You might have heard of one of the most popular online gambling games right now, the iconic Mines. It is a fresh new take on the age old Minesweeper game, overhauled with a brand new casino style design. But do you know where to play it? More importantly, where is the best place on the internet to try out this gem? Read on to find out more if you want to see what all the hype is about!

Mines Game Explained

Stake Mines is a provably fair, grid based casino game developed by Stake Originals, a proprietary suite of games created, developed, and published by the online gambling platform Stake. The game is heavily inspired by the classic puzzle Minesweeper, the iconic Microsoft Windows game that generations grew up playing. The player is presented with a 5×5 grid of 25 tiles and must click tiles one at a time to reveal either gems as the safe ones or mines as the bombs. Each gem increases the payout multiplier, while clicking a mine ends the round and forfeits the bet. Players can cash out at any time before hitting a mine to secure winnings.

The number of mines, anywhere from 1 to 24, is chosen before play, directly affecting risk, volatility, and potential payouts. The game runs on provably fair cryptography, meaning tile placements can be verified with seeds and nonces to ensure genuine unpredictability. The Return to Player (RTP) of Mines is commonly cited at around 97%, in line with the rest of the original titles on the casino, although some official Stake sources and community references suggest a 99% RTP with a 1% house edge, which places it among the more competitive casino games mathematically.

Of course, this varies based on the parameters and difficulty level you pick, as the discrepancy comes from different mine counts and cash out behavior. Taking into account the house edge of roughly 1%, the expected loss rate is about 1% of total wagers. In other words, for every $100, the game pays back $99 over longterm. Because the number of mines affects volatility, the maximum payout multiplier can grow extremely high and reach thousands of times your stake on rare streaks of safe tiles, especially with high mine counts. Some unofficial sources note multipliers of 5,000× or more on extreme difficulty settings.

How to Play Mines

As with most other Originals, it is very easy to get going with Mines.

First, choose your bet amount by entering a wager within the game’s supported range. You can pick from low minimums up to high maximums, depending on your account.

Next, select the number of mines between 1 and 24. More mines mean higher risk and higher potential multipliers, whereas fewer mines mean lower risk and slower multiplier growth.

Finally, hit the Bet button and start revealing tiles. Each safe tile increases your potential payout. Cash out anytime if you want to secure your payout before hitting a mine. You can end the round and collect your current winnings. If you reveal a mine, your bet is lost.

Again, as with most other Stake Originals, there are both autoplay and instant reveal options that let you specify conditions like cashing out at a preset multiplier. This automates parts of the gameplay and allows for a hands free approach, in case you have some important matters to attend to but do not wish to stop your session.

Gameplay Features and Strategy

When it comes to the grid and the mine mechanics, the provably fair RNG places mines randomly each round, but players choose the number, affecting odds. Fewer mines mean a higher probability of safe clicks. More mines yield greater multiplier increases per safe tile. A core skill element is deciding when to cash out, since it gives the player full control of their fate, provided they did not step on a mine in the first couple of tiles. Safe tiles raise the potential payout, but each new click increases risk. There is no guarantee the next square will not be a mine.

In terms of strategy, it all comes down to the right type of risk management. Conservative strategies use 1 to 5 mines and cash out early for frequent small wins. This will allow for smaller but more frequent wins, and the player employing this will usually walk out with some prize money.

Balanced play uses a moderate number of mines, usually between 5 and 10, for a mix of risk and reward. Naturally, this is where most players exist, and it is the most common way of playing. You may also want to increase it and go from 6 to 12 to win even more without a lot more risk.

Finally, there is the aggressive approach, strategies that use many mines, anywhere from 12 to a maximum of 24, to chase very large multipliers, but with a considerable loss frequency.

All strategies carry the same house edge, and none can guarantee profits in the long run. Good bankroll management of setting loss limits and profit goals, as well as how much time you spend playing, is essential to avoid rapid losses, especially given the fast pace of rounds.

Arguably, the most exciting way to play Mines, and games of similar risk and reward balance, is to go through all three strategies depending on how much you have already won or lost. Start with the conservative approach until you build up some winnings. Then, test your luck out with some balanced play. If you win a few times and have a bit more to spare, try a few aggressive rounds.

If, at any point, it proves too much for you, go down immediately and do not chase losses. Never play with the money you cannot afford to lose. A smart player never puts their sustenance and well being on the line when gambling. Ultimately, it is about having fun, and having a healthy, productive relationship with this hobby is the biggest win.

An Overview of Stake Originals

Stake Originals is the name given to a suite of exclusive, in house casino games developed by the online gambling platform itself. These games are created by Stake’s own development and design team and then self published rather than being licensed from external software providers like other third party games. This makes them completely exclusive as they are only playable on the Stake platform. You cannot and will not find these titles on rival casinos, as their exclusivity will always remain Stake’s.

