Booking Holds
When you select a time slot in SlotBase, the system creates a temporary hold on that slot before you confirm your booking. Holds are the mechanism that prevents double-booking -- they ensure no one else can grab the same slot while you are reviewing and confirming your reservation.
Why Holds Exist
Without holds, two players could select the same time slot simultaneously and both attempt to confirm. Holds solve this by temporarily reserving the slot for one player at a time, giving them a short window to complete their booking.
Think of it like an online shopping cart: when you add a concert ticket to your cart, it is held for you briefly while you check out. The same principle applies here.
How Holds Work
- You browse the calendar and click on an available time slot.
- The system immediately creates a hold on that slot, reserving it for you.
- You see the booking confirmation screen with the session details and price.
- You have a limited time (typically 5 minutes) to review and confirm.
- If you confirm, the hold converts into a confirmed booking.
- If the time expires without confirmation, the hold is released and the slot becomes available again.
The hold duration is configurable by the facility admin. While 5 minutes is the typical default, your facility may use a shorter or longer window.
Hold Statuses
| Status | Description |
|---|---|
| ACTIVE | The hold is currently in effect. The slot is reserved for the player and the countdown timer is running. |
| CONVERTED | The player confirmed the booking. The hold has been successfully converted into a booking. |
| EXPIRED | The hold timed out without confirmation. The slot has been automatically released. |
| RELEASED | The hold was manually released (e.g., the player navigated away or abandoned the booking flow). |
What Happens During a Hold
While a hold is active:
- The time slot appears as unavailable to other players browsing the calendar.
- A countdown timer is displayed on your booking confirmation screen.
- No payment is collected -- payment happens only after you confirm the booking.
- You can abandon the hold at any time by navigating away or closing the page.
If your hold expires, there is no guarantee the slot will still be available when you try again. Another player may book it immediately after your hold is released.
What Happens When a Hold Expires
If you do not confirm within the hold window:
- The hold status changes to EXPIRED.
- The time slot is automatically released back to the available pool.
- Other players can now see and book that slot.
- You are not charged any fee for an expired hold.
- You can start a new booking attempt and create a fresh hold if the slot is still available.
Hold Duration Settings
Facility admins configure the hold duration as part of their booking settings. The setting controls how long a player has to complete their confirmation before the hold expires.
| Setting | Description | Typical Value |
|---|---|---|
| Hold duration | Maximum time (in minutes) a hold remains active | 5 minutes |
For admins: Setting the hold duration too short may frustrate players who need time to review pricing or check their schedule. Setting it too long can block slots unnecessarily during peak hours. A 5-minute window works well for most facilities.
Admin Bookings and Holds
When an admin creates a booking through the admin dashboard, the hold step is skipped entirely. The booking is created directly in CONFIRMED status. This is because the admin is making a deliberate scheduling decision and does not need a temporary reservation window.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I extend a hold? No. Holds have a fixed duration. If your hold expires, you need to select the slot again to create a new hold.
What if I lose internet connection during a hold? The hold continues its countdown on the server regardless of your connection. If you reconnect before it expires, you can still confirm. If not, the hold expires normally.
Do holds count as bookings? No. A hold is a temporary reservation, not a confirmed booking. It does not appear in your booking history and you are not charged for it.
Can two people hold the same slot? No. Only one hold can exist on a given time slot at a time. If another player tries to select a slot that is already held, they will see it as unavailable.