What's New?
(Always see DM Pro's Help Topic "News" for details of latest features)
7 July 2010
Version 5.3 revised
For Colored BTML files, user can choose the web site folder where GIF files are stored.
New optional version of PBN files with Makeable contracts for BridgeComposer now available.
6 March 2010
Version 5.3 revised
Linking to new (2010) version of Deep Finesse (see Help file topic "Deep Finesse")
New and improved diagnostic and error detection routines added.
FAQ's file expanded with valuable new information.
Support information modified.
22 January 2010
Version 5.3 released
Version 5.3 does not have new functions
but you need it to insure that you will get full support.
It does include new error checking functions and expanded Help and valuable FAQ's.
18 October 2009
Version 5.2 revised
Great new color options for your Hand Record HTML files! Click here for sample.
23 August 2009
Version 5.2 revised
For bridge teachers: there is now an option to print TWO DEALS PER PAGE when printing deal details.
For every printout that has the option to "Display print details", there is a new option to "Cancel Printout."
The late July revision that caused certain functions to reject transactions that had a space in the file or path name: that
revision has been eliminated. That is, spaces in file names and folder names are now allowed in all except unusual conditions.
When creating LIN (Bridgebase) files, the user now has two new options: (1) to select the hands to be included (eg just N and S);
(2) to include the auction.
21 June 2009
Version 5.2 revised
Completely new BACKUP procedure simplifies procedure for backing up all your data file automatically
You can now select the hands to include when creating LIN files (for BridgeBase On Line). Example: select just N and S.
New options to import Classification file from another DM Pro installation. Also, you can now Print the Classifications file.
New options enables you to select the folder for TEXT files created of Hand Record data.
Note: The following were included in late versions of version 5.1.
New option to change the Deal Number when the Browse file is open.
New option to skip to any deal number in the Browse file.
New option to include YOUR OWN LOGO in a traveler you design.
New option to create output files for deals selected for printing from the Browse file. Makes printing and creating output files a one step function.
New option to rotate hands for deals selected from the Browse file.
New Function in Losing Trick Count processing enables combing the rejected deals from multiple LTC analyses.
On deal detail printouts, red suits in hand diagrams now print in red.
Here's what's new in the world of premium TV: You can get the best satellite tv from dish network, and dishnetwork tv won't cost a lot like cable, especially when you get a free satellite dish from InternetLion.com!
9 September 2008
Version 5.1 revised
HTML files; There is a new option that enables you to establish the extension (htm, html, HTM, or HTML) for html files created.
BACKUPS:
Dealmaster Pro now retains backup copies of your Browse file for the last three times you exited the program.
Suit symbols in notes: several changes and corrections.
Several minor improvements and corrections.
1 June 2008
Version 5.1 released.
Simulator Features:
1. When the Deep Finesse statistical summary screen appears, there is a new option that enables stepping through the deals selectively.
That is, deals making or not making specified contracts can be temporarily rejected (hidden).
2. There is now an option to rotate all deals created by a Simulator session. This can be valuable both for teachers and others.
Duplicating boards: Two new options to facilitate duplicating boards from suited decks. One option is a printout; the other has the computer say where each card should go: North, East, South or West.
Suit Symbols in Notes: Two options for the special DMPRO font used to enter suit symbols in Notes are now available. The new option
eliminates the use of shift-2, shift-3, shift-4 and shift-5 and is for non-American keyboard users.
All special fonts required by Dealmaster Pro are automatically installed.
The following features were available in later version of version 5.0:
When deals are selected in random sequence from the Browse file in the sequence
to be printed, the user has an option to show the original dealer and
vulnerability or to substitute standard dealer and vulnerability on Hand Record
format printouts.
Other minor changes and corrections have been made.
25 October 2007
Version 5.0 revised.
New keystroke combinations are available for entering suit symbols in notes. Alt keys with S, H, D and C will enter Spade, Heart,
Diamond and club symbols, as will F5, F6, F7 and F8. For foreign languages, the user may chose the letters he wants to be used with
the Alt keys for the suit symbols. Previously available key strokes are still available.
The special DMPRO font is installed automatically.
6 October 2007
Version 5.0 corrected.
A problem in the October 4 release has been corrected. The problem caused error message "Must specify additional parameters" to appear.
4 October 2007
Version 5.0 revised.
An alternate heading for Hand Records is now available. Enables printing the heading in big bold letters.
Miscellaneous corrections and refinements.
