Do not chase after the game: how to avoid the traps of excitement

What is "wagering" and why it is dangerous

Chasing losses - an impulsive increase in time/rate/risk after a loss in order to "get your back."

• $$
• \ text {Waiting for minus for N spins }\approach\text {bid }\times N\times (1-RTP)
• $$

The longer you "chase," the faster the expected minus and variance grow.

Worrying signs you're already 'chasing'

Increased bid after a series of empty spins/bonuses.

Changed slot/turned on Ante/bought a bonus "to fight back."

Play longer than planned; ignore timer/fatigue.

Thoughts: "the slot should give," "a little more - and I will return."

Use money not intended for play; you take a debt.

Myths that push to play (and short counterarguments)

"The slot should give up after a series of empty ones." The backs are independent; "debt" no.

"I will raise the bet - the chance of a bonus is higher." Almost always not (exception - special jackpot/Ante rules).

"In the demo he gave - in real life he will also give." The math is the same, you've changed risk and expectations.

"I have already invested so much - we must return." The money spent is drowned, it cannot be "saved" by increasing risk.

Basic anti-chasing plan (put BEFORE session)

1. Session bank (fixed amount, separate wallet).

• low/medium volatility: 0.8-1.5%;
• high/Bonus Buy: 0.3-1%.

• Stop-loss (SL): − 20-35% of the bank session;
• Stop-win (SW): +40–80%;
• Time: 30-90 minutes.
• 4. Unconditional exit rules: "Reached the SL/SW/timer - I exit without exception."

• Reality Check (time reminders);
• Session/Loss/Deposit limits;
• Time-out (24-72 hours) and Self-exclusion (longer);
• Withdrawal lock.
• 6. Input friction: turn on 2FA, turn off autologine/fluff, remove saved cards; if possible - soft-blockers of gambling sites.

What to do WHILE playing: 'anti-chase' protocol

The rate is fixed per session. Ban on "dogon," doubling and "warming up" Ante without A/B measurement.

• 3 "weak" bonuses in a row (conditionally <× 20) → pause/slot change/exit.
• For Bonus Buy: a series of packages of 5-10 purchases; reached the series limit - stop.
• Rule of 10 minutes: felt angry/rushed - timer 10 minutes without spins. If the thrust does not pass, end the session.
• Traction scale 0-10: if ≥6, slow down/pause; if ≥8, exit.
• A short self-test before each click: "Has the bid changed because of a plan or because of emotion?" If the second is stop.

After winning: how not to give everything back

Profit Lock: immediately withdraw/postpone 50-80% of the current profit (actually by transfer/withdrawal request).

Trailing-stop on profit: keep the "moving" stop-wine = 50-70% of the peak profit of the session.

"Next day" rule: Any amounts above SW's goal of not reinvesting on the same day.

Cognitive defense: short "anti-thoughts"

Sunken costs: "What has already spent does not affect the chance of the next spin."

Player error: "A series of blank does not make the next spin more likely."

Illusion of control: "Speed ​ ​/stop button/browser change does not change RNG."

Rationalization of the prize: "A big win is a reason to fix, not "accelerate."

• * I feel annoyed/rushed → * I'll leave the timer for 10 minutes and close the game.
• * I leave SL/SW → * slowly, without "a couple more spins."

Tools and settings that really help

Loss/Deposit/Session limits - put below the intuitive "comfortable" level.

Time-out/Self-exclusion - select the "cooling" duration in advance.

Withdrawal lock - prohibit cancellation of withdrawal requests.

MCC card/bank blocks for payments to gambling services (if available from the bank).

Site/application blockers on the device (during "cooling").

Express calculations so as not to boil

• $$
• \ text {Bid }\times\text {spin/hour }\times (1-RTP)
• $$

By reducing the pace from 600 to 300 spins/hour at the same rate and RTP, you halve the expected consumption per hour.

• low: ≥200 -300 bets; average: ≥300 -500; high: ≥500 -1000.
• This is about "live," not about "beat off."

One-page anti-chasing plan (copy)

Session Bank: ... | Rate:... (...% bank)

SL: … (−...%) | SW target:... (+...%) | Time:... mines

Rules: fixed rate; no Ante/boosts; 3 weak bonuses → pause/exit; the 10-minute rule.

Profit Lock: ...% at first plus ≥... | Trailing SW:...% of peak

Tools included: Reality Check/Session/Loss/Deposit/Withdrawal lock/Time-out

1. If anger/haste ≥6/10 → pause 10 minutes.

2. If SL/SW/timer is an immediate exit.

3. If you pull "return" - close the site, write to a friend, time-out 24 hours.

What to do in case of a breakdown (emergency exit plan)

1. Stop immediately. Close game/browser.

2. Access freeze: time-out 24-72 h or self-exclusion.

3. Cancel triggers: delete the application, disable saved payments, enable blocker.

4. Contact the anchor person (friend/partner), send a screen of balance/conclusions.

5. Double-check finances (no debt/minus; if necessary - limit deposits with the bank).

6. If excitement interferes with life, contact a gaming addiction specialist/support in your country.

Frequent mistakes

"A couple more spins after SW - suddenly gives more."

Rate increase after a series of cons (dogon).

Ignoring timer/reality checks.

Cancel withdrawal requests.

Playing "on emotions" without pre-recorded rules.

Conclusion

Wagering is not a strategy, but an emotional pattern that accelerates the meeting with mathematical expectation. The antidote is pregame limits, a fixed rate, hard exit triggers, Profit Lock and input/output friction, supported by short cognitive "anti-thoughts." Write down your plan on one page, turn on the control tools and stick to the protocol - this way you keep your bank and head, even when the variance plays against.