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Mycroft's Bridge Clock

Installation and Run instructions

1. Install Python, 3.10 or higher.
2. Grab the package and unzip it somewhere.
3. From the command line in the folder, run "python -m pip install wxPython". This installs the GUI package.
4. From the command line in the folder, run "python ./bridge_clock_main.py"
5. Set the pattern and go!

If you desire, you can set up a shortcut on your desktop or taskbar so you don't have to open a command prompt every time.

Main screen

Settings screen

Basic operation

This clock is designed to be "start and go", as intuitive as possible for directors who have used a bridge clock before. With just setting "number of rounds and the round length" you can run a game:

• Start the program
• Load a pattern, or go to Settings/Configure to create one.
  • If you have a common one, remember to save it after!
  • The clock will start with the previously completed game's settings. If you close the clock before the game completes, it will not save the settings!
• Hit start, and it will run through the program, automatically going to the next round.
• If your game is running a bit slowly, you can add a minute or two.
• or, tell it to break for a few minutes after this round.
• If your game is running quickly, you can remove a minute or two.
• or, end the round at any time.
• If you forget to start the clock until round 3, you can click up the round count.
• resize to any screen size!

Advanced operation

This clock is also designed to pre-load the common ACBL TD functions automagically, if you are willing to learn how:

• you can preload the intended breaks into the settings pattern, and the clock will automatically put the breaks in.
• you can change the pattern at any time, if you find the players are slower or faster than expected.
• you can set the breaks to "invisible", and you will instead get the "time has been added to the clock" pattern.
• for Swisses or other games where you need to start rounds when they're ready, you can tell it to go to the next round, but not start the timer until you press the button.
• If there are multiple clocks in the room, or two- and three-board round sections, you can put a description at the top of the clock that explains which this is for.
• You can run multiple clocks at the same time from the same computer, if you have enough screen space (or multiple monitors) to show them.
• You can remove the buttons. Right-click will still put up a menu, or you can use the following keys to control:
  • +/-: Add/subtract one minute from the clock.
  • S: Start/pause the clock.
  • R: end the Round.
  • B: add a Break after this round.

What doesn't work:

• Sounds. There's a button to turn them on, but it doesn't do anything. I don't particularly like them, so it's not a high priority.
• Apart from the numbers, there's no visible way to denote "near end of round". Some have called that very distracting (but they find any reminder that they're slow very distracting).
• You're stuck with my opinion of what colours are good. I like purple, sorry. I do guarantee that it's visible and readable from the other end of the room!
• Full screen would be nice.
• I have a menu item to remove the statusbar (the one with real time and round length on it), but it breaks resizing currently. Don't use it.
• I have a one-off executable for those less familiar with running scripts from the command line. It flags as malware by about 30 programs. It isn't - it's just that all the python-to-exe tools are so commonly used by malware providers that any built are flagged.