Lobbies & Wagering

Game Lobbies

Stacks Wars uses two lobby types to balance competitive play with risk management.

Normal Lobbies (Wager-Based)

In Normal lobbies, players put up real STX as a wager. The winner takes the pot.

How It Works:

1. A host creates a lobby with a specific wager amount (e.g., 10 STX)
2. Players join and deposit their wager into the Game Vault
3. The game is played
4. Winner claims the prize from the vault
5. Losers' stakes are locked until the game concludes

Wager Amounts:

• Minimum: 0.01 STX
• Maximum: No hard limit, but gas costs increase with large amounts
• Available tiers: 0.1, 0.5, 1, 5, 10, 25, 50, 100+ STX

Example:

4 players join a 5 STX Normal lobby
Total pot: 20 STX
Winner receives: 20 STX
Losers lose: 5 STX each

Sponsored Lobbies (Playgrounds)

Sponsored lobbies are risk-free playgrounds perfect for learning, warming up, or casual play.

How It Works:

1. Stacks Wars sponsors the game with a small prize pool
2. Players compete with zero risk
3. Winner receives a small STX reward
4. No wager required; all players can join freely

Prize Pool:

• Varies by game and player count
• Typically 0.1-1 STX for winners
• Losers receive participation rewards sometimes
• Funded by protocol and sponsors

Best For:

• Learning the game rules
• Testing strategies
• Casual weekend play
• Newer players building confidence

The Vault System (Escrow)

Your STX is protected by Game Vaults, smart contract escrow accounts that ensure fair play and honest payouts.

How Vaults Work

1. Player Deposits → Stacks Vault (locked)
                     ↓
2. Game Plays → Smart Contract Validates
                     ↓
3. Winner Determined → Vault Releases to Winner
                     ↓
4. Loser Funds → Distributed or Returned

Vault Security Features

Cryptographic Signature Verification

• All game outcomes are verified by smart contract signatures
• Impossible to claim false victories
• Cheating attempts are automatically rejected

Role-Based Access Control

• Only the winner can withdraw their prize
• Only losers' funds can be distributed
• Vault contract enforces all rules

Fraud Prevention

• All transactions are on-chain and immutable
• Complete audit trail for every game
• Network validators confirm all payouts

Trust Rating System

Every player has a Trust Rating that tracks fair play and reliable participation.

Trust Rating Benefits:

• Gain entry to exclusive high-stakes lobbies
• Build reputation in the community
• Unlock VIP tournaments and events
• Better matchmaking with trustworthy opponents

Factors That Affect Trust Rating:

• Completing games (even losses)
• Quick claim times (not holding funds)
• No transaction failures
• Consistent participation
• Community reports (handled fairly)

How to Maintain High Trust:

1. Always complete the games you join
2. Claim your winnings promptly
3. Play on reputable lobbies
4. Help report actual cheating (not rage quits)

Creating a Lobby

Step-by-Step

1. Click "Create Lobby" on the dashboard
2. Choose lobby type:
   • Normal (set wager amount)
   • Sponsored (no setup needed)
3. Select game:
   • Lexi Wars
   • Ludo
4. Set player count: 2-4 players
5. Configure timeout: How long to wait for other players (30s-5m)
6. Review & confirm:
   • Confirm wager amount (Normal only)
   • Approve vault deposit in your wallet
7. Share invite code or invite players directly
8. Wait for players to join

Lobby Settings

Claiming Your Winnings

After the game concludes and the winner is validated by the smart contract:

1. Navigate to "My Lobbies" → Recent games
2. Find your winning game
3. Click "Claim Winnings"
4. Confirm the transaction in your wallet
5. STX is transferred to your balance instantly
6. Your Trust Rating increases

Note: Unclaimed winnings remain in the vault for up to 30 days before automatic return.

Fees & Costs

What You Pay

Note: Gas costs vary based on network congestion. Higher Stacks fees mean higher transaction costs.

Stacks Wars Revenue Model

• Platform fee: 2% of winning pot (keeping games sustainable)
• Gas subsidies: Stacks Wars covers some gas costs
• Sponsor payouts: Covered by sponsors (you pay 0%)

Responsible Wagering

Play within your means. Stacks Wars implements safeguards:

• Daily loss limit: Set a max you're willing to lose
• Session timer: Get reminded after 2+ hours of play
• Cooling-off period: Take breaks between games
• Support resources: Access gambling harm resources anytime

Remember: Games are for entertainment. Never wager more than you can afford to lose.