NUTS - Product Overview

Product Overview

Professional Tournament Management

The NUTS system is a comprehensive, open-source solution for running poker tournaments of any size. From home games to casino events, NUTS provides real-time tournament management with dedicated hardware displays, web interfaces, and seamless multi-device synchronisation.

Real Time Synchronisation

Every device connected to your tournament receives instant updates via WebSocket connections. When you start the clock, pause for a break, or advance levels, all displays update simultaneously—no delays, no refresh buttons.

Dedicated Hardware Displays

Purpose-built M5Stack Core2 devices provide professional tournament clocks at each table. Features include:


Large, high-contrast displays - Countdown timers visible across the room
LED visual alerts - Color-coded lighting for different tournament states
Audio notifications - Tones and vibration alerts for level changes
Wi-Fi connectivity - Automatic discovery and zero-config setup
Professional appearance - Sleek design that looks at home in any venue


Flexible Blind Structures

Create custom blind structures or use pre-configured tournament formats:

  • Standard tournament progressions
  • Turbo formats with faster levels
  • Deep stack structures
  • Re-buy and add-on support
  • Antes at any level
  • Break scheduling

Multi-Platform Access

Web Dashboard - Full tournament control from any browser
Flutter Mobile App - Native iOS and Android clients
Arduino Displays - Dedicated M5Stack Core2 hardware
API Access - Integrate with your own tools
Smart TV - Dedicated easy to access url for direct access from smart TVs.

Core Components

Django Backend

The heart of PTM is a robust Django application running on Python 3.11+ with:
- RESTful API for all tournament operations
- WebSocket support via Django Channels
- PostgreSQL database for reliability
- Redis for real-time message distribution
- Wagtail CMS for content management

Hardware Displays


M5Stack Core2 devices provide tournament clocks with:
- 320x240 LCD touchscreen
- RGB LED ring (10 LEDs)
- Built-in speaker and vibration motor
- Wi-Fi connectivity (2.4GHz)
- Rechargeable battery (supports 4-6 hours)
- Elegant 3D-printed enclosures

Web Interface

Modern, responsive web application built with:
- Flutter web for smooth UI
- Real-time WebSocket updates
- Mobile-responsive design
- Dark mode support
- Offline capability

Key Features

Tournament Management


- Schedule tournaments in advance
- Configure blind structures
- Manage player registration
- Track chip counts and payouts
- Support multiple concurrent tournaments

Live Display


- Countdown timers with colour coding (green/orange/red)
- Current blind levels
- Ante information
- Break announcements
- Next blind preview
- Tournament status (scheduled/running/paused)

Hardware Features


Scheduled State Display - Shows start time with cyan theme
Tournament Start Experience - Audio fanfare and LED celebration
Level Change Alerts - Ascending tones and LED effects
Pause/Resume Notifications - Distinct audio patterns
Bluetooth Mesh - Automatic Wi-Fi credential sharing

Administrative Tools

- Tournament director controls
- Device management console
- Floor staff permissions
- Real-time monitoring
- Analytics and reporting

Use Cases

Home Games


Perfect for regular poker nights:
- Quick setup for casual games
- Single display for small groups
- Simple blind structures
- No technical expertise required

Organised Tournaments


Ideal for poker leagues and events:
- Multiple table displays
- Complex blind structures
- Player tracking
- Professional presentation

Casino Operations


Enterprise-ready features:
- Multi-tournament support
- Staff permission management
- Centralized monitoring
- API integration
- Scalable architecture

Technology Stack


Backend
- Python 3.11+
- Django 5.x
- Django Channels (WebSockets)
- PostgreSQL 14+
- Redis 7+

Frontend
- Flutter 3.x (Web, iOS, Android)
- Dart
- WebSocket client

Hardware
- M5Stack Core2 (ESP32)
- Arduino/PlatformIO
- C++
- LVGL graphics library
- FastLED for RGB control

Infrastructure
- Docker & Docker Compose
- Nginx reverse proxy
- SSL/TLS encryption
- Cloudflare CDN

Getting Started

Ready to run your first tournament? Check out our Getting Started Guide for step-by-step instructions on: