"pinch test": if it crumbles it is fried, if it balls up or springs back instantaneously it's too wet, and if it slowly springs back, you're good. and this varies from tobacco to tobacco, and by personal preference. this is the basic test.
it's really like RH on cigars, and dry boxing: how do you know what is right? experience, or trusted recommendations. i can fairly well tell if a stick needs to nap in my humi for a while, sit out for a minute before smoking, or is ready to burn, mostly from touch and sight, sometimes smell. this goes moreso for sticks i know from experience. how? burned a LOT of cigars! o)
what has been working for me is spending several days with a blend, getting to know its flavors and textures over the course of a couple bowls. try one ROTT, leave one out for an hour, maybe the next overnight. see how that affects each, how your reaction changes.
