> For the complete documentation index, see [llms.txt](https://docs.ape.church/llms.txt). Markdown versions of documentation pages are available by appending `.md` to page URLs; this page is available as [Markdown](https://docs.ape.church/app-guide/the-house.md).

# The House

The <mark style="color:green;">**House**</mark> section allows players to participate as the house rather than only as bettors. By depositing funds, players contribute to the house pool, share in returns, and withdraw their balance when eligible. This feature provides an alternative way to engage with the platform by backing the house and earning from its overall performance.

<mark style="color:green;">**About the House**</mark>

Unlike traditional gambling platforms, <mark style="color:green;">**Ape Church**</mark> operates as a decentralized service, meaning it doesn't play the role of "the house." Instead, all players on the platform are essentially competing against each other.&#x20;

In <mark style="color:green;">**Player vs House (PvH)**</mark> games, the house is not operated by the platform but by players themselves. By providing liquidity to the pool, participants become the counterparty to other players’ bets and benefit from the statistical advantage that the house typically holds over time.

Balances are stored securely in <mark style="color:green;">**The House Smart Contract**</mark><mark style="color:green;">,</mark> and only the depositing wallet can withdraw funds.

* Players deposit APE into the house pool.
* Rewards are distributed proportionally to each player’s share.
* If the house wins, balances grow; if it loses, balances decrease.

*Example: Let’s say the house has $100,000 in total funds, and Player A stakes $10,000 into it. If the house wins multiple games and the funds grow to $200,000, Player A’s stake would now be worth $20,000, giving them the opportunity to withdraw their share.*

#### Interface Overview

<figure><img src="/files/1xsB64V7wzj3HV7teUwx" alt=""><figcaption></figcaption></figure>

At the top of the page, three key statistics are displayed:

* <mark style="color:green;">**My House Balance:**</mark>The current value of your House deposit. It grows as the House wins and shrinks when it loses. The green number below represents your lifetime profit.
* <mark style="color:green;">**House Total:**</mark> All APE currently held by the House across every member — the bankroll players bet against.
* <mark style="color:green;">**Total Volume:**</mark> Total APE wagered across all Ape Church games, all time.

#### Deposits and Withdrawals

On the right-hand side, you can manage your balance:

* <mark style="color:green;">**Deposit:**</mark> Enter the amount of APE you want to contribute. A **15-minute minimum lock period** applies to all deposits.
* <mark style="color:green;">**Withdraw:**</mark> Once funds are unlocked, you can withdraw them back to your wallet. A 2% withdrawal fee applies: 1% goes toward loot boxes and player incentives, while the other 1% is distributed to remaining house stakers whenever someone exits early.
* The balance panel shows your active deposit in both APE and USD.

Deposits into the house pool are permissionless and decentralized, meaning anyone can participate, and only the depositing wallet has control over its funds. By contributing liquidity, players take the opposite side of Player vs Player bets and share proportionally in the pool’s results.

#### Lock Period

The lock period is designed to protect fairness and prevent abuse. It stops players from withdrawing mid-match, reacting to randomness before outcomes are finalized, or exploiting timing through MEV bots and bad actors. This ensures fair play for both bettors and liquidity providers.

#### Latest Games Played

<figure><img src="/files/7rxINpv2vVo3TuiMT6LL" alt=""><figcaption></figcaption></figure>

At the bottom of the page, the <mark style="color:green;">**Latest Games Played**</mark> section lists recent platform activity, including:

* **Game:** The title of the game played.
* **Bet:** The wager amount.
* **Payout:** The result of the bet.
* **Player:** The account that placed the wager.
* **Time:** When the game took place.

#### Risk Considerations

While staking into the house offers the potential for profit, there is no guarantee of a steady income. If the house loses money, the stakers lose as well. This system is not risk-free, and players should be aware of the inherent risks in backing the house.

As the platform grows, more Player vs House games will be added, offering even more opportunities for players to stake funds into the house and bet against those seeking high-reward risks.