Backgammon Circle
Terms of Use
Version 3.0, effective from 20 November 2026
The French version of this document is the only legally binding version. This English translation is provided for information only, for users who do not read French; in case of any discrepancy, the French version prevails.
1. Purpose
These Terms of Use define the rules for accessing and using Backgammon Circle (the "Service"), an online backgammon platform available on backgammoncircle.com and in the Backgammon Circle mobile applications for iOS and Android.
The Service lets you play backgammon against other players or computer opponents, analyse your games, follow courses and exercises, take part in rankings and tournaments, and interact within a community. It offers no gambling: no stakes, no money prizes, no virtual currency. The only rewards are badges, rankings and titles shown on your profile.
Basic use of the Service is free. Paid offers give access to additional features; they are governed by the Terms of Sale, which supplement these terms.
Any use of the Service implies acceptance of these Terms of Use. A user who does not accept them must refrain from using the Service.
2. Publisher
The Service is published by Backgammon Circle, a French single-shareholder simplified joint-stock company (SASU) with a share capital of €2,000, registered office at 47 rue Vivienne, 75002 Paris, France, Paris Trade and Companies Register no. 130 976 210, represented by its President, Nicolas Andrieu.
Contact: contact@backgammoncircle.com. Phone: +33 7 56 88 13 97.
3. Account
3.1 Registration
Registration is free. It requires a valid email address and a username, or the use of a Google or Apple account. The same account gives access to the website and the applications.
Users must be at least 13 years old. A user who has not reached the digital age of consent in force in their country of residence (15 in France, 16 in some European Union countries) declares that they register with the agreement of their legal guardian. Paid offers are reserved for adults or minors authorised by their legal guardian.
Users undertake to provide accurate information and keep it up to date. Each user may hold only one account; multiple accounts may be deleted without notice.
3.2 Credentials
Users are responsible for keeping their credentials confidential and for any activity carried out from their account. They must promptly inform Backgammon Circle of any unauthorised use at contact@backgammoncircle.com.
3.3 Public profile
Each account has a public profile at backgammoncircle.com/player/[username], showing the username, country, photo, biography, statistics, badges and game history. This profile is visible to everyone, including unregistered visitors, and may be indexed by search engines. Users may, in their settings, limit the visibility of their profile or request its exclusion from search engines.
4. The Service
4.1 Game modes
The Service offers local games on a single screen, games against six computer opponents clearly identified as such ("bots"), live online games against other users matched by skill level, and correspondence games played over several days. Games against these six bots do not affect the rating.
4.2 Rating, league, tournaments
Each user has an Elo rating, calculated automatically from the results of their rated online games. Public rankings, a monthly tiered league and user-organised tournaments are offered. Tournaments are free and without prizes; their rules (format, time control, mandatory check-in before each round, automatic forfeit) are displayed at registration and are binding on participants.
4.3 Behaviour score
Each account has a behaviour score between 0 and 100, calculated automatically from conduct in games: resigning, failing to make a first move, leaving a lobby and losing on time lower the score; each completed game raises it. The score is visible on the profile and is a condition for creating tournaments. Each change is logged and viewable by the user, who may dispute one at contact@backgammoncircle.com.
4.4 Learning and analysis
The Service offers courses, daily exercises, position series and game analyses. Analyses and play-quality indicators are produced by computing engines (GNU Backgammon, WildBG) and are provided for information. Teaching comments attributed to the character "Maestro André" are written with the help of artificial intelligence; Maestro André is a fictional character.
4.5 Community
The Service lets users add friends, exchange private messages with them, join or create clubs and take part in club life (posts, chat). Club managers may remove a member and delete a post within their club. A user may invite a non-registered person by email, up to twenty invitations per day; the invitation identifies the user who sent it and lets the recipient opt out of any further invitation.
4.6 Editorial content
The Service publishes a blog, competitive backgammon news and profiles of professional players compiled from public sources. Articles are written in French or English and translated into other languages with the help of artificial intelligence. Anyone who is the subject of a profile may request its correction or removal at privacy@backgammoncircle.com.
4.7 Changes and availability
Backgammon Circle develops the Service continuously and may add, change or remove features. Removal of a feature included in a paid offer is governed by the Terms of Sale. Backgammon Circle strives to ensure permanent access but does not guarantee the absence of interruptions, in particular for maintenance.
5. Rules of conduct
5.1 Behaviour
Users undertake to use the Service in compliance with the law, these Terms of Use and other users. It is prohibited to:
- choose a username, photo, biography, club or tournament name that is offensive, misleading, impersonates a third party or infringes their rights;
- harass, insult, threaten or discriminate against other users;
- post unlawful, hateful, violent or sexual content or content contrary to public order;
- collect data on other users or solicit them for commercial purposes;
- use the Service to send unsolicited messages or advertising.
