All payments for games should be made through StartPlaying.
If a GM asks for another form of payment,
please contact our support team via the chat below.
When are Players charged?
Players are automatically charged 1 hour after the session start time.
When you sign up for a game, your card is authorized but not charged until the session begins.
Campaigns consist of multiple sessions, and you are charged for each session separately. In contrast, one-shots are single-session games with a one-time charge.
What currency are games priced in?
All prices on StartPlaying are listed in U.S. Dollars (USD). If you are outside the U.S., your bank may apply a currency conversion fee.
Sometimes, charges may appear on your bank statement later than expected, potentially looking like duplicates. This delay occurs because card payments can take 1–3 business days to finalize, and bank holidays may add an extra day.
If you notice multiple charges for a campaign, it is because campaigns consist of multiple sessions, and you are charged for each session separately.
Will I be charged if the GM cancels the session?
No. If your GM cancels a session, you will not be charged.
Will I be charged if I don't show up?
Yes. If you are signed up for a session and do not skip it in advance, you will be charged 1 hour after the session start time regardless of whether you attended.
For sessions missed within 24 hours of the start time, the Game Master has the discretion to decide whether to charge or waive the fee based on the circumstances.
Factors such as the timing of the cancellation and the importance of maintaining a good relationship with the player should be considered. For example, if a player cancels just minutes after the 24-hour cutoff, showing leniency may help preserve the relationship.
To avoid being charged for a session you can't attend, make sure to skip the session at least 24 hours before the start time.
See How Do I Skip a Session or Leave a Game? for steps. To prevent a specific player from being charged for future sessions, you can add them to the game using their email address instead of the standard paid signup process. This method designates the player as free for future sessions.
Will I be charged if I skip or leave a session?
No. If you skip or leave a session more than 24 hours in advance, you will not be charged.
These policies are designed to balance the needs of both players and GMs, ensuring a fair and transparent process for handling missed sessions.
To avoid being charged for a session you can't attend, make sure to skip the session at least 24 hours before the start time. If you choose to allow the payment to go through voluntarily, this must be clearly communicated to you upfront, and your explicit consent is required.
See How Do I Skip a Session or Leave a Game? for steps.
What happens if my payment fails?
If your payment fails, you'll need to update your payment method and resolve the failed charge before you can continue booking games.
See How Do I Fix a Failed Payment? for steps.
What if I was charged incorrectly? What if my per-session price changes?
If you believe you were charged in error, your first step is to contact your GM directly.
They can issue a refund within 14 days of the charge. Your per-session price should remain consistent with what you agreed to when you joined a campaign.
However, if you left the game and re-joined later, the new price set by the GM may apply. Additionally, if you initially signed up at a higher price and the GM temporarily lowered it, they may later raise it back to your original price.
If you don't hear back within 24 hours, contact our support team via the chat below.
See How to Request a Refund for a Game for the full refund process.