Button Timer Review

www.buttontimer.com
(Dead link - Fall 2010)

The Button Timer is a poker tournament dealer button and blinds timer. The Button Timer looks like a traditional dealer button and is available in white or black. You can even have your customized name or graphics printed on the face. The Button Timer will time your poker blinds and can alternatively be used to time players who are put on the clock.

Operating the unit

You power on the unit on by pressing and holding the right button for two seconds and you power it off by pressing the same button for three seconds.

You can set the timer length from 2 minutes to 99 minutes in 1 minute increments. The display advances more quickly when you hold down the button. You start/pause/unpause the unit by pressing the right button. You reset the timer by pressing both the right and left buttons at the same time.

There is a one-page instruction sheet included with the Button Timer and there are small instructions printed on the back of the unit. The Button Timer website includes a good instruction page on how to use the Button Timer.

Time Limit mode

The Button Timer can be used to time players who take too long to act and are "put on the clock". You can set the timer for 15, 30, 60, or 90 seconds. You cannot use the Button Timer blinds timer and the clock timer at the same time.

Poker alarm

The alarm beeps until you press the button on the right side. The timer automatically resets to the previously entered length of time and you press the same button again to restart the timer. The alarm was loud enough and must be located within the unit because lifting the timer from the table did not make the alarm any louder.

Timer screen

The timer display is 6 mm (¼ inch) in height and 18 mm (¾ inch) wide. The display is a bit small and is only about half the size of the DB Dealer Button, its closest competitor.

Battery

The battery indicator lets you know when the battery is running low by displaying LO:BA when the unit is powered on. The unit uses a CR1616 battery in a typical 'insert coin and unscrew' cover on the bottom of the unit.

Press and hold the right button for two seconds to power on the timer and three seconds to power it off. The timer will automatically power off after 24 hours of non-use.

Construction

The unit itself is well-built and sturdy. There are no buttons or seams protruding from the unit and it should withstand a fairly high drop to the floor. There is a lifetime warranty on manufacturer's defects.

The unit is 50 mm (2 inches) in diameter, 6.5 mm (¼ inch) in height. The display is 6 mm (¼ inch) in height and 18 mm (¾ inch) wide and weighs 17.18 grams.

Packaging

The Button Timer is shipped in a cardboard box that is the same width as a cardboard playing card box but only about half the height. It should fit easily into any poker chip case that has storage for a deck of playing cards. Clamshell (plastic) packaging is also available for retailers.

Price

The price of the Button Timer is $15.95 and includes a free cut card. You get one Button Timer free if you purchase two.

Overall

The Button Timer is a good option if you are looking for a good, cheap, simple blinds timer. It is small and sleek and looks like a traditional poker dealer puck. The only downside is that the display is a bit small.

You probably will not have a problem with your players messing around with this timer, causing it to stop or reset - you have to know where the buttons are located and make a determined effort to press them. The buttons are recessed into the side of the unit, making it almost impossible to accidentally press a button or reset the timer. January 2008

Visit the Button Timer website at

www.buttontimer.com

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