One of my guys has a paid for Zoom account. We have one for each table.
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Online Home Poker (3 Viewers)
- Thread starter kk405
- Start date
LotsOfChips
Flush
I am truly in awe! I'm struggling to fill a single table (limiting it to people I know and that live close by, or friends of people I know that live close by), so the Lite version and a home Internet connection is good enough for now.
I may upgrade to Pro to run a second table for tournaments, but the home connection will still probably work okay (85 Mbps down, 8 Mbps up).
You are welcome to join my group - PM me
codeman00
Flush
So if I do use the Amazon AWS Server, does the Poker Mavens software get installed on that server or on my home computer? To access an external server, does that mean I'm logging into a new computer "server" where I see a new Windows environment separate to my own personal computer? I'm trying to figure out what this external server "looks like".
When you setup a new machine instance on AWS, it's essentially a virtual machine running Windows. You login into it using Remote Desktop (RDP) normally. When you do, it looks like you're controlling another computer via your own computer (because you are).
From there, you install the PM software on the remote machine and then just open up the right port through the Amazon console.
codeman00
Flush
Thanks. I assume then that having a remote server increases the complication of this somewhat. Otherwise I would just log on to my computer instead. Is the only advantage of going with an external server relying on the speed of the external server vs the internet speed of my own computer (which is 300Mbs). I only plan to be holding one game at at time. Also, is it better legally to have the game running on my own computer or an external server?
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It depends on how you look at it. Punching a hole through your router via port forwarding could be more complicated than exposing it through the AWS console for your virtual machine. Also, you have to ensure that your computer doesn't hit any kind of ISP-based throttling. I personally hate exposing ports through my home network to the outside world, so I'd rather have a VM in a nice little data center.
Legally, I think it's the same. Your home network is only as secure as your router and the AWS machine is only as secure as your AWS account.
I only hold 1 game at a time too, but this setup prevents me from needing to do anything to my home network, which was the biggest benefit.
codeman00
Flush
Is the RDS another software I need to load or does it come with the AWS server?
In the world of Microsoft Windows, Remote Desktop Protocol (RDP) is the way that you can connect to and control a Windows computer. The software for this is sometimes built into your version of Windows, sometimes it's not. Either way, it's a free download from Microsoft. I use the RDP client from the Apple Store on my Mac to control my Windows-based Amazon virtual machine.
codeman00
Flush
Thank you BearMetal!
Is anyone running Mavens successfully on a t2.micro server (free for 12 months)? Or do I need the speed of a t3.micro server (which I will have to pay for)?
In all honesty, I'll probably be running this 15 hrs max a week, so even if I have to pay, I would assume that its not going to cost a lot at $0.01 per hour.
I'm just trying to figure all of this out.
Is anyone running Mavens successfully on a t2.micro server (free for 12 months)? Or do I need the speed of a t3.micro server (which I will have to pay for)?
In all honesty, I'll probably be running this 15 hrs max a week, so even if I have to pay, I would assume that its not going to cost a lot at $0.01 per hour.
I'm just trying to figure all of this out.
I'm using the t2 micro and it runs the software fine. Logging in and clicking around is a little slow/painful, but once you have the software downloaded, it works great.
codeman00
Flush
I found out why the t3.micro isn't available...it says its available depending on your region. Apparently I'm not in the correct region.
boltonguy
Flush
I think at the end of that thread Kent posted saying that he fixed the software so the hack isnt possible. Anyhow - after trying a few options I too am running Poker Mavens on AWS for my home game with BlueJeans audio & video
boltonguy
Flush
Only tricky part was setting up the firewall rules on the VM host and on the VPC other than that it was extremely easy.
Yeah, but once you know where to enter the ports, it's really only a few clicks.
boltonguy
Flush
Agreed - I had never used AWS before so took 20 minutes of poking around to find it.
I hosted my first Mavens game last night...it went really well. I just used my home comp for the server connection and we ran video conferencing through 8x8.vc...free for up to 50 people, and I think the meeting can last up to 24 hours.
I was nervous about stability of my setup, but for the most part it worked really well.
Now to get some of my guys to update their internet connections....
I was nervous about stability of my setup, but for the most part it worked really well.
Now to get some of my guys to update their internet connections....
Saw your server on the list as I was doing testing. Sweet setup, Craig!
codeman00
Flush
Thank you everyone that helped me get my server and game up and running. The generosity of this forum's members continues to amaze me over and over, and this was just another example of that. Thanks!