5.2 Fair play
Users undertake to play fairly. It is prohibited to:
- use software, an engine, outside assistance or an automated program during an online game, including correspondence games;
- manipulate one's own or another's rating (arranged games, deliberate losses, collusion between accounts, multiple accounts);
- systematically resign or leave games to harm other users;
- exploit a malfunction of the Service to gain an advantage.
5.3 Posted content
Users are solely responsible for the content they post (username, photo, biography, messages, posts, club logos and themes, tournament names and descriptions). They warrant that they hold the necessary rights to that content and grant Backgammon Circle a non-exclusive, free, worldwide licence to reproduce and display it within the Service for as long as it is online.
6. Reporting and moderation
6.1 Reporting
Any user may report another user or a piece of content from their profile, a game, a club or a post, stating the reason. Anyone, registered or not, may report content they consider unlawful at contact@backgammoncircle.com, giving the address of the content, the reason and their contact details. Backgammon Circle acknowledges receipt and reviews each report within a reasonable time.
6.2 Measures
In case of breach of these Terms of Use, Backgammon Circle may take, in proportion to the seriousness and repetition of the facts, one or more of the following measures:
- removal or modification of content;
- a warning notified by email;
- temporary or permanent restriction of communication features (in-game chat, private messages, clubs);
- adjustment of the behaviour score;
- temporary suspension of the account;
- termination of the account, for serious or repeated breaches, resulting in loss of current subscriptions without refund under the Terms of Sale.
Any measure other than removal of manifestly unlawful content is notified to the user by email with its reason. The user may dispute it by replying to that notification within thirty days; Backgammon Circle reviews its decision and replies within a reasonable time.
6.3 Blocking
Each user may block another user, who will no longer be able to message or challenge them.
6.4 Access to messages
Private messages and club chats are stored on the Service's servers. Backgammon Circle accesses them only in case of a report concerning them, for moderation purposes, or at the request of a legally authorised authority.
6.5 Point of contact
For any question relating to moderation and content, including from authorities, Backgammon Circle's single point of contact is contact@backgammoncircle.com, in French or English.
7. Intellectual property
The Service, its code, design, graphics, texts, courses, translations, logos and visual identity are the property of Backgammon Circle and are protected by copyright and trademark law. The trademark "Backgammon Circle" is registered with the French INPI under number 5232833.
Any reproduction, extraction or exploitation of all or part of the Service without written authorisation is prohibited. Games played on the Service and their data (moves, results, statistics) may be used by Backgammon Circle in anonymised form for service improvement, research and editorial content.
The GNU Backgammon and WildBG engines are third-party software used under their respective licences.
8. Personal data and cookies
The processing of personal data is described in the Privacy Policy, and the use of cookies and trackers in the Cookie Policy. These documents form part of these terms.
9. Liability
The Service is provided as is. Backgammon Circle does not guarantee the absence of errors or any particular result, in particular regarding game analyses. Backgammon Circle is not liable for content posted by users, for the behaviour of other users, or for indirect damage resulting from the use or inability to use the Service. Statutory warranties applicable to paid offers remain available to consumers.
10. Account deletion
10.1 By the user
Users may request deletion of their account at any time from their settings. The account is immediately deactivated and hidden. During the following thirty days, logging in again reactivates the account; after that period, the account and its data are permanently deleted under the Privacy Policy. Games played against other users are kept in those users' history in anonymised form.
Deletion ends current subscriptions and any lifetime access, without refund; the user is warned before confirming.
10.2 By Backgammon Circle
Backgammon Circle may terminate an account under section 6.2. An account with no login for thirty-six months is deleted, after a warning email sent thirty days beforehand.
11. Changes to these terms
Backgammon Circle may amend these Terms of Use. Any substantial change is notified by email at least thirty days before it takes effect, and acceptance is requested at the next login. A user who refuses it may delete their account; for paid offers, the Terms of Sale apply. The current version is always available on the website and in the application.
12. Languages
These Terms of Use are written in French, the only legally binding version. An English translation is provided for information; in case of any discrepancy, the French version prevails.
13. Governing law and disputes
These Terms of Use are governed by French law, without prejudice to more protective mandatory rules of the consumer user's country of residence.
In case of dispute, the parties seek an amicable solution. A consumer user may refer the matter to the consumer mediator named in the Terms of Sale. Failing that, the dispute falls under the courts having jurisdiction under the French Code of Civil Procedure and European Union law.
14. Contact
For any question: contact@backgammoncircle.com. For personal data: privacy@backgammoncircle.com.