News & Updates

Catch up on the latest updates and send feedback to DartConnect.

Welcome to Digital Steel 3.0!

Special thanks to the ongoing feedback of all tournament organizers and our DS 3.0 Beta Testers. The latest version introduces AutoPilot, providing event staff with the option of automatically assigning boards and accepting results, while providing the controls necessary to restrict individual rounds and matches while respecting players participating in concurrent events!

Please review the instructions, help and hints on this page before reaching out to us. As always, feedback, suggestions and bug reports are welcome! We will be working on DS 4.0 before you know it!

— The DartConnect Team

EMT – Event Manager Tabs

  • Updated control panel with DCTV, help guide and automation controls
  • See the dedicated sections in the Help Tab for guidance
  • Pro Tip:  Drag the slider bar to resize the EMT to make text or images more readable

Add, Swap or Remove Players From Groups [Learn More]

  • Players can be added to a group after the groups are saved
  • Players can be swapped out for a different player after the groups are saved
  • Players that withdraw from a Round Robin event can now be removed with all match data and stats deleted from the event

Auto Pilot [Learn More]

  • Activating Auto-Accept enables Auto Pilot mode. All match results and scores will be recorded automatically.
  • Note: Automation features are optional. Staff may instead choose to accept results manually
  • Pro Tip:  Organizers that wish to play in the event may do so without delaying match scores and group ranking updates

Match Results [Learn More]


  • Results now appear in the Results Tab instead of popup messages
  • Tab displays number of pending results
  • Audible “reminder chime” will signal every 60 seconds when results are waiting
  • Hide/Show results on DCTV
  • Pro Tip:  If the Results tab is open, the chime will not sound

        Use this form to:

        • Report a bug
        • Describe a problem
        • Submit a suggestion

        DO NOT use this form for urgent issues that require immediate attention.

        For emergencies, first check the “SOS” section of this Help Tab to see if a solution is available.  If needed, send an email to events@dartconnect.com to alert DartConnect that you need urgent assistance.

        Digital Steel Customer Report

        SOS

        Don’t panic!  Fix the most common emergency issues with these step-by-step instructions.

        If the WiFi network is experiencing low bandwidth, system performance may be affected.

        Test Your Network Speed With Fast.com:

        Tips for resolving network problems:

        • If possible, set up private, password protected network access that is not available to the public
        • Use cell service “Hot Spots” to connect control desk devices separately from scoring tablets

        For additional help information:

        Understanding the Importance of a Quality WiFi network to support your DartConnect Competition (coming soon)

        Are you experiencing any of the following?

        • Bracket Program & Master Player List Are Not Behaving Normally:
          • Page is unresponsive
          • Page will not load fully, main section is “blank”
          • Page refreshes continuously on its own
          • Screen freezes when accepting results or other actions
          • Will not allow me to type in or edit a field (Player Editing or Score Editing)
          • Other performance issues

        Your Chrome Browser may be using an “extension” that is interfering with Digital Steel.

        To resolve, try one of the following:

        1. Turn off all of your Chrome extensions
        2. OR – Open the bracket program in an “Incognito Tab” (see picture below)
        3. Try a different browser such as Firefox or MS Edge

        Digital Steel allows you to make the following types of player changes:

        • Adding a player to a group [Learn How]
        • Swapping a player with a different player [Learn How]
        • Removing a player who has withdrawn & deleting any match data [Learn How]

        Access Player Change Tools in the Participants Section:

        If for any reason a re-draw is required, use the “Re-Draw Event” tool to reset the competition. This will delete any matches that have already been played.

        How to Redraw Groups:

        The event will return to the state just before the draw was done, with the event’s player roster intact, available for editing the player list or recreating the competition.

        • Open the Tools Menu and select “Re-Draw Event”
        • Type the code displayed on screen into the field below it to confirm you wish to redraw
        • Click “Re-Draw Event” button
        • Event will return to state prior to drawing bracket, player changes can be made if needed
        • Once complete you will be returned to the Event Hub
        • Select the event and go to “Edit Player List” to make a change or “Create Group Play” to re-create the competition.

        To Change A Score:

        • To manually edit the score in the “Match Results” section, click on any score to edit it directly

        • If the match needs to be replayed, use the “Reset a match” tool:

        How to “RESET” a Match:

        1. From the Tools Menu at the top right, select “Reset a Match”
        2. Find the match you wish to reset and click the “Reset” button
        3. You will be asked to click “Ok” to confirm the change
        4. This match will now be reset and the score and player stats will be deleted
        5. The match will be resent to the scoring app match listing as available to play. If you do not wish to replay the match, you can manually enter the score instead.