11 July 2007
Version 5.0 released.
New option to use "Big Deal" to create random deals for tournaments. "Big Deal" .... created by top mathematicians/statisticians ... is a deal generator that can create every one of the 53,000,000,000,000,000,000,000,000,000+
possible deals.
For French, German and Italian users: new option to show honor cards with the appropriate letter for that language.
Miscellaneous corrections and refinements
1 March 2007
Version 4.3 released.
Dealmaster Pro under Windows Vista
Dealmaster Pro will operate under Windows Vista. However, the install program for versions 4.0, 4.1 and 4.2
does not function under Vista. For those, a new Install Program is required. Registered users
may order a CD with the current version (5.1 as of March 2009) and new install program for $14.00 by emailing dealmaster@dealmaster.com.
An alternate method of installing from the original CD for version 4.0, 4.1 or 4.2 is available for experienced computers users.
A description of this may be obtained by downloading either of the following:
Vista Alternate procedure ... Word file
Vista Alternate procedure ... PDF file
IMPORTANT:
Under VISTA: Your computer must be set to run Dealmaster Pro "as
Administrator". To set this: RIGHT CLICK on shortcut to DM Pro. Select
"Properties", "Advanced" and check box "Run as Administrator", then
"OK".
For versions earlier than version 4.0, the install will probably work. If the installation program works,
do not execute Dealmaster Pro until you have downloaded and executed the file to update to
the current version
(5.2 as of August 2009). If the install does not work, you can use the procedure described above for versions 4.0, 4.1 and 4.2.
New Features of Version 4.3
New features in version 4.3 include: (1) a Losing Trick Count function; (2) the Notes of deals in the Browse file may be
scanned for specified text strings; (3) BridgeBase files ("LIN" files) may now be imported; (4) A new FAQ's
option is available; (5) Informative new printouts are available for users of the DM Pro Simulator.
14 October 2006
Price reduced
As of October 14, the price of Dealmaster Pro is reduced from $79.95 to $59.95. The reduction was
made possible by the introduction of Audio files which answer many questions and have reduced the
demands on our support staff. With the combination of extensive audio files and a Help file,
DM Pro is easier than ever to learn and use.
30 March 2006
Version 4.2 revised
The revised version of version 4.2 allows a new Batch Mode. This additional mode allows quick entry
of specifications when the specs for all the sessions are exactly the same. And the maximum
number of sessions in a Batch can be up to 999 instead of the 20 maximum in the original Batch Mode.
2 February 2006
Version 4.2 released
Dealmaster Pro now has extensive Audio files to supplement the Help file for even easier learning.
BATCH PROCESSING now allows multiple sessions with the same date. Plus: Names of output files can
be based on the Session Name as well as Session Date and Sequential number.
Determine makeable contracts 40% faster! Using this faster option bypasses determination of best opening lead.
Entering and printing suit symbols in Notes improved. A special new font enables easy keystrokes to enter suit
symbols. Printouts have suit symbols perfectly placed. All your notes will be automatically converted!
7 September 2005
Version 4.1 released
Version 4.0 was released for new orders in July, but was not available for update downloads. Version 4.1 corrects some problems in version 4.0.
All facets of the Dealmaster Pro programs are now in 32 bit languages. This is a technical upgrade that eliminates
occasional problems on some computer configurations.
The "Design your own Traveller" function is completely redesigned for greater flexibility
Data files may now be stored in a different folder. This should not affect most users but will be convenient for some
You can have multiple Browse files. Again, this will have value for a few users under unusual circumstances.
Several program errors have been corrected.
Some minor changes in menus and screen colors
8 September 2004
Version 3.1 released
HCP and Shape Recap on Hand Records. There is now an option to print a brief statistical recap on Hand Records.
The Recap shows the following for each hand (N, E, S and W): Avg HCP, Number of balanced hands, Number of voids, Number of Singletons, Number of hands with a suit of 7+ cards.
There is a new option on the Simulator Control Center to print the specifications of a Simulator session.
25 March 2004
Version 3.0. "Facing Out" Printouts featured
The new "Facing Out" printouts are great for duplicating boards! Format options are available. See samples below.
This format is practical for duplicating boards for club or tournament games
This format can be used by bridge teachers. Note that the Hand name ("North") can be
reversed out of grey instead of black as in example 1.
3 January 2004
Version 2.91corrects several errors
Version 2.9 required that screen resolution be set to 1024 x 768 or higher. Version 2.91 allows 800 x 600
as in previous versions.
