Solo vs pool mining
Solo mining and pooled mining use the same underlying proof-of-work network. The difference is how a recognized block reward is allocated.
What happens with a small pool?
For RVN, VTC, BEAM and ETC, IntelligentPool assigns solo work while fewer than three independent active accounts are mining. Multiple GPUs on one account count as one user. When the minimum is met, pooled assignment is automatic. PRL uses pooled mining. A small pool does not mean the launcher should stop.
In solo assignment, the winning account receives its eligible block reward after the disclosed fee. It does not receive a steady share of other miners’ future blocks. With a small amount of hashpower, a block can take a long time to find, and no rental duration guarantees one.
What changes when pooled assignment starts?
Eligible work contributes to the pool’s proportional reward allocation for the applicable round. More participants can spread the outcome of a found block across accounts. The pool still needs to find a valid block; pooled assignment is not a fixed income or a promise of regular payments.
The work mode attached to a job determines its reward rules. Joining or leaving later does not rewrite previously recorded reward entitlements. The launcher handles assignment; you do not need to move between separate solo and pool configurations.
Accepted shares are work, not money
- The pool verifies a submitted share.
- A qualifying block candidate must be accepted on the native network.
- The block reward must mature and remain on the active chain.
- Your eligible balance must reach that coin’s payout minimum before payment.
Switching coins does not convert your coins. Unpaid balances remain separate by coin, account and receiving address. Check the current fee, minimums and carry-forward terms.
Before you start
Check the current pool observations and payment history, enter a native receiving address, and choose settings appropriate for your GPU and electricity cost. Compare the chance of finding a block with the amount of time and money you are prepared to spend; there is no guaranteed completion time.