Stake games and Originals
Stake’s in-house Originals publish their return-to-player and let you verify every result. That is a real advantage. It is also a very clear view of the house edge.
The Originals
Originals are games Stake built itself rather than licensed from a studio. They are simple by design and they are where the platform is most transparent.
| Game | What it is | Published RTP |
|---|---|---|
| Dice | Roll over or under a number you set | 99% |
| Plinko | Ball drops through pegs into multiplier slots | 99% |
| Mines | Reveal tiles, cash out before a mine | 99% |
| Crash | Multiplier climbs, cash out before it crashes | 99% |
| Limbo | Pick a target multiplier, see if the roll clears it | 99% |
| Keno, Wheel, Hilo | Lottery, wheel and card-sequence games | Shown in-game |
| Blackjack, Baccarat, Roulette | Table games as Originals | Shown in-game |
What the published RTP means
A 99% return-to-player means that over a very large number of rounds the game pays back 99 cents per dollar wagered and keeps one. It is better than nearly any slot, where 94–97% is typical, and it is still a loss on average, every round, forever. The transparency is real. So is the arithmetic. The 3.5% rakeback with code PACTBONUS is the only thing that moves that number in your favour.
Provably fair, in plain language
Each Originals result is produced from three inputs: a server seed Stake commits to in advance (you see its hash), a client seed you can set yourself, and a nonce that counts up per bet. After you rotate the server seed, Stake reveals it and you can recompute any past result and confirm it matches.
What this proves: the outcome was not changed after you bet. What it does not prove: anything about third-party slots, which use the studio’s own certified random number generator.
Third-party slots and live tables
The catalogue is one of the largest available, with Pragmatic Play, Hacksaw, Nolimit City and Push Gaming among the slot studios and Evolution supplying the live dealer tables. RTP is set by the studio and shown in each game’s information panel, and some studios offer the same title at several RTP levels, so check the panel rather than the reputation.
Which games to use bonus money on
Bonus funds have a wagering requirement, and games count toward it at different rates. Slots usually count in full; Originals and tables often do not. Play the bonus on games that count 100% and keep the Originals for your own balance. Details on bonus terms explained.
House edge by Original
| Original | House edge | Rakeback per $100 bet at 3.5% | Character |
|---|---|---|---|
| Dice | 1% | $0.035 | You set the odds; the purest edge on the site |
| Limbo | 1% | $0.035 | Pick a multiplier, any multiplier |
| Plinko | 1% | $0.035 | Risk setting changes variance, not the edge |
| Mines | 1% | $0.035 | Cash out any time; more mines, more variance |
| Crash | 1% | $0.035 | Multiplayer, auto cash-out available |
| Keno, Wheel, HiLo, Dragon Tower | 1% as displayed | $0.035 | Check the panel per risk level |
| Blackjack (Original) | About 0.5% with basic strategy | $0.018 | The lowest edge on the site if played correctly |
| Baccarat, Roulette (Originals) | 1.06–2.7% by bet | $0.04–$0.09 | Standard table maths |
Edges are as shown in each game’s information panel at the time of writing and are recalculated when Stake changes a game.
Slot studios and RTP versions
Pragmatic Play, Hacksaw Gaming, Nolimit City, Push Gaming, Play’n GO, Relax Gaming, Thunderkick, NetEnt, Red Tiger and ELK are all present, and the catalogue runs into the thousands. Two things matter more than the count. First, many studios ship each slot in several RTP versions (96.5%, 95%, 94% and lower) and the operator picks one; Stake generally runs the higher versions on the big names, but the only way to know is the information panel inside the game. Second, volatility: a Nolimit title at 96% can lose a balance far faster than a Pragmatic classic at the same RTP. The information panel shows both.
Live casino
Evolution supplies the core live tables (blackjack, roulette, baccarat, game shows such as Crazy Time and Monopoly Live) alongside Pragmatic Play Live and a set of Stake-branded tables. Streams held up on Wi-Fi and 5G in our sessions. Live tables count only 25% toward bonus wagering, so they are the wrong place to run the welcome bonus and the right place for your own balance if you like table games.
Stake Poker
Stake added a poker room with cash games and tournaments in the major variants. We have not tested it at length and do not rate it here; it is mentioned because searches ask. Poker rake is separate from casino house edge and the rakeback definition on this site does not apply to it.
Bet limits and currencies
Minimum bets on Originals start at fractions of a cent, which is why they suit small balances. Slot minimums are set by the studio, typically $0.10–$0.20. Maximums run to thousands per bet on Originals and are capped per game on slots and live tables. Your balance is held in the coin you deposited; Stake shows a fiat display value if you turn it on, but bets settle in the coin, so a Bitcoin balance moves with Bitcoin whether you play or not. Stablecoins avoid that. See crypto deposits.
Common questions
Which Stake game has the best odds?
Most Originals publish 99% RTP, which is higher than any slot in the catalogue. Higher RTP still means a loss on average.
Can I verify slot results the way I can Originals?
No. Provably fair applies to Originals only. Slots rely on the studio’s certified RNG.
Do Originals count toward bonus wagering?
Often partially or not at all. Check the weighting table in the terms.
What is the RTP of Stake Originals?
99% on Dice, Limbo, Plinko, Mines and Crash, as displayed in-game. Original Blackjack is higher with basic strategy.
Does Stake run the high-RTP versions of slots?
Generally on the well-known titles, but studios ship several versions and the information panel inside each game is the only reliable source.
Which games count 100% toward the bonus?
Slots and Originals at the time of writing; live tables 25%; sports at 1.50+ odds 75%. See the terms page.
Sources: Stake.com terms and help centre; our own recorded sessions. Offer details are as published by Stake at the time of writing and can change; the operator’s terms prevail.