A Bridgemate handset is a small (17x9 cm) box placed on each bridge table and is a wireless scoring terminal into which North (or South), after playing each hand, enters the contract, declarer, opening lead [optionally] and tricks made. After checking by East (or West), the result is transmitted to the Bridgemate server and thence to the scoring computer. At the beginning of an event, players identify themselves at the handset by number, either club number or national union number, thus saving computer entry of names. As each result is entered, the handset shows the percentage attained by each pair on the results so far available. At the end of each round, the handset shows each pair their percentage and ranking position thus far in the event overall. Results are picked up by the scoring program within a few seconds of their being transmitted from the handset, and a completely up-to-date leader board may be displayed if required.

Advantages over using travellers:

• Show the final results with contract, lead card and tricks made one minute after the last board is played.
• At the end of each round, players can see their overall percentage and ranking in the event thus far
• You can have a television monitor or projector attached to the scoring computer which can show the up-to-date ranking throughout the session. Thus towards the end of the event, all players can see their provisional ranking
• On each board the Bridgemate displays the % scored instantly – 100% is a top, 50% means flat, etc.
• Printed results and web pages include contract, lead card and tricks made
• The handset is told the movement being used and prompts the players with their pair numbers, orientation and boards due to be played - thus reducing the risk of mis-pairings etc
• You enter tricks made - not the score - again cutting down on errors, no more keying in of travellers or names
• The terminal asks EW to check the details of the result - thus eliminating many errors
• No more “when will the results come out?”: for most clubs analysed results are available on the website within a few minutes of play finishing
• Fewer queries regarding errors

• Very widely in the Netherlands - the home of its inventor.
• Bridgemates are used by more than 450 clubs in the UK and Ireland
• Bridgemates are used at all national and regional events in the four home countries and Ireland.
• Bridgemates are now used in over 4,500 clubs in 65 countries.
• Bridgemates have been used by the World Bridge Federation and the European Bridge League since 2005 for all their tournaments.