2 files changed, 38 insertions, 0 deletions

diff --git a/docs/GAMES.md b/docs/GAMES.md
index 844d1b0..2b8adf5 100644
--- a/docs/GAMES.md
+++ b/docs/GAMES.md
@@ -137,6 +137,34 @@ plays (
 The balance update and the `plays` insert happen in one transaction
 (`database::apply_play`).
 
+### Reserved bets and restarts
+
+Blackjack and crash reserve the bet before the round can settle. The debit and
+a `pending_plays` row are written in one transaction
+(`database::reserve_play`); settling deletes that row and writes the `plays`
+audit row in the same transaction.
+
+```
+pending_plays (
+    session_id TEXT PRIMARY KEY,
+    username TEXT NOT NULL,
+    game_type TEXT NOT NULL,
+    bet_amount INTEGER NOT NULL,
+    details TEXT NOT NULL DEFAULT '{}',
+    created_at DATETIME DEFAULT CURRENT_TIMESTAMP
+)
+```
+
+If the server dies with a round in flight, the reservation survives the process.
+The next startup calls `recover_orphaned_reservations` before the listener
+accepts connections, and each leftover is settled as a **forfeit**: the bet is
+not refunded, and the audit row gets `winnings = 0`,
+`details.result = "abandoned"`, `details.reason = "server_restart"`.
+
+The sweep runs once per process, never per connection. A per-connection sweep
+would settle another player's live hand, and only one server process may own a
+database.
+
 ## Wire protocol
 
 Slots keeps its original exchange:
diff --git a/docs/TESTING.md b/docs/TESTING.md
index 3c7fa61..60bc4ac 100644
--- a/docs/TESTING.md
+++ b/docs/TESTING.md
@@ -111,6 +111,16 @@ Use an 80-column terminal because several output lines are width-sensitive.
 7. Confirm the crash point is absent from the `CRASH_START` line (it must only
    appear once the round is over).
 
+## Manual restart check
+
+1. Start a blackjack hand (or a crash round) and confirm `pending_plays` has one
+   row while the round is live.
+2. `kill -9` the server, then start it again on the same database. The log must
+   say `Settled 1 orphaned reservation(s) as abandoned after a restart`.
+3. Confirm the balance did not change, `pending_plays` is empty, and `plays` has
+   one row with `winnings = 0`, `details.result = "abandoned"` and
+   `details.reason = "server_restart"`.
+
 ## Manual server checks
 
 - Register, log out, log in again (bcrypt path).