Summary

With Bridgemate Control Software (BCS) version 4.1.17 or later, you can use both Bridgemate III and Bridgemate II devices in the same bridge session. This is especially useful when you don’t have enough devices of one type to equip all tables. BCS allows both systems to enter and exchange board results and player names while your scoring program manages the data as usual.

Note: This article applies to Bridgemate Control Software version 4. It does not apply to version 5, which is currently in limited test release.

How it works

Bridgemate III and Bridgemate II are technically different systems, using separate protocols for communication between Bridgemate and server. As a result, a Bridgemate III cannot communicate directly with a Bridgemate II server and vice versa.

However, BCS makes it possible to run both systems side by side using one computer. Once set up, they share a single score file created by your scoring program. This enables board results and player names to be synchronized between Bridgemate systems, so you can assign any device type to any table.

Getting started

Begin by installing Bridgemate Control Software 4.1.17 or later. Then, connect the Bridgemate III server and Bridgemate II server to separate USB ports on your computer. Since both systems use separate communication protocols, no specific channel configuration is necessary. You can use the default channel on both systems (channel 0).

Assigning Bridgemates to tables

You can distribute Bridgemate III and Bridgemate II devices however you like. For example:

Use Bridgemate III in some sections and Bridgemate II in others.
Split them across all sections equally.
Mix device types within the same section.

You can also replace devices mid-session (even swapping one type for another), and all previously entered data will continue seamlessly.

Configuring the session in your scoring program

Once the devices are in place and both servers connected, start your scoring program and create your session as usual. Some scoring programs offer built-in support for using both systems simultaneously. If yours does, activate that setting so it launches both systems automatically. Check the manual of your scoring program or consult its author for more information.

If your scoring software doesn’t support this, you can still manage both systems from within Bridgemate Control Software as explained below.

Starting both systems

After starting Bridgemate from your scoring program for this session, Bridgemate Control Software opens and first launches the Bridgemate III system. It loads all session data (table numbers, player names, hand records, etc.) into the Bridgemate III server.

If your scoring program supports dual systems, BCS will automatically launch a second instance for Bridgemate II and load the same data into the Bridgemate II server. If not, you’ll need to open it yourself from BCS under menu "Session" and choose the option "Bridgemate II concurrently". This opens another BCS window for the Bridgemate II system. Now both systems are active, each in its own BCS window, and both have access to all table data.

Each window clearly labels which system it’s connected to, so you can manage both easily throughout the session.

Exchanging board results and names

Both systems rely on the shared score file created by your scoring program. Whenever a player enters a result or player number into the Bridgemate, that data is sent to the connected server, written into the score file, and made available to the other Bridgemate system automatically.

Initially, both BCS instances will only show the scores received from their own connected Bridgemate system. To see all board results from both systems, press "Remove filter" to reload the complete list.

Updating the movement

If the movement changes during setup or play—for example, if players are added or removed—make those changes in your scoring program. The scoring program pushes the updated movement into the score file, and both BCS systems will reflect the changes automatically in a few seconds.

Processing board results

Your scoring program processes data (board results, player numbers, hand records) from both Bridgemate systems in the same way it normally would. No special settings are needed once both systems are active.

Common Scenarios and Tips

One of the two BCS windows is accidently closed. If you close one of the BCS windows unexpectedly, it’s best to close the other one as well and continue Bridgemate from the scoring program. This will restore both systems and preserve all collected scores.

⚠️ Do not use the "Restart Bridgemate" function in your scoring program once the session has started. This resets all data and restarts the session at round 1!

A Bridgemate needs to be replaced. When replacing a Bridgemate at a table (e.g. due to low battery), you can replace it with either type of device. Because the score file is shared, the new device will resume seamlessly—regardless of whether it’s a Bridgemate II or Bridgemate III.

Consult the device-specific manuals for more on swapping Bridgemates.

Additional information

Bridgemate III user manual
Bridgemate II user manual

Update history

2025-11-07 - Article published

Using Bridgemate III and Bridgemate II simultaneously