> For the complete documentation index, see [llms.txt](https://countertrade.gitbook.io/docs/llms.txt). Markdown versions of documentation pages are available by appending `.md` to page URLs; this page is available as [Markdown](https://countertrade.gitbook.io/docs/battles/private-rooms-and-invitations.md).

# Private rooms & invitations

Open a private-room invite link, sign in with a linked wallet, and pay the entry fee to join.

A private room is invite-only. You reach it through an invite link someone sends you — it won't appear in Battle Hub, and opening a private room you weren't invited to won't show it. Joining still charges the entry fee on-chain, the same as a public room.

## Before you start

* A wallet on your account. You can open an invite and see the room summary without signing in, but joining, trading, and claiming all need a wallet linked to your account. If you signed in with Google, you link one on the invite page itself.
* The room's entry-fee token in that wallet. The invite page shows the exact entry fee before you commit.

## Steps

1. Open the invite link. The page is titled **Private room invite** and shows the room's name, entry fee, how many seats are filled, and the start time — you see this even before you sign in.
2. Sign in if you're logged out. Select **Log in to accept invite** and sign in with Google or with a wallet.
3. If you signed in with Google, select **Link a wallet to accept this invite**. Connect a wallet if asked, then sign the message in your wallet — it costs no gas. Once the wallet is linked, the page carries on with the invite.
4. Select **Continue to join**. If you haven't set a trader name yet, you'll be prompted to add one before the join goes through.
5. Confirm the transaction in your wallet. Your entry fee is charged on-chain and held in escrow — the entry fee is real; the paper balance you trade with in the room is simulated and can't be withdrawn.

Once the join is confirmed on-chain, you land in the room ready to trade, and the page shows **Joined ✓ — redirecting…**. Your entry fee stays in escrow until the room settles or is cancelled.

## If something goes wrong

* **This invite link has expired.** — The link's validity window has passed. Ask the person who sent it for a fresh link.
* **This room is full.** — Every seat is taken. There's no waitlist; you can't join this room.
* **This invite link has already been used.** — The link's uses are exhausted. Ask for a new one.
* **This invite link is no longer active.** — The invite was revoked. Ask for a new one.
* **You have already joined this room.** — You're already a participant; open the room from your rooms list.
* **The join window for this room has closed.** — Joining is no longer open for this room, so a new link won't help.

## An invite is not a referral

An invite link joins you to one specific private room. A referral link is different — it earns you a share of the platform fee when someone you referred plays a paid room. See [How referrals work](/docs/funds-and-settlement/referrals.md).

## Related

* [Join a room](/docs/battles/join-a-room.md)
* [How referrals work](/docs/funds-and-settlement/referrals.md)