Operator review · Verified June 2026 · page updated October 6, 2026
Stake Mines: Rules, Multipliers & How to Play
Stake Mines is the original 5×5 Mines game — a 1% house edge (99% RTP), 1 to 24 selectable mines, a free demo mode and the cleanest provably-fair tools we reviewed. It is our number-one Mines casino for 2026, and its multipliers follow the same 0.99 ÷ probability rule as every honest Mines board.
What is Stake Mines?
Stake Mines is the crypto-casino version of Minesweeper that basically every other site copies. A 5×5 grid hides a number of mines you choose yourself — anywhere from 1 to 24. Each safe tile you flip reveals a gem and lifts your multiplier; hit a mine and the round ends with your stake lost. You can cash out after any safe pick. Because you set the mine count, you set your own volatility, from a slow one-mine grind to a single-shot 24-mine lottery.
Stake launched in 2017 and its Mines build is the benchmark: a fast board, a bet panel that shows the exact multiplier for each pick before you click, and provably-fair verification baked in. Stake states crypto withdrawals are processed automatically, and 2026 guides (TheSpike, SportsGambler) report routine arrivals under 30 minutes; we have not timed one ourselves.
What are the rules of Stake Mines?
You pick between 1 and 24 mines on a 25-tile grid, flip tiles to reveal gems, and may cash out after any safe pick for stake times the current multiplier; a mine ends the round and takes the stake. The edge is 1% whatever you choose, bets start at the $0.01 equivalent, and autobet can repeat a setting automatically.
- Board: 25 tiles (5×5), with 1–24 mines you select before the round.
- Objective: flip safe tiles to reveal gems; each gem raises the live multiplier.
- Cash out: any time after at least one safe pick — the button locks in stake × current multiplier.
- Bust: flip a mine and the round ends immediately; the stake is lost.
- Edge: 1% (99% RTP) at every mine count — no setting changes it.
- Min bet: $0.01 equivalent, with autobet available.
How do Stake Mines multipliers work?
Stake pays 99% of the fair inverse of your win probability. With M mines, the chance of revealing k gems is C(25−M, k) ÷ C(25, k), and the payout is:
That 0.99 is the whole house edge. Here are the most-played settings, computed straight from that formula — the same numbers Stake's bet panel shows:
| Mines | Safe picks | Win chance | Stake multiplier |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | 1 | 96.00% | 1.03× |
| 3 | 1 | 88.00% | 1.13× |
| 3 | 5 | 49.57% | 2.00× |
| 5 | 3 | 49.57% | 2.00× |
| 5 | 5 | 29.18% | 3.39× |
| 10 | 3 | 19.78% | 5.00× |
| 24 | 1 | 4.00% | 24.75× |
For the full grid of every mine count and pick, see our Mines payout chart, the derivation on the multiplier formula page, or run any setting live in the calculator.
Is Stake Mines provably fair?
Yes, and you can prove it yourself. Before each round Stake shows you a hashed server seed — a commitment it cannot change. The mine layout is derived from that server seed, your client seed and an incrementing nonce. Because the hash is published first, Stake cannot know where you will click and cannot move a mine after you commit. When you rotate your seed, Stake reveals the previous plain server seed, and you can re-hash it (it must match) and recompute every board you played.
How do you play Stake Mines?
Fund the account, open Mines under Stake Originals (demo mode first costs nothing), set a small stake and a mine count such as three, flip tiles while the multiplier climbs, and cash out at the exit you decided before the round. Rotating your seed now and then lets you recompute past boards and confirm the deal was honest.
- Fund your account. Crypto deposits credit in minutes; Stake also supports several fiat rails by region.
- Open Mines. Find it under Stake Originals; try demo mode first to learn the feel for free.
- Set your bet and mine count. Start at $0.10 or less. Three mines is a sensible first setting.
- Flip tiles. Each safe pick reveals a gem and raises the multiplier shown above the board.
- Cash out on plan. Decide your exit multiplier before the round; greed is the house's best friend.
- Verify. Rotate your seed occasionally and recompute a past round to confirm the deal.
How does Stake Mines compare with the other sites?
Because the math is identical across the 99% sites, what separates Stake is execution: a demo mode, automated withdrawals per its help pages, and a deep VIP rakeback ladder. Its closest rival is BC.Game, whose bigger welcome package we break down in Stake Mines vs BC.Game Mines. The one build that does not share this payout curve is Roobet's, documented at 96% RTP — our Roobet Mines review works through the difference. If you specifically want the Rainbet version, see our Mines Rainbet review; for the game in general, our Mines casino game guide covers where to play, and our Mines gambling guide covers the risk side honestly.
Stake Mines: frequently asked questions
What is the house edge on Stake Mines?
Stake Mines runs a 1% house edge, or 99% RTP. Every payout equals 0.99 divided by your true win probability, so over the long run you keep 99 cents of every dollar wagered — identical to the Mines math at the other provably-fair sites we rank.
Is Stake Mines provably fair?
Yes. Before a round Stake commits to a hashed server seed; combined with your client seed and a nonce it fixes the mine layout in advance. After you rotate the seed you can unhash it and recompute every past board, confirming no mine moved mid-game. Our is Mines rigged guide walks the verification step by step.
Can I play Stake Mines for free?
Yes. Stake offers a demo mode that plays on the identical payout table with fun credits, so you can learn the board before wagering real money. You can also practise on the free grid inside our Mines calculator.
What is the best number of mines on Stake?
There is no “best” count for expected value — the 1% edge is fixed at every setting. Three mines is the popular middle ground: five safe picks pay 2.00× at 49.57% odds. Fewer mines means frequent small wins; more mines means rare big ones. See best Mines settings.
What is the maximum win on Stake Mines?
The theoretical ceiling is a 12-mine full clear at about 5,148,297×, but Stake caps maximum payouts, so treat that number as a curiosity. Realistic big wins come from full clears at 3–5 mines (2,277× and 52,598× respectively).