The Clearing · Responsible Play
The Clearing: Responsible Play at Thornhallow
Every branch of the Briar grows from here. Thornhallow is free and played for dew, which has no cash value, but the habits of play are the same whatever is at stake. This is where you set your limits, take a break, check in with yourself, and find people who can help.
Right now
Your tools
Settings here are kept in this browser whatever you chose in the storage notice, because they protect you. They apply to all six games.
Checkpoints
Stop the games at a set interval and see your session: minutes, rounds, dew staked and back. Then choose Stop for now or Carry on.
EveryRound cap
Set how many rounds a session can have. You get a warning five rounds before; at the cap the games rest for a firm thirty minutes.
Rounds per sessionPause
Close the six games on this device. Fifteen minutes can be lifted; an hour or more is firm and can only be made longer. Reading stays open.
Calm mode
No movement, no highlighted results and a two-second gap between rounds. Sessions tend to be shorter and quieter.
A two-minute self-check
Nine statements about play of any kind, with dew, with money or with any other game. Answer honestly for the last three months. Your answers are scored on this page only: nothing is stored or sent.
Signs worth noticing
- Playing longer than you planned, more than once.
- Starting another round to win back the feeling of the last one.
- Feeling flat, tense or irritable when you are not playing.
- Using play to get away from stress, loneliness or a low mood.
- Losing sleep, or letting work, study or people slide.
- Gambling with money elsewhere because of something you felt here.
None of these makes you a bad person, and noticing them early makes change much easier. If they sound familiar, a pause and a conversation with one of the services below is a good next step.
Blocking tools
Free, confidential support in the UK
- GamCareNational Gambling Helpline, free on 0808 8020 133, 24 hours a day, plus live chat. gamcare.org.uk
- Gordon MoodyResidential and online treatment, and support for women and young people. gordonmoody.org.uk
- Gambling TherapyFree online support and forums in many languages. gamblingtherapy.org
- NHSAdvice on gambling problems and referrals to NHS specialist clinics. nhs.uk
- Gamblers AnonymousMeetings across the UK and online. gamblersanonymous.org
- SamaritansIf you are struggling to cope, call free on 116 123, any time. samaritans.org
If you are worried about someone else
GamCare's helpline is open to family and friends too, and Gamblers Anonymous runs GamAnon groups for people affected by someone else's gambling. Talking it through with somebody outside the situation often helps.
Under 18?
Thornhallow is for adults only and closes to anyone who says they are under 18. If gaming or gambling is worrying you, Childline is free and confidential on 0800 1111 (childline.org.uk). Parents and carers can find device settings and advice at Internet Matters.
Our promises
- No purchases of any kind, now or later. Dew stays free and worthless.
- No timers that push you to come back, no daily streaks and no rewards that expire.
- No invented players, results or reviews.
- The Pause key stays in the header of every page, and firm pauses stay firm.
- Every game prints its full rules and pay table, and none changes its odds during play.