Getting Started
Who is this for?
Home game hosts and content creators primarily. See the setup guide to get started in under an hour.
How long does a typical setup take?
Initial setup takes 3–6 hours for a one-man team with everything ordered. After initial setup, it takes 2–3 minutes to go live. Really simple. Follow the step-by-step setup guide to get it right the first time.
Is there a shopping list for everything I need to buy?
Read the Setup Guide - listen to the warnings carefully so you don't waste money like I did.
How do the cameras mount to the table?
For the simplest setup, tuck the cable under the armrest and keep the docks under the table. The exact arrangement is up to you as the host - ours looks great and is barely noticeable. Check the Setup Guide for details.
Hardware & Compatibility
Does it work on Windows?
Poker Panel runs on Mac, iPad, and iPhone - any modern Apple device will work. Windows is not currently supported. Check the hardware requirements for the full list of what you need.
Why is it Mac only?
I won't ship a software that isn't 100% battle tested and proven to work. I could make a Windows version but I use the macOS one to stream.
What Mac specs do I need?
2018 or later, you should be good. See the full hardware shopping list for everything else you'll need.
Can I use USB webcams instead of iPhones?
Nope - you shouldn't want to do that anyway. They are too zoomed out and it will look awful.
Do I need internet to use it?
Yes - an internet connection is required to stream. A stable Wi-Fi or Ethernet connection is recommended for the best broadcast quality.
How It Works
How many players can it support?
Poker Panel supports 2–8 players per table. You'll use 2–4 iPhones as cameras - one is dedicated to community cards via CardEYE. More camera support is coming in future updates. See the iPhone camera setup for wiring details.
How many tables can I run at once?
One.
What games does it support?
Just Hold'em for now.
How accurate is the card detection?
CardEYE is highly accurate when used correctly. Most misreads come from user error. Hold hole cards 3–6 inches from the camera, and for community cards, position the camera overhead near the dealer and zoom in a reasonable amount. We recommend using a card design similar to the one shown on our site - holding cards closer does not guarantee a better read. See the webcam mounting section of the setup guide for optimal camera placement.
Can I customize the overlay?
For beta just one overlay right now, adding better ones post launch.
Do I need a commentator or can it run unmanned?
It's good to have one to monitor the situation, but not required.
Streaming & Content
What platforms can I stream to?
Twitch. More platforms coming soon.
What quality does it stream at?
1080p30. Twitch doesn't let users go much higher. Phones are also not good at encoding 4K with good latency.
Is there a delay on the stream?
There is currently no built-in stream delay. A configurable delay option may be added in a future update. In the meantime, you can set a delay directly from your Twitch dashboard.
Can players at the table see the stream?
Standard home game etiquette applies - no AirPods, no phones at the table, and players should keep an eye on each other. It's pretty obvious when someone tries to cheat.
Can viewers interact with the stream?
Currently they can chat and the commentator can see it.
Can I use it without streaming - just for recording?
Yes. Simply don't enter any stream keys and hit "Go Live" - Poker Panel will record everything to disk without streaming. A dedicated recording-only mode is coming in a future update.
Does it support vertical video for TikTok or Shorts?
Absolutely - we want to support clippers to the fullest extent. Reach out if you need me to add something.
What happens if the internet drops mid-stream?
Depends how severe - just start the stream again once it comes back.
What if something breaks during a stream?
Re-plug in phones, check cables, check keys, check internet, check webcam arrangement. If it's really bad, reset the program. If it still doesn't work, contact support.
Pricing & Support
Is there a free trial?
It's free during beta. To see exactly how Poker Panel works, explore the setup guide and watch CollegeCardRoom on Twitch for real, uncut footage of the software in action. Ready to try it? Join the waitlist.
What happens to my recordings if I cancel?
All streams and recordings are saved locally to your disk - they're yours to keep forever, even after you cancel. Cloud backup via Google Drive may be added in a future update.
How do I get support?
[email protected] or [email protected]. You can also visit our support page for more resources.
How often is the software updated?
Update frequency varies based on severity - could be daily or weekly.
How is this different from PokerGFX?
AI vision instead of RFID means 1/10th the price. RFID cards break all the time, readers are not 100% accurate. An RFID table also requires full construction time and equipment. PokerGFX also doesn't natively support iPhones and relies on streaming software like OBS to go live. See our setup guide for what you actually need.