. So get some used tablets on Amazon, eBay, Best Buy etc. That is better to use than small phones that you probably need for texts, calls etc. Some people just use old phones never traded in on the bar wifi. No new data plan needed. Avoid using your everyday phone.

New POS system for restaurant sales is not needed. I did see something from BT about a marketing gimmick by connecting to the BGN. Not needed.

$150 per month vs the current cost for tablets $450+. The bar can add off the shelf Lenovo tablets but it’s expensive plus they are not replaced if broken externally or stolen. Plus deposit.
Not worth it unless your bar owner is rich and doesn’t care about cost. Would probably be $450 a month total for 10 tablets but no replacements when they break and we know they will.

You can stay with phones and personal tablets but not the current BT tablets.

Yes Showdown and Spotlight are on BGN.

Get your manager on getting the BGN right away before your tablets are turned off and the bar will get repeat games or just go dark. End of June will be here quick.

Good luck and tell players to use the app now so it’s not a big deal in a month or 2.

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BUD - Stained Glass Pub Silver Spring MD
OC BUD - Grotto Pizza DE near Ocean City MD

LET'S GO ....Orioles and the 9 and 5!!

Raylan, did you get the Dolphin switched over to BGN yet or at least in the process? Did the Surf Bar and Merk’s switch yet? Clock is ticking down fast.

I had a response from Buzztime that they expect a lot of outages at the blue box and tablet bars when they get turned off. Customersupport@buzztime.com or (234) 564-0202 is the quickest way to get started on the switchover to the required BGN. Emails and calls to bar managers have been made. They are slow to non existent so Be prepared for dark tvs.

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BUD - Stained Glass Pub Silver Spring MD
OC BUD - Grotto Pizza DE near Ocean City MD

LET'S GO ....Orioles and the 9 and 5!!