Beaniman
Two Pair
Sent a join request, interested to test it out for my local game too
boltonguy
Flush
Where is your how to? Checked in Resources and don't see it - where do I look? Mine is up and running fine but would like to have a look at the guide in case I missed anything
If you are up and running - you didn't miss anything. All i did was screenshot the steps to launch the AWS server. The Poker Mavens configuration is too complicated to put a guide together - the host just needs to work through it and figure out what settings they want.Where is your how to? Checked in Resources and don't see it - where do I look? Mine is up and running fine but would like to have a look at the guide in case I missed anything
codeman00
Flush
I can confirm that this is complicated also.
LotsOfChips
Flush
There is a lot there in Poker Mavens that you can configure, for sure, but that is part of what makes it a great program. To get it started really isn't too hard, complexity in setting up the actual games varies from super easy (just use the default settings) to mildly challenging (fully customized deep stack Bounty/Re-buy/Add-On tournaments with custom blind levels/payout values/blind times/etc.).
Briggs Software has a great help page/user manual that explains every different configuration field: https://www.briggsoft.com/docs/pmavens/PMHelp.htm
For getting it running, follow the Getting Started section:
Getting Started: System
- License key - If you bought the program, then you received this in an email. (not required for Trial version).
- Site name - Name your site!
- Site description - Leave it blank (or not).
- Site password - Do you want anyone to be able to connect and join, or only people you invite? If only by invite, use a password and tell your friends.
- Site news / Site FAQ - Leave it blank (or not).
- Directory listing - Do you want people to be able to see your site on the Poker Mavens directory? If yes, yes. If no, no.
- Support email - Leave it blank (or not).
- Support web site - Leave it blank (or not).
- Internet IP address - Critical!!! Google "what is my IP" and find out the address of your router (different than the IP address of your computer). That is the address you enter here. Your firewall may ask to allow or block traffic from Poker Mavens at this time (Select allow).
- Auto lookup IP - Ask your ISP if it assigns you the same IP address every time, or if it can change. If it can change, select Yes. Otherwise the progam may not work if your router resets (like after a power failure).
- File port - Leave the default value of 8087.
- Packet port - Leave the default value of 8088.
Probably the hardest part for people unfamiliar with computers and networks, but fairly simple if you understand it.
- Most firewalls will ask you if you want to allow a program to allow access to the Internet, and usually restricts it so that your computer program must initiate all connections. In the case of Poker Mavens, you need to allow outside users (your players) to initiate the connection. The Firewall software (McAfee, Norton, etc.) will have a list of all programs that have ever tried to access the Internet (Firewall - Settings - Internet Connections For Programs, or some such thing). Find Poker Mavens Server in the list and set to "All Devices" or whatever your firewall term is for allowing outside devices to initiate connections. You may need to try to connect to your Poker Mavens site from a different IP address (like your smart phone or a friend) to test this out, but it also may not work until you do the next step).
- Your Router (the thing that your ISP gave you) needs to convert the Internet address (the address you programmed earlier by googling "what is my IP") into the your Computer Address (go to Start - Run - CMD , which opens a small window. Type ipconfig into that window to find your IP and Default Gateway addresses). Each router is different (google for a guide to your particular model), but in general you need to log into your router (the Default Gateway address from above, username/password is usually admin/admin) and set Port Forwarding from (Internet Address:8087 to Computer Address: 8087 and Internet Address:8088 to Computer Address: 8088). Things should now work properly!
Enjoy!
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Anthony Ferguson
Flush
I too dumb to even figure out how to test drive the free trial version. When I go to the trial servers, they ask for a password. Anyone have words of wisdom for me?
Anthony Ferguson
Flush
Figured it out!
Beaniman
Two Pair
Im runn8ng a trial game on Pokerrr 2 tonight for my local folks, they are super skeptical about anything online and stubborn about actually looking into it themselves. Long story short I need a few more people to test this with. Running a 1¢/2¢ 4$max buyin game at 7pm Tokyo time (about an hour from now) pm for club join code if you fancy helping me test it
LotsOfChips
Flush
Isn't that the truth! Players that I've played wth live have expressed disdain for online poker in general or the platform I'm using (Poker Mavens) in particular. Even those that seem eager to join in are super slow to actually commit by visiting my site/creating an account/transferring the buy in, etc.
I'm running a set of games this weekend (Cash Game Friday and Tournament Saturday) and have nine players supposedly committed, but three of them haven't visited the sight to create their account, and nobody (other than me) has put up their money yet. Hard to know how many players will actually show up, but I guess that is the nature of hosting. I remain hopeful.
I'm in the process of setting up a couple of games for my local groups as well (Poker Mavens). While there are several who already play online, a few others are skeptical. What I planned on doing was having at least one "fun money only" game to let people get comfortable with the application/platform prior to putting any real $$$ on the line.
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