The Originals collection includes dozens of distinct games spanning multiple genres, from instant win mechanics and popular crash games to themed slots and table style bets. A defining feature of these titles is that they are built on provably fair technology, meaning outcomes can be cryptographically verified for randomness and fairness by players themselves. Moreover, they are simple, easy to play, and have various parameters and settings that allow users to tailor the experience to their specific needs and expectations.

The Importance of Originals

Stake Originals play a strategic role for the crypto first platform as a differentiator in the ever growing yet very crowded iGaming market. Unlike most casinos that rely entirely on third party games from established providers like Pragmatic Play, Hacksaw Gaming, and other top tier publishers, Stake builds its own exclusive content to attract and retain players seeking something unique. Make no mistake, it also hosts all the popular slots and other games by these industry leaders, but it never relies on them for traffic or game selection.

The exclusivity Stake has with its own library of titles encourages users to engage with the platform directly rather than hopping between rival sites for similar offerings. Because these games are integrated deeply into the Stake ecosystem, often tied into leaderboards, VIP challenges, and daily races, they also help increase player loyalty and activity on the casino. It is a whole different ballgame when a returning customer does so for your own title, as opposed to a game they can play anywhere else.

Game Types and Genres

The lineup of Stake Originals Games covers a broad range of styles. Popular instant win or cash out games include Crash, Plinko, Limbo, and Dice, which feature multipliers and quick decisions. There are also chance based titles like Mines, Keno, and Wheel, alongside simple card style games like Hilo. In addition, Stake offers themed slots Blue Samurai and Tome of Life, and classic casino formats like Blackjack, Roulette, and Baccarat, reinvented in Stake’s own UI that makes them familiar yet different. Many games allow players to tweak risk settings or engage strategic choices, giving both casual and more experienced users tailored experiences. The best thing about them is that they feel connected and as part of the same vision.

Success and Impact to Date

While precise revenue numbers for the Originals lineup itself are not publicly disclosed, these games are widely referenced in industry reviews and community metrics as some of the most played titles on the site. They often easily outpace licensed third party games in active user counts. For example, classics like Mines, Dice, Plinko, and Limbo regularly show high simultaneous player numbers, an indicator of their continued popularity and dominance.

Their appeal is bolstered by provably fair tech and fast gameplay, which fits Stake’s crypto focused positioning and helps differentiate it in a competitive global market. Stake as a whole reported strong growth and a large player base every year since its launch in 2017. As other areas of their business grow, mainly their partnerships and sponsorships, there is a new Stake Original title out every few months, keeping the players engaged and offering new ways to have fun.

Stake FAQs

What exactly is Stake?

Stake is a cryptocurrency focused online casino and sportsbook platform where users can play casino games (slots, table games, live dealers) and bet on sports events from around the world. It was launched in 2017 and operates under a Curaçao gambling licence.

How do I deposit and withdraw money on Stake?

Stake primarily focuses on cryptocurrencies, therefore allowing players to deposit, wager, and withdraw using assets like Bitcoin, Ethereum, and others. In some regions, fiat currency options may also be available.

What are Stake Originals?

Stake Originals are proprietary game titles developed in house by Stake. These often include unique and popular titles like Crash, Plinko, Mines, and others. They typically feature “provably fair” mechanics, meaning players can independently verify the fairness of game outcomes.

Does Stake offer live betting and streaming?

Yes. Stake’s sportsbook side of the platform includes live betting markets on many events. It also integrates live video streams of most events, so users can watch events directly on the platform while betting, which enhances the live wagering experience.

What is the connection between Stake and the streaming platform KICK?

Stake’s founders also backed KICK, a live streaming service created in 2022. It was launched as a competitor to Twitch with lower revenue fees for streamers and looser moderation, especially for content like gambling streams that Twitch later restricted.

Does Stake own KICK?

Stake and KICK share the same founders, Bijan Tehrani and Ed Craven, but technically, Stake does not own Kick. The two platforms operate under different companies, though they are closely linked and often collaborate.

What major sponsorships does Stake have?

Stake has pursued high profile sponsorships and partnerships, including deals with Everton FC in the Premier League, Stake Formula 1 Team Kick Sauber), UFC and MMA fighters like Israel Adesanya, Alex Pereira, and others, music and entertainment personalities like Drake and Davido, and various other sports and esports teams/events.

Why does Stake sometimes display KICK branding instead of its own?

In countries where gambling advertising is restricted, Stake often replaces its name and logo with KICK, most notably during the 2025 Formula 1 season, where the two brands were alternated on cars to comply with local laws while still maintaining brand visibility.

What are some unique features that set Stake apart from competitors?

Stake’s distinctive elements include some of the fan favorite, industry leading features that put it ahead of the competition. It is a crypto centric platform with fast, relatively anonymous transactions. It has a large sportsbook with live markets covering many sports. The platform makes its own original game titles through Stake Originals and maintains close ties with its sister company's streaming ecosystem, which boosts entertainment and content creation.