VS Game Modes Explained: The Pit, The Arena & Party Duel
VS Compete isn’t one game — it’s several ways to compete. Here’s how each mode works, what it costs, what you can win, and which one fits how you want to play.
Free play & Friendly Duels — no stakes
Before any tokens are involved, you can play any game free to practice, and challenge people to a Friendly Duel — no tokens, no rank, just bragging rights. It’s the best way to warm up and learn a game’s rhythm before you compete for real.
The Pit — 1v1, winner takes the pot ⚔️
The Pit is a one-on-one head-to-head. You stake 67🪙, play one blind run of the game, and the better time takes the 123🪙 pot. It’s asynchronous: you can post a challenge (your run is recorded for someone to take) or take an open challenge (beat a run someone recorded earlier).
- Stake 67🪙 · Pot 123🪙 — better time wins.
- One blind run, no previews, no do-overs.
- Post a challenge or take one that’s open.
- Async — you and your opponent never have to be online at once.
Why “blind”? You don’t see your opponent’s time before you play, and there are no re-tries — both players face the exact same game on equal footing. Warm up in free play first, and read the game guide for whatever you’re about to run.
The Arena — 8-player tournament 🏟️
The Arena seats 8 players on a single game for a much bigger prize. A seat costs 99🪙 and you play your one blind run right away; the arena then fills on the board until all 8 runs land. The game is dealt at random — nobody gets to farm their favorite — and every time stays hidden until the field is full. When the 8th run lands, everyone gets the reveal and the podium is paid.
- Seat 99🪙 · 8 players.
- Random game — you can’t pick your best one.
- One blind run; times hidden until all 8 land.
- Podium pays 🥇550 · 🥈140 · 🥉62🪙.
Arena edge: because the game is random, well-rounded players win here. The reaction and memory drills in our guides pay off most in the Arena, since you can’t lean on a single favorite.
Party Duel — scan-to-play QR rooms 🎉
Party Duel turns any table into a tournament. You host a room — name it (say, “Joe’s Bar”), add a logo, and it generates a printable QR code. Anyone scans it and competes on a shared leaderboard, no account required. Perfect for bars, parties, and events.
- Host a room with your name + logo.
- Get a printable QR code for the table.
- Guests scan and play — no account, no install.
- Everyone shares one live leaderboard.
Running an event or a venue? See the full Party Duel page for how to set one up.
Which mode should you play?
- New or warming up → free play & Friendly Duels.
- Confident in a game → The Pit.
- Feeling bold, want a big pot → The Arena.
- Hosting people in person → Party Duel.
Frequently asked questions
What’s the difference between The Pit and The Arena?
The Pit is 1v1 — stake 67🪙, better time takes the 123🪙 pot. The Arena is an 8-player tournament — a 99🪙 seat on a random game, with the podium paying 550/140/62🪙.
Do I have to play at the same time as my opponent?
No — both The Pit and The Arena are asynchronous. You play your blind run whenever you like, and results settle once the other runs land.
Is Party Duel free?
Party Duel is a scan-to-play local format where guests need no account — ideal for in-person events. You host one from the Party Duel section; see the /party/ page for details.
Can I practice before staking tokens?
Yes — play any game free first and check its guide. No purchase is necessary to play or to win prizes.