How to play with pleasure, not for the sake of excitement

Pleasure and the "adrenaline race" are two different things. The first fills and leaves a sense of control; the second pushes towards impulses and regrets. The task is to turn the game into a hobby with rules, where you know in advance why you play, how much and how. Below is a practical set of habits and tools that change the vector from "catch up" to "enjoy."

1) What is "playing with pleasure"

The process is more important than the result. Success is compliance with the plan, not a requirement to "be in the black."

Predictable frame. Money and time are limited in advance; inside the frame - freedom of choice of game and pace.

Ecology of emotions. There is no "dogon," there are breaks and rituals of completion.

Meaning. Playing is one way to relax/rejoice, not escape from problems.

2) Intention of the session: a short ritual before the start (1 minute)

Reply in writing (in notes):

1. Why am I playing today? (relax/new slot test/socialization/mini challenge in time)

2. What will make a successful session without being tied to a win? (withstand timing, do not break SL/SW, try 2 new mechanics)

3. How do I finish? (at SW - I withdraw 50%, at SL - stop and walk for 10 minutes)

💡 Intent shifts focus from "win urgently" to "stick to your script."

3) Pleasure Framework: Money and Time

Only free money. From the discretionary balance ('D = income − mandatory spending − savings') we allocate 5-10 %/month for games; with debts - 0%.

Period bankroll (BK) = monthly limit; session budget (SB) = 10-20% BK.

Stop loss (SL) = SB; stop wines (SW) = 30-50% SB - reached → yield.

Time mode:

Sprint 25 min + 5 min break;
Standard 45-50 min + 10 min break;
Maximum 2-3 sessions/day. Night marathons and alcohol are not.

4) Choosing a format for pleasure, not for "adrenaline"

Purpose of feeling	Better suited	Notes
Relax and "longer"	Low/medium volatility, RTP 96% +	Soft trajectory, frequent mini-features
Curiosity and novelty	Titles with non-standard mechanics, demo for 10-15 minutes	First demo/minimum, then solution
Communication	Live chat games (no side-beta)	Keep pace: Don't rush the table
Easy Challenge	'Sprints' to high-vol at very low stakes	Pleasure - in a rare event, not in a bet

5) Savour the process: little rituals

Tempo. Turn off the "turbo," reduce the frequency of autospins. Wetting with a sip of water every 10-15 minutes.

Aesthetics. Light, comfortable chair, clean table, playlist.

Micro-goals. "Catch two mini-bonuses," "study the table of payments for a new game," "play 45 minutes without violations."

Luck reflex. Profit is not "fuel," but a reason to partially withdraw (30-50%). Save the moment, do not accelerate.

6) Three "stop sirens" of pleasure

1. The thought of "recouping now." This is not about pleasure - this is about anxiety.

2. Desire to "raise the rate one time." Transition to dogon.

3. Rush and annoyance. The body suggested - pause.

Protocol 90 seconds: get up → 10 slow breaths → a sip of water → open the window. Return by base rate only; repeat pulse - end of session.

7) "If-then" scenarios (keep it visible)

If you "raise the rate once," then I immediately end the session, tomorrow the base rate − 20%.

If "return at any cost," then the time-out is 24-72 hours.

If SL or SW are reached, then I exit immediately (with a plus - I withdraw the part).

If the emo level is ≥3/5, then a pause of 5-10 minutes: breathing, water, warm-up.

8) Social aspect without pressure

Play at your own pace, even if your friends are in a hurry.

Don't compare results: Everyone has a different bank and goals.

Streams - for the idea of a mechanic, not for expectations of winnings.

9) Pleasure Diary (60 seconds after session)

Write down 3 lines:

1. What did you like about the process? (animations/mechanics/music/calm tempo)

2. Where did I keep the rule? (SL/SW/break/no catch)

3. One stroke for tomorrow. (other title/bet − 20 %/Sprint only)

The magazine shifts attention to what gives pleasure and control.

10) 7-day style reset plan

Day 1: write down the session intention (item 2), set SB/SL/SW and time mode.

Day 2: low/mid-vol games only with RTP 96% +, bet = 0.5-1% BK.

Day 3: "Sprint" 25 + 5; record the moment when they wanted to accelerate.

Day 4: New title test in 15 min demo; in real life - at least.

Day 5: off-day or short session; walk/sport instead of an evening game.

Day 6: with profit - test output and small "award" activity outside the game (coffee/book).

Day 7: review: Which mechanics/rituals bring joy? What removes pleasure? Set up a list of "my favorites" and "stop triggers."

Metrics of the week: compliance with SL/SW ≥90%, 0 dogons, emo assessment ≤3/5, there is at least 1 "pleasing moment" per session.

11) Before-after checklists

To

[The] intention is recorded (why am I playing).

BK, SB, SL = SB, SW = 30-50% SB, rate =% of BK.
Timer (Sprint/Standard), Do Not Disturb.
Play with understandable RTP/volatility; no bonus deadlines.

Pro tempore

The pace is calm; breaks of 5-10 minutes according to plan.
Any "siren" - 90 sec protocol; repeat - stop.
SL/SW reached → output; with a plus - partial output.

Later

Pleasure log (3 lines).
A small offline award (not a game).
Tomorrow's Plan Format/Bid/Time.

12) Frequent saboteurs of pleasure - and quick fixes

Night sessions. → Day/evening windows only, no later than your bedtime.

Side-beta/turbo. → Remove: they accelerate losses and emotions.

Bonuses with a deadline. → A game without a bonus is better than a race "in time."

Comparison with other people's results. → We return to our intention and magazine.

13) Card on screen (copy)

💡 Intent: ______
BK: ____ SB: ____ SL = SB SW = 30–50% SB
Rate: __% BK (no catch) Mode: 25 + 5/45-50 + 10
Rules: tempo quiet breaks by timer profit → partial output
Stop sirens: "raise rate," "recoup," emo ≥3/5 → pause/stop

Responsibly and by law

Play only with free money and within the laws of your jurisdiction. Any signs of loss of control (debts, secret deposits, "dogon") - a reason to make a timeout 24-72 hours and seek professional support.

The pleasure of the game is born from the intention, frames and rituals. When you set a goal, pause, record the result and honestly close the day, excitement loses power, and what remains is what is needed: lightness, interest and respect for yourself and your budget.