The office
Our House Style
Every notebook develops habits. Ours are written down here so that readers know what to expect from an entry, and so that the three keepers stay consistent with each other. If you ever find a page that breaks these rules, we would like to know.
Tone
We write calmly. Online gambling is often sold with countdown clocks, flashing numbers and big claims, and we want this site to feel like the opposite: a quiet place to understand how something works. That means no exclamation marks in headlines, no urgency and no "you won't believe" phrasing.
Words we use, and words we avoid
| We prefer | We avoid |
|---|---|
| "The game pays back over the long run" | "This slot pays out big" |
| "A feature that can enlarge a win" | "A feature that boosts your winnings" |
| "Set a limit before you start" | "Play until your luck turns" |
| "The bookmaker's margin" | "Free money" or "sure thing" |
Older entries in the archive were written before these rules were set, and we revise their wording as we revisit them.
Structure of an entry
- A short opening that says what the entry will explain.
- A plain definition before any detail.
- Examples that use invented numbers, clearly presented as examples.
- A section on common misunderstandings where they exist.
- A closing reminder about age, local law and limits.
Our Slot Basics entries show this pattern most clearly, and the Bankroll Notes section applies it to money habits.
Numbers
We keep numbers honest. A figure appears only if a game, operator or regulator publishes it, or if it is part of a worked example that says so. We do not round up, extrapolate or quote "typical" figures that cannot be traced to a source. Our checking steps are listed in Our Research Process.
People and voices
Entries are signed with pen names. We do not invent experts, testimonials or quotes from players. Where a regional practice is described, such as slot culture in Indonesia or football betting in Vietnam, we describe it in general terms rather than through made-up personal stories.
Responsible play in every entry
Each article ends with, or contains, a reminder that gambling is for adults aged 18 and over, that it should only happen where it is legal, and that limits belong before the first stake. The full version is on Play Within Limits.
Corrections and updates
When we change an entry because something was wrong, we fix it in place and, if the change matters to the reader, say what changed. Suggestions for clearer wording are as welcome as error reports; both go to Send Us a Note.
A word from the keepers
Why the same reminder closes every entry
We could explain multipliers, settlement rules and loss limits all day, and none of it would matter to someone whose play has slipped out of their control. That is why each entry ends by pointing back to age, local law and limits.
If any of this feels close to home, put the phone down for today and talk to someone you trust. Local support services are there for exactly that moment, and reaching out early is the easier path.
Elsbeth Quennell, Dorran Saxby and Saffi Thorneby