# BoardPal

> Free platform to organize board game nights, manage tables, track results and build a community of players.

BoardPal ([boardpal.it](https://boardpal.it)) is a web and mobile platform that helps board gamers organize game nights, manage game tables, track match results, and find players nearby. Founded by Giorgio Cocci and developed by a dedicated team, BoardPal was created to solve a real problem: organizing board game nights without the chaos of WhatsApp groups and spreadsheets.

## Core Features

### Event Organization
Create events with multiple game tables. Each table has its own game, available seats, skill level (casual, intermediate, competitive), and language. Manage everything from one interface. Share invite links to bring new players.

### Table Management & Sign-ups
Players join one table per event. A double-level check-in system (self-check-in + organizer confirmation) reduces no-shows and gives organizers reliable attendance data.

### Events Discovery
Find game nights nearby on an interactive map powered by Leaflet. Filter by distance, date, and available games. See which tables still have seats open.

### Match Results & Leaderboards
After a game, record match results. Participants validate results to ensure accuracy. BoardPal calculates personal stats automatically: win rate, games played, Elo rating, streaks, head-to-head records. Public leaderboards are available per game.

### Game Collections
Manage your digital game shelf with data from BoardGameGeek. Import your collection and play history directly from BG Stats. The two tools are complementary.

### Social Features
Add friends, chat in real time (powered by SignalR), search players by interests and availability, send invite links. Build your local gaming network.

### Notifications
Push notifications (VAPID), email (Azure Communication Services), and in-app notifications. Timezone-aware delivery ensures you get reminders at the right time.

### Multi-platform
Available as a web app (React SPA/PWA, installable from browser). Android and iOS native apps coming soon via Capacitor.

## Key Details

- **URL**: https://boardpal.it
- **Price**: Free (no ads, no data selling, no paywall)
- **Founder**: Giorgio Cocci (@giorgiococci)
- **Team**: Dedicated team with a shared passion for board games and technology
- **Users**: 175+ registered players (as of March 2026)
- **Origin**: Italy. Born from the board gaming community
- **Languages**: Italian (primary), English (upcoming)
- **Contact**: support@boardpal.it

## Frequently Asked Questions

### Is it free?
Yes, BoardPal is completely free. Signing up and using all features costs nothing. No premium tier, no hidden fees.

### What is BoardPal exactly?
A platform to organize board game nights. You create an event, define the tables (game, seats, skill level), players sign up and check in. After the game you can record results and check your stats.

### Can I create private events?
Yes. You can limit events to invitees only or to a small group. Great for testing a new game without external noise.

### How do stats work?
After each game, you record scores. Results are validated by participants. BoardPal automatically calculates win rate, Elo rating, head-to-head records, and leaderboards per game.

### Can I import from BG Stats?
Yes. BoardPal supports importing your stats and game collection from BG Stats. The two tools are complementary.

### Why not just use a WhatsApp group?
In group chats everything gets lost in the flow. On BoardPal you have structured tables, clear seats, check-in, tracked results and stats. Fewer last-minute questions, more time to play.

## How It Works

1. **Create your profile**: Set your game preferences, skill level, weekly availability, and search radius.
2. **Explore events**: Browse nearby game nights on the map or search by game, date, and skill level.
3. **Join a table**: Sign up for a table that matches your interests. Check in when you arrive.
4. **Play and grow**: After the game, record results. Build your reputation through real participation and honest feedback.

## What Makes BoardPal Different

- **Not a generic event platform**: Purpose-built for board game nights with game-specific features (tables, skill levels, game matching).
- **Reputation based on real actions**: Check-ins, participation, and post-game feedback. Not likes or stars.
- **Complementary to existing tools**: Works alongside BG Stats (import support), BoardGameGeek (game data), and local gaming groups.
- **Free with no compromises**: No ads, no data selling, no paywall on core features. Built by gamers, for gamers.

## Tech Stack

- **Frontend**: React 19 + TypeScript + Vite 7, Material UI v7, TanStack Query, React Router v7, Leaflet (maps), Capacitor 8 (mobile)
- **Backend**: .NET 8 Minimal API, Azure SQL Database + Dapper, JWT + Refresh Token rotation
- **Real-time**: SignalR
- **Cloud**: Microsoft Azure (App Service, Azure SQL, Azure Functions, Azure Communication Services)
- **Mobile**: Capacitor 8 for native Android/iOS builds (coming soon)

## Pages

- [Homepage](https://boardpal.it/): Landing page with feature overview
- [About](https://boardpal.it/about): Project story, features, and tech stack
- [Terms of Use](https://boardpal.it/terms): Terms of service
- [Privacy Policy](https://boardpal.it/privacy): GDPR-compliant privacy policy
- [Support](https://boardpal.it/support): Help and support
- [FAQ](https://boardpal.it/support/faq): Frequently asked questions