The error which caused the century to be set to "19" instead of "20" (eg "1904" in place of "2004") has been corrected.
Several minor changes made.
17 December 2003
Version 2.9 Enables resequencing Browse file deals
The sequence of deals in the Browse file can now be changed. A key point is that the first deal in the new sequence can be given a Board Number other than 1. This makes it practical to make a selection of deals
and assign Board Numbers to them starting with any number (1-93). The Session Name and Date can also be changed.
Batch Processing has been tested and one minor correction made.
26 Nov 2003
Version 2.8 (test). Enables Batch Processing
We are releasing version 2.8 as a test version. It has been through beta testing and is thoroughly tested here but some may want to wait until it has been used more extensively in the field.
The principal new feature is that unattended Batch Processing for Creating Deals for Club Play is now available. You can enter specifications for up to twenty (ten in the test version) sessions and the process (especially the time consuming process of determining makeable contracts) will process completely unattended. Just let it do its thing while you do something else!
The other changed feature is that printouts of two, three and four deals per page initiated from the Output Options screen will now print in "stacked" mode for easy cutting ... no more need to manually collate!
Sept 21, 2003
Version 2.7
We discovered recently that there is a remote chance (about 1 in 1,000,000) that the Create Deals for Club Play
function could duplicate a previously created set of deals. The problem has been eliminated in the current
edition of version 2.7. We recommend that you download that now if you use the Create Deals for Club Play function.
May 1, 2003
Version 2.7
We have revised version 2.7 to correct the problem in the Print Preview. Previously, many of you found that
moving around in the print preview distorted the actual printout. We believe our changes will correct this.
Several minor program problems have been corrected.
March 26, 2003
Version 2.7
An HTML file may now be created for Hand Record data. It includes Makeable Contracts. Added convenience to post your Hand Records on your web site.
Duplimate DLM files and Autodealer BRI and BRE files may now be imported and exported.
When an output TXT file is requested for one or more deals, there are now options to include the
following in the TXT file:
The five Note lines entered for the top of the Hand Record.
Makeable contracts data
Best opening leads
The auction
Several minor program problems have been corrected.
November 4, 2002
Version 2.6
The function to import Duplimate DLM files is complete and verified. If that is not a function you use, there is no need to download version 2.6 if you have version 2.5a
October 19, 2002
Version 2.5a
Importing Duplimate DLM files: this function is now available for testing.
Changes have been made to clarify the Print Preview function.
Several minors errors have been corrected.
COMING SOON: Option to create HTML files of Hand Records showing Makeable Contracts.
Perfect for your club's web site!
October 5, 2002
Version 2.5
PBN (Portable Bridge Notation) files may now be Imported.
When output Text files are created for deals on a Hand Record, there are now options to
include the Makeable Contracts, the best leads against Makeable Contracts, and the Auction. These can be very valuable for adding information from DM Pro to emails.
Travellers in your own designed format may now be printed for deals selected from the Browse File. Several minor problems with travellers have been fixed.
When Deep Finesse is analyzing deals, there is a new option to bypass the analysis for a deal. Valuable when an analysis is taking a longer time than you would like.
After each printout, there is now a "Print Again?" option.
When computing Makeable Contracts, several unusual contracts not previously tested
for are now checked.
COMING SOON: especially for teachers and Club Directors: Printouts for 1 deal/page and 2 deals/page will have an option to have each hand FACING OUT ... great for your students and players to make up boards.
July 31, 2002
Version 2.41
The following errors have been corrected:
1. In the Browse File, if a deal was Edited and "Exit...No Save" was selected from the Deal Edit Screen, the Auction
of the next deal was corrupted.
2. Formatting of the "Hand-i-Point" Printout has been corrected.
May 30, 2002
Version 2.4
The Print Program has been completely rewritten to accomodate some new printers and to improve spacing on some printouts.
You may now DESIGN YOUR OWN TRAVELLER FORMAT ... one or more.
All printouts are now available for A4 paper size.
A new statistical summary is now available for completely random deals created for Club Play. This will help assure
players of the accuracy of the deal generator.
The problem experienced by a few users of Deep Finesse not opening the correct deal has been corrected.
December 1, 2001
Version 2.2
You can now compute MAKEABLE CONTRACTS for a deal from the Deal Edit Screen. The Makeable Contracts are displayed on the Deal Edit screen and that data and the best leads are automatically stored in the Note! Great for teachers!
