You can’t control outcomes, but you can control exposure. This guide shows a practical stack of deposit/loss/wagering caps, reality checks and timeouts that work across sites—plus a vault skim that keeps wins off the table.
1) Build your limit stack (5 minutes)
- Deposit limit: weekly cap = entertainment budget only (no top-ups). Good default: 2–4× your average session stake.
- Loss limit: per-day ceiling tied to your unit size (see below). Common frame: −3 units from the day’s peak.
- Wagering cap: total turnover per day; stops “autopilot spins”. Set to ~100–200× your unit.
- Time limit: 45–60 minutes total play/day; better 3 short blocks than one long spiral.
2) Flat unit & session blocks
- Unit size: flat 1–2% of bankroll per spin/hand—no mid-block edits.
- Blocks: play 12–18 minutes with a visible timer, then take 2–3 minutes off-screen.
- Stops: end the day at +2 units profit or −3 units from the day’s peak—whichever hits first.
3) Reality checks that actually interrupt
- Enable on-site reality checks every 12–18 minutes (not hourly). Require click-to-continue.
- Show a mini-log on each pop-up: start → current balance, best peak (for vault), mood 1–5, time spent.
- If mood ≥ 4 (euphoria/tilt), finish the block regardless of result.
4) Vault skims: keep wins, not just screenshots
Track a running high. On any new balance peak, move 20–30% of the gain to a separate wallet/ledger. Do not redeploy the same day. Vaulting turns a heater into kept money.
5) Timeout vs. self-exclusion (know the difference)
- Timeout / cool-off: temporary lock (e.g., 24h–30d). Use after repeated stop breaches.
- Self-exclusion: long-term block (6–12+ months). Choose if limits/timeouts aren’t enough.
- Notifications: enable email/SMS for withdrawals and limit edits to prevent impulse changes.
6) Quick templates (copy & adjust)
- Casual days: unit 1% · 2× 12–15m blocks · loss limit = −3u · vault 20%.
- Event days: unit 0.7–1% · 3× 12m blocks inside promo windows · wagering cap tighter.
- Review day: no play · export history · tag cost/100, peaks, drawdown, mood.
7) 30-second pre-play checklist
- Deposit/loss/wager/time limits set for today?
- Unit locked (1–2%), timer ready, reality check = 12–18 minutes?
- Vault destination ready; day stops written (+2/−3u)?
- No active bonus conflict (max bet, contribution, time window)?
Bottom line: Limits aren’t handcuffs—they’re lane keepers. Short blocks, flat stakes, vault skims and real interruptions keep sessions fun and finite.