    private static SMSettings smSettings = null;

    public synchronized SMSettings getSettings() {
        if ((smSettings == null) || (cacheAge < (System.currentTimeMillis() - (refreshInSeconds * 1000)))) {
            smSettings = splinterlandsClient.getSettings();

            try {
                cacheAge = System.currentTimeMillis();
            } catch (Exception e) {
                throw new RuntimeException(e);
            }
        }