Game sessions: When to start and how long to play

1) When to start at all: "ready" checklist

Start the session only if all items are completed:

• The slot is selected and tested in the demo: HF/BF/ABP are known, the volatility profile where RTP (base/bonus) "sits."
• RTP of your version is confirmed in "i" by the operator (target - 96% + if there is a choice).
• The rate and the bank are set in advance: the share of the rate from the bank corresponds to volatility.
• Limits recorded: stop-loss (SL), stop-win (SW), time limit (Timer).
• The context is pure: no rush/stress/fatigue/alcohol; there is a free hour without business and distractions.
• Tools included: Reality Check/Session & Loss limits/Withdrawal lock.
• Bonus rules read: No ban on Bonus Buy/Max bet if using promo.

2) How much to play: session goal → duration

Short (150-400 spins, 20-50 min)

Goal: to close the session in plus more often ("shot of luck"), a test of a new game.
Suitable: any volatility (for high - the rate is lower).
Plus: less contact with house edge. Minus: the bonus may not come.

Medium (600-1200 spins, 45-90 min)

Purpose: frequent features/action, collecting mini-statistics, a little wagering.
Fit: Average volatility, mechanics with frequent events.

Long (1500-3000 + spins, 90-150 min blocks)

Goal: wagering a vager, hunting for rare features, deep test.
Fit: low/medium volatility; for high - only with a very low rate and hard feet.
Minus: the probability of closing is plus lower - the result pulls to RTP.

3) "Price of an hour": count before the start

$$
\ text {Expected flow/hour }\approachext {Rate }imesext {Spin/hour }imes (1 - RTP)
$$

Pace landmarks: manual 300-450 sp/h, auto 500-700 sp/h.
By halving the pace, you halve the expected flow per hour at the same RTP.

4) Rate and pot for duration (thumb rules)

Low volatility: the bank ≥ 200-300 rates, the rate is 1-2% of the bank.
Medium: bank ≥ 300-500, rate 0.8-1.5%.
High/Bonus Buy: bank ≥ 500-1000, rate 0.3-1.0% (for purchases: 0.5-1% of the bank for the purchase).
The goal is to "live" to bonuses without critical drawdowns.

5) Threshold limits for duration

Short session: SL − 20-30%, SW + 30-60%, timer 20-50 min.
Medium: SL − 25-35%, SW + 40-70%, timer 45-90 min.
Long: SL − 30-40%, SW + 60-100%, timer 90-150 min (in blocks of 45-60 with a pause of 10-15 min).
Trailing-stop on profit: fix 50-70% of the peak plus of the session.

6) When to start exactly "now" and when not

Start if:

• there is a window of time for the selected duration;
• fresh head, no rush;
• the slot has suitable conditions (e.g. missions/multiplier tournament, Must Drop is close to deadline - this is an external EV).

Do not start if:

• you are tired/angry/want to "beat off" the last session;
• there is only enough time for a "pair of spins" without limits;
• promo requires conditions that you are not ready to comply with (max bet, prohibited games).

7) Adjustment for mechanics

Megaways/Cascading

Choose short/medium sessions; the rate is closer to 0.3-1%; SW higher (60-100%).
After a long bonus - Profit Lock and pause: repetition is rare.

Hold & Win (frequent mini rounds)

Suitable for medium sessions; rate 1-1.5%; SW 40–60%.
If there are no upgrades/jackpots, do not stretch beyond the timer.

Bonus Buy

Play in series (5-10 purchases), not "single."
Set the batch budget and SL/SW for the batch separately from the general session.

8) Tempo control

Temp = flow rate/hour. Cut auto-backs/turbo if the total "by wallet" per hour is higher than comfortable.
Pauses: every 30-45 min - 5-10 min break (removal of "tunnel vision").
Slot change: if the BF in the current window is 50% higher than your average or 3 "weak" bonuses in a row - pause/change.

9) Out-of-the-box session templates

A) "Plus-shot" (short)

Bank rate 0.5-1%; 200-400 spins; SL −25%, SW +40–60%; timer 30-45 min.
Any peak ≥ SW → Profit Lock 60-80% and exit/short pause.

B) "Action" (medium)

Rate 0.8-1.2%; 600-1000 spins; SL −30%, SW +50–70%; timer 60-90 min.
Ante - only after BF A/B measurement and RTP check.

C) "Play/Test" (long)

Rate 0.3-0.8%; 1500-2500 + spins in blocks; SL −35–40%, SW +60–100%; timer 2 × 60 min with break.
Log HF, BF, ABP, P (≥50×), max drawdown.

D) "Bonus Buy-series"

Unit Risk 0.5-1% bank/purchase (high ox). Series of 5-10 purchases.
SL batches − 20-35%, SW batches + 60-100%; after the peak - Trailing 60%, resets prices.

10) Signals "finish now"

SW/Trailing SW/SL reached or time ran out.
Emotional scale ≥ 6/10 (anger/haste/drowsiness).
Violated the rule (raised the rate "in pursuit") - immediate stop and pause 24 hours.

11) Frequent errors

Play without timer and recorded SL/SW.
Overrate for a long session.
Include Ante "out of habit" (increase in consumption without confirmed EV growth).
"Another five minutes" after reaching SW - return the profit back.
Cut lines instead of rate cut/line.

12) Mini session log (copy)

Slot/Provider/RTP: .../.../...%	Volatility: L/M/H
Bet:... (...% bank)	Plan: Short/Medium/Long
Limits: SL...%	SW...%
Bottom line: ±... (in bets)	Peak: +...

Conclusion

Session duration is a manageable risk parameter. Short sessions increase the chance of closing in a plus; long ones are needed for wagering/testing and require a lower rate and tight limits. Before starting, confirm RTP, set the rate and SL/SW/time thresholds, estimate the "price of the hour," control the pace and fix the profit. Play according to plan - not according to impulse: then the sessions will become shorter, cheaper and more predictable.