The Browse Window has been revised to show the auction and the Makeable Contracts (for deals where they have been computed). Also, you can open the Note from the Browse Window.
Output generated by the Deep Finesse analyzer is saved to the Browse File and is shown on the Browse Window.
An EXCEL file can be created with data generated by Deep Finesse. The file contains Scores and IMP's. Excellent for your own further analyses.
June 27, 2001
Version 2.1.
In the DM Pro SIMULATOR, you can now save the specifications for one hand (N, E, S or W) and use them in the future for any hand. Of course, there is still the facility to save the specs for all four hands. The facility to use Deep Finesse to determine MAKEABLE CONTRACTS now has two levels of analysis: (1) as in the past; (2) one that will take more computer time but which will analyze the potential of making additional contracts (generally, only contracts that have a reasonable chance of making are analyzed).
March 2001 Revolutionary version 2.0 released
The following are just the new features ... added to all the other famous Dealmaster Pro features!
Version 2.0 of Dealmaster Pro features a major interface with Deep Finesse (Deep Finesse), the popular 100% accurate double dummy analyzer, enabling analyses of sets of bridge deals never before practical. Separate purchase of Deep Finesse not required.
In addition, the popular Dealmaster Pro Hand Records and Travellers can
display makeable contracts for each deal.
The program is now available. We had a super reaction to the new features at the NABC in Kansas City. Current users may download a free update from this web site.
Through a special arrangement with the author of Deep Finesse, Dealmaster Pro 2.0 can directly access the analytical engine of Deep Finesse, even if Deep Finesse is not installed. This makes possible valuable statistical analyses of deals generated by the powerful Dealmaster Pro simulator.
1. Revolutionary Hand Records and Travellers display
makeable contracts for each deal! A boon for analyses.
On Deal No. 13, East and West can make 5C, 4H and 4NT
Options to print 18 or 24 deals per page!
User has option to display makeable contracts.
Additional option to show makeable contracts on Travellers
2. Unique new statistical analyses now available.
New tools for players, teachers, writers,analysts.
Analyze alternate contracts.
Analyze opening Leads.
More!
Samples of analyses...
1. A user wants to know how much better it is to play in a 4-4 fit than a 5-3 fit when both are available. He asks Dealmaster Pro to create, say, 300 deals where North/South have a 4-4 fit in spades and a 5-3 fit in hearts and a requisite number of high card points for game potential. He then asks for two Deep Finesse analyses: (1) of the tricks available if South plays in Spades; (2) of tricks available if South plays in Hearts. The Deep Finesse analyzer will be used to compute the tricks available to South in both Spades and Hearts for each deal and present a statistical summary and an analysis of best opening leads.
Here is the screen display for the above study:
Among other things the study shows that about 1% (3156/3117) more tricks are available in the 4-4 Spade fit. Also the best lead against spade contracts will come from one suit only on 73 deals; and from 62 deals on heart contracts.
A printout is available.
2. A user had been on lead against a 3NT contract and wants an analysis of the best opening lead. He enters his specific holding and then the specifications for the Declarer and dummy that would have provided the 3NT contract. He asks for 200 deals to be generated and then for two analyses: (1) of the tricks available and best leads for all deals; and (2) to show the number of deals that make and the number that go down and of the winning lead for those that are set. The Dealmaster Pro recap shows, among other things, how many times each card in the opening lead hand was a winning lead.
Up to four studies of a set of deals can be done at the same time. Each is for a specified Declarer/Suit (example: "How many tricks are available if South plays in Spades?") or for a specified contract by a specified declarer ("What happens if South plays in 4S?"). If multiple analyses are requested, an additional recap compares results. Printouts of all studies are available.
An option allows the user to examine each deal and view the best opening leads available for each of the one to four studies requested. If the user has Deep Finesse installed, that program can be opened for any deal for additional study of trick play and alternate contracts.
See the Download page to retrieve the latest version.
Download
October 2000
ACBL Education Dept endorses Dealmaster Pro
The September issue of "The Bridge Teacher" features the following article by Julie Greenberg, head of the ACBL Education Dept:
Dealmaster Pro for Great Classroom Materials
"Do you hate the drudgery of making up professional classroom
materials?
