Documentation
Everything you need to know about SlothGambol - the chillest on-chain poker platform.
Overview
SlothGambol is a decentralized poker platform built on Avalanche. We combine the speed of Avalanche's sub-second finality with cryptographic card shuffling to create a provably fair, non-custodial poker experience.
Non-Custodial
Your chips stay in smart contracts you control. Withdraw anytime.
Provably Fair
Mental Poker cryptography ensures no one can cheat - not even us.
Fast Settlement
Avalanche's sub-2-second finality means instant chip transfers.
No House Edge
Peer-to-peer poker. We don't take rake from your pots.
Getting Started
1. Connect Your Wallet
Click "Connect" in the top right and use MetaMask or any WalletConnect-compatible wallet. Make sure you're on the Avalanche Fuji Testnet.
2. Get Test AVAX
Visit our Faucet page to get free test AVAX from the official Avalanche faucet, then claim test chips.
3. Join a Table
Head to the Lobby, pick a table that matches your stakes, click an empty seat, and buy in.
4. Play Poker
Once seated, wait for another player to join. The game starts automatically with 2+ players. Use the action buttons or keyboard shortcuts to play.
Keyboard Shortcuts
How It Works
Chip Flow
Deposit
Send AVAX to the ChipVault contract. Your balance is tracked on-chain.
Join Table
When you sit down, your buy-in amount is locked in the smart contract.
Play
Hands are dealt using Mental Poker cryptography. Bets are tracked by the server.
Settlement
When you leave or a hand ends, winnings are settled on-chain atomically.
Withdraw
Your available balance can be withdrawn to your wallet anytime.
Architecture
SlothGambol uses a hybrid architecture for the best balance of speed and security:
- Smart Contracts: Handle deposits, withdrawals, chip locking, and settlement
- Game Server: Manages real-time gameplay, hand logic, and Mental Poker coordination
- WebSocket: Provides instant updates for a smooth playing experience
- Database: Stores hand history and player statistics
Smart Contracts
ChipVault
The main contract that manages all chip balances, table locks, and settlements.
Key Functions
deposit()PublicDeposit AVAX to receive chips. Min 0.01 AVAX, Max 1000 AVAX.
withdraw(amount)PublicWithdraw AVAX from your available balance.
lockChips(player, amount, tableId)Server OnlyLock chips when a player joins a table. Called by authorized servers.
settleTable(tableId, players, deltas)Server OnlySettle a hand by applying win/loss deltas. Must sum to zero.
Mental Poker Protocol
Mental Poker is a cryptographic protocol that allows players to play a fair game of cards without a trusted third party to shuffle and deal. Here's how it works:
1. Commitment Phase
Each player generates a secret key and commits to it by publishing a hash. This ensures no one can change their key later.
2. Shuffle Phase
Players take turns encrypting and shuffling the deck. Each player's encryption layer ensures that no single party knows the card order.
3. Dealing
To reveal a card, all players except the recipient provide their decryption keys for that specific card. Only the recipient can see their hole cards.
4. Showdown
At showdown, players reveal their keys to decrypt all cards. Anyone can verify the shuffle was fair by checking the cryptographic proofs.
Note: Mental Poker is currently in development. The testnet uses server-side shuffling while we complete the full cryptographic implementation.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is this real money?
Currently, SlothGambol is on Avalanche Fuji Testnet using test AVAX. This has no real value. Mainnet launch with real AVAX is planned for the future.
How do I get test chips?
Visit the Faucet page, get free test AVAX from the Avalanche faucet, then claim chips. There's a 1-hour cooldown between claims.
Can I trust the shuffle?
Once Mental Poker is fully implemented, the shuffle is provably fair - cryptographically guaranteed. No one (including us) can manipulate the cards.
What happens if I disconnect?
Your chips remain locked at the table. If you don't return within the time limit, you'll be folded automatically. Your remaining chips will be unlocked.
Is there rake?
No! SlothGambol doesn't take any rake from pots. It's pure peer-to-peer poker.
Which wallets are supported?
MetaMask, WalletConnect, Coinbase Wallet, and most Ethereum-compatible wallets work with SlothGambol.
Where can I report bugs?
Please report issues on our GitHub repository or reach out on Discord.