        Match Formats can be reviewed and edited at any point during the competition.

        After making changes, re-enter the board # on any tablet to update the scoring app with the new format.

        Open the Tools Menu and select “Change Match Format”:

        • CHANGE MATCH FORMAT will allow the following changes:
          • Number of Sets and Minimum Number of Legs
          • Switch between “Best Of” and “Play All” legs and/or sets
          • Starting rules (Bull Up/Cork, Alternate, etc) for sets and/or legs, including any “Deciding Leg” and/or “Deciding Set” (tie-breaker leg)
          • Option to change game between legs or sets (shows game menu to allow game switching for formats such as “Chicago” and “501-Cricket-Choice)

        IMPORTANT: UPDATE TABLETS

        After making a change, do the following to update the scoring app before the next match is played:

        • Re-enter the board # on the scorekeeping device to update settings
        • On the “Select Starter” screen, examine the black buttons to confirm updated leg count
        • If the count is still incorrect, tap the black button to modify it

        Reasons to use this feature:

        • The wrong information was entered when setting up the bracket
        • The event is running late and we want to shorten the format

        First, check the following:

        • Double-check that the board has been assigned in the bracket program
        • Check that the tablet is successfully connected to WiFi and has an Internet connection, if disconnected, connect tablet and try again to update match list
        • Try to resolve above issues before resorting to manual match creation

        If necessary, create the match manually – FOLLOW THESE STEPS:

        1. On the match list screen, click “Create an Event Match”
        2. Pick the correct event from event menu
        3. Select game from game menu, player roster will now open
        4. Select players from roster – there are duplicate player lists on the left and right.  Pick one player/team from the list on left, then pick opponent from list on right.
        5. Click green “Cork for Start” button
        6. Pick the # of legs for this match if prompted
        7. Now play match as usual

        IF THIS IS AN ONLINE TOURNAMENT:

        • Before selecting players from the player list, HOST player must tap the “Connect” Button, generate a connect code and communicate it to their opponent.
        • Opponent taps “Play Online” from the APP WELCOME SCREEN, then selects “Join Game” and enters the connect code.
        • Host player will select which player shoots first and also save the match when finished.

        NOTE:

        • You should still receive the match result automatically, if results do not appear in the bracket program, refer to DCTV or have players report winner and score to event staff
        • On DCTV, this match will appear at the bottom of match results list under “Other Matches”

        In the scoring app, after a match is selected to play, you will see one of the following GREEN buttons depending on the Tournament Setting selected when first opening the tournament software:

        • Play (for in-person matches)
        • Play Online (for online)
        • Both Play and Play Online (for tournaments that allow both)

        If the scoring app is incorrectly set to play matches online or in-Person, do the following to update the tournament setting for either mode:

        • Exit to the Event Hub and open the Tools Menu
        • Select “Advanced Tools”:
        • On the Advanced Tools menu, select “Edit Tournament Setup”:
        • This will return you to the Tournament Setup Wizard where you can re-select the type of format you want, select “In-Person,” “Online” or “Mixed”
        • To update the app with the new setting, re-enter the board # on the scorekeeping device

        Making Player Changes

        How to ADD, SWAP, or REMOVE a player from a group:

        Adding A Player

        • From the “Participants” tab, choose the group and click “Add Player”
        • Select the new player from the list of available players
        • Note: The new player must be in  your tournament player list and not currently assigned to a different group in the same event.
        • If the new player is not in your player list, return to the Event Hub and go to the Master List to add the player, then return to the Add Player tool.
        • If the new player does not appear in the list, refresh your browser, then check again
        • After adding the player, wait for the screen to refresh, then double-check the group and make sure the correct player was added
        • If screen appears stuck, refresh the browser again
        • If necessary, use Swap Player to correct a mistake

        Swapping A Player

        • From the “Participants” tab, choose the group and click “Swap Player”
        • Select the new player from the list of available players
        • Note: The new player must be in  your tournament player list and not currently assigned to a different group in the same event.
        • If the new player is not in your player list, return to the Event Hub and go to the Master List to add the player, then return to the Add Player tool.
        • If the new player does not appear in the list, refresh your browser, then check again
        • After adding the player, wait for the screen to refresh, then double-check the group and make sure the correct player was added
        • If necessary, use Swap Player to correct a mistake

        NOTE: If the player has already played a match, but you are allowing them to be replaced, do the following.  To swap out this player,  you must first reset any matches they have played, including  EVERY match in which they have a score recorded. DartConnect does not recommend this procedure.

