There are often a few clear signs that you might need to take a break from your online casino games app, even when you are winning. But how do you know when you need a breather? One of the fundamentals of playing casino games responsibly is knowing when to quit. Better yet, the most seasoned and experienced online players will recognize exactly when they need to walk away from the game for a while. For some players, removing themselves from the game is like flicking a switch but for others, it can be a bit more difficult.
Discover the signs that you need a rest from playing your favorite games, along with some tips and tools that you can use to break up your time spent gaming.
How Often Should You Be Taking Breaks?
How often you should take a breather from your go-to casino table games or online casino slots depends on many factors. For example, you’ll need to take fewer breaks if you’re someone who only plays for a few hours on the weekend or every once in a while compared to someone who enjoys playing casino games online or playing blackjack at a casino for longer periods every single day.
Ultimately, if playing for a stretch longer than an hour, it’s ideal to take a short 15-minute break for every 45 to 60 minutes of playing games online.
Along with taking breathers between gaming sessions, it can also be helpful to take longer chunks of time away from gambling to “reset” from time to time. This could mean completely avoiding casino games for a week, two weeks, or a month before resuming your favorites. You might find that you return “luckier” and more mentally resilient than ever before!
Signs You Might Need a Break
First off, you will need to know how to spot the signs that you need to take a break. There are a few clear and easy-to-spot signs that will let you know you have been playing for too long. Even when you are on a winning streak, it can often be a good idea to finish on a high note and quit while you’re ahead.
Reckless Betting
When playing online slot machines, there are many games that offer chain rewards and allow players to get streak wins that could earn them a big win in a few lines. These lines can pay out in a big way, but you have to play them smart when you get them. Playing for a long period of time takes a toll on your decision-making. It can become difficult for you to make smart decisions, which could mean you’ll lose out on those bonus rewards.
If you made some poor decisions in your last few games and maybe played some lines that didn’t make any sense, you might want to take a short break or even call it a night. It’s best to come back to the game when you’re refreshed and thinking straight. That way, you can maximize your wins and keep a positive attitude.
Playing To Cover Losses
A common reaction to a bad run is to “chase losses.” This is when you wager more cash to win back what you lost more quickly. Chasing losses is never a good strategy and is bound to lose you more money in the long run. So, what do you do when you are facing a run of losses? Take a break – it really is that easy.
If you keep gambling in the hopes of winning back the money that you had recently lost, you are most likely only going to compound your losses. Take a breather and come back once you’ve cleared your mind.
General Tiredness and Sleep Deprivation
This one might sound a bit intense for some players, but many people play blackjack at a casino or online slot machines late into the night, after work. This is fine if you’re doing it every now and then, but if you’re doing this regularly, you’re going to start feeling the effects at the office the next day. You’ll also feel it while you’re gambling, and the more tired you get, the worse your decision-making ability becomes and, ultimately, the worse your gambling becomes.
If you’re exhausted in the mornings or even while you’re playing, leave the game and try to get some sleep. You’re not doing yourself any favors by playing while you are tired, and when you return to the game after a good rest, you’ll be sharper than ever and ready to pick up some wins.
Some Tools You Can Use
There are tools that you can use to monitor or limit the amount of time you spend playing casino games. These tools can also be used to manage the amount of money that you’re spending while gambling by placing limits on what you can spend in a certain time. For some people, taking a break is easier said than done, and these tools will help you take regular breathers.
Time-Out
The time-out feature can be used to remove you from the tables and machines for a certain amount of time so that you can take a break. You will be able to choose the duration of your time-out. It’s required that online gambling companies offer this facility for either 24 hours, one week, one month, or any period that a customer might reasonably request, up to a maximum of six weeks.
Alarms Are Easy
Set an alarm that alerts you when it’s time to stand up and take a break from the game. Once the alarm goes off, get up from the computer or put down your mobile phone and stretch or take a walk, or even fold some washing or pack away some dishes. Sitting for too long, even in a comfortable chair, can hurt your body and negatively influence the decisions you make while you gamble.
Irresponsible gambling is not good for casinos. There are a ton of resources available to you directly from your favorite online casino. They can offer you information on how to manage your spending and your time spent playing, how to bet and play safely with the community on their website, and anything else you might need help with.
Remember to call the national problem gambling helpline at 1-800-522-4700 for assistance with problem gambling if you’re ever worried about your, or a loved one’s, gambling habits spiralling out of control.
Prioritizing Mental Health When Gambling
Along with taking regular breaks when playing casino games, there are many other ways to stay in top mental shape when gambling. Here are a few tips from the poker professionals:
- Change how you see your losses: A loss is always going to hurt, but it’s important not to let it harm your self-esteem. Instead, use every loss as an opportunity to learn and improve your skills (if playing a skill-based casino game, such as poker.)
- Take proper care of yourself: You can’t think straight and make good judgments if you’re lacking sleep, not well-nourished, not getting enough exercise or are dehydrated. Take good care of your physical and mental well-being and you’ll almost certainly see the results in the way you approach your favorite games.
- Stay positive: It’s easy to get down on yourself when a gaming session doesn’t go your way or when you find yourself on an especially unforgiving “unlucky” streak that lasts for days or weeks. Do your best to stay positive and steer clear of negative self-talk.
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Be sure to explore our blog further for more insightful casino-related content, such as the latest advancements in technology for online casinos or the win-win relationship between casinos and the hospitality industry.