The exasperation when trying to create a dozen deals
illustrating a
lesson concept? The drudgery of making sure you haven't
missed or
duplicated a card? The tedium of trying to create
professional looking
handouts for your students? Would you love 25, 50 or more
deals,
completely random or to any specifications you want, printed
in a Hand
Record format with accompanying travellers? Would you be
delighted with
a complete computer library of all your favorite deals, each
classified
in multiple ways for efforless retrieval? Would you like to
be able to
switch
cards between hands, rotate hands, flips hands, flip suits
... all with
just a mouse click?
Dealmaster Pro, the latest product of the fertile
imagination of Ed
Marzo, provides easy solutions to all the above .... and
much more.
Dealmaster
Pro, the successor to The Bridge Dealmaster, has complete
"On-line"
help,
making it easier than ever to learn and use the numerous
functions of
the program. And Marzo is always available to answer
questions ... one
of the reasons he was awarded a special citation by the
American Bridge
Teachers Association at their recent annual convention."
August 18 2000
Author honored with Special Citation
Ed Marzo, author of Dealmaster and Dealmaster Pro, received a special citation at the 2000 annual convention of the American Bridge Teachers Association. The following is from the ABTA Quarterly for Summer 2000
"Dealmaster Pro is a complete organizational tool for bridge teachers. CREATED by ED MARZO. You can create professional classroom materials quickly. Key in your own hands and have them magically appear in professional format. Create quizzes. Imagine what it would be like to print out hands that have two 6 of hearts or only 12 cards. With Dealmaster this is impossible. The program will also deal hands to your specifications. Need a Weak Two hand? Or 10 of them? Or a Splinter hand. Describe the specifications and bingo! You can create fabulous bid 'em up sheets for your students to practice bidding in pairs (they love it).
This program comes highly recommended by Eric Rodwell, Larry Cohen and Paul Soloway. Bobby Goldman swore by it. If you have never used it, you simply have to get it. It will change your teaching career and add years to your life.
...
The ABTA wishes to recognize ED MARZO and award him with a special citation for his work in creating DEALMASTER. We don't usually do this, but his program has done so much to help us as teachers to improve our teaching and presentation and has helped countless students to better learn the game. Ed is an exceptional man who spends hours helping teachers in person and over the phone to deal with their specific needs .... We wish to therefore award Ed with a special Citation and a certificate for his devotion to our profession."
November 29, 1999
Dealmaster Pro released
Dealmaster Pro has all Dealmaster's famous features PLUS the "ultimate" Deal Generator/Simulator. Deal Generation is up to 40 times faster! It will deal and check about 60,000 deals a second on a fast computer. Regular Dealmaster's Deal Generator/Simulator are very powerful and satisfies the requirements of many users. For those who need even more in Deal Generation power, we believe Dealmaster Pro has all the answers. It is perhaps 20 times more powerful than Dealmaster.
Prices: Dealmaster Pro is $79.95. Users of The Bridge Dealmaster may upgrade to Dealmaster Pro for $20. See Order page.
Dealmaster Pro Features
===========================
July 21, 1999
Great new American Travellers.
Version 3.51: There are three new Traveler formats .. great headings ... 20, 28 and 34 lines.
===========================
July 19, 1999
Full Support of Windows NT and fast computers.
In previous versions, Dealmaster did not operate on Windows NT and fast computers. Version 3.5 eliminates this limitation
===========================
March 11, 1999
Create files for Bridge Playing Programs.
You can now easily create files of deals generated or saved by Dealmaster for any of the following bridge playing programs:
GIB ... Micro Bridge ... Q-Plus ... BridgeMate ... Perfect Partner
PLUS --- Any program which accepts the PBN (Portable Bridge Notation) format or the CBF (Common Bridge Format) format.
February 2, 1999
Create files for Autodealer machines.
Version 3.31 provides facilities to create .BRI and .BRE files to operate Autodealer machines.
December 10, 1998
Version 3.3 is now available for users to download. In response to requests, the new feature in v. 3.3 enables users to create TEXT files of the data displayed in five different printout formats. The principal objective is to enable users to create deals and, for bidding practice and analysis, to send partners email or fax messages containing either a specific hand (eg North) or all hands. The TEXT file output is available for the Hand Record format which prints N, E, S and W and for the Practice Bidding sheets for North, East, South and West.
Example: assume you generate 60 deals for bidding practice. You will bid the North hands and your partner in another place will bid the South. When you make your print selections, you will have an opportunity to create a TEXT file of the 60 South hands which you then email or fax to your partner.
DEALMASTER PRO tm
Ward & Sons, Inc.
P.O. Box 331, Agawam, MA 01001
413-789-4267
email: dealmaster@dealmaster.com
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