        Related Tools:
        How to Reset a Match

        Removing A Player

        • From the “Participants” tab, choose the group and player, then click “Remove Player”:

        You Will See the Following Confirmation:

        • IMPORTANT: Removing a player is PERMANENT and can not be undone. The player’s match data will be removed and they will be listed as “Player Removed” in the group player list:

        Managing Tournament Boards

        Add More Boards or Update Group Board Assignments

        NOTE:

        You are NOT REQUIRED to assign multiple boards to groups.

        If a group is assigned to Board 1, you can enter “Board 1” on multiple tablets/scoring devices simultaneously. Matches will be removed from each tablet’s match list as they are completed.

        Similarly, if a match is moved to a different board, you do not need to reassign the group board, instead you can enter any board # into any tablet to access its match list.

        If necessary you can add more boards using “Add Boards” from the Tools Menu:

        NOTE:

        You are NOT REQUIRED to assign multiple boards to groups.

        If a group is assigned to Board 1, you can enter “Board 1” on multiple tablets/scoring devices simultaneously. Matches will be removed from each tablet’s match list as they are completed.

        Similarly, if a match is moved to a different board, you do not need to reassign the group board, instead you can enter any board # into any tablet to access its match list.

        If necessary you can update group board assignments using “Assign Groups to Boards” from the Tools Menu:

        Managing Match Results

        Receive scores and results automatically and update the competition without delays or relying on players to report.

        All matches played in the scoring app will report results automatically.

        Match results will appear once matches are completed and saved on the scoring device. If a result does not appear, make sure WiFi is connected.

        If Auto Accept is not enabled, the tab will display the number of pending results and an audible reminder will signal every 60 seconds until results are accepted.  The chime will not sound if the results tab is active.

        Related Tools:
        How to Reset a Match

        How to Hide/Show Public Match Results

        • Results can be hidden from the public from the beginning or at any point in the competition:

        • Results will be not be shown on DCTV, but will be available for organizers in the “Match Results” and “Standings” sections
        • Hide/Show option appears during the setup wizard prior to competition
        • Hide/Show option is accessible at any time from the Tools Menu
        • Note: Results will be made visible on DCTV automatically after the event is closed

        Tools Menu Option:

        • To change the Hide/Show setting, select “Change Event Visibility”:

        Choose “No” or “Yes”:

        DCTV Will Display The Following Message:

        Blue Match Results – Indicates a completed match. Accepting the result will record the score and advance the winner in the bracket. 

        These results will be excluded from Auto-Accept and must be manually accepted, providing time for an official ruling.

        If you accept the forfeit or DQ, the score will be entered as “W-F” for forfeits and “W-D” for disqualifications.

        Select “Reset Match” to make this match available to play again or for manual score entry.

        For information on additional types of messages, see “Other Results Messages“.

        Below are additional messages that may appear in the Results section.

        These results will be excluded from Auto-Accept and must be manually accepted, providing time for an official ruling.

        Possible Score Update:

        Score updates may occur if you’ve manually entered a match score and the match is then completed on a scoring device that submits a new result.  Click “Update Result” to replace the existing score, or select “Keep Current Result” to dismiss this message with no change.

        Problem Detected:

        If there is an issue with a match result, you may receive this message. This may require you to investigate by asking the players involved to report the match winner and final score for manual entry.  Check DCTV for a match score and link to the match report.

        Double Forfeit:

        Double Disqualification:

        To Change A Score:

        • To manually edit the score in the “Match Results” section, click on any score to edit it directly

        • If the match needs to be replayed, use the “Reset a match” tool:

        How to “RESET” a Match:

        1. From the Tools Menu at the top right, select “Reset a Match”
        2. Find the match you wish to reset and click the “Reset” button
        3. You will be asked to click “Ok” to confirm the change
        4. This match will now be reset and the score and player stats will be deleted
        5. The match will be resent to the scoring app match listing as available to play. If you do not wish to replay the match, you can manually enter the score instead.

        How to Use Auto-Pilot

        Don’t be chained to the control desk!  Automate accepting match results and be free to focus on other priorities or participate in the competition.

        Turn on Auto-Accept to enable full Auto Pilot mode.

        When Auto Pilot is active, the system will automatically update the match results and group ranking tables. 

        Some results must always be managed manually (See “Forfeits & Disqualifications“)

        • Note: Automation features are optional. Staff may instead choose to assign boards and accept results manually

        Watch Video (coming soon)

        Pro Tip 1: Using Auto Pilot will keep the tournament progressing without delays and with fewer staff. Bracket operators may now be free to play in the event without needing to manually record results.

        Pro Tip 2: Use Auto Accept to quickly process a large queue of match results instead of accepting them one-by-one.