Lightning Payment Guide - How to Pay with Bitcoin

THE BASICS

What is Bitcoin Lightning?

Bitcoin is digital money that no bank or government controls. You own it completely and can send it to anyone in the world instantly.

The Lightning Network is a faster layer built on top of Bitcoin. Think of it like this: if Bitcoin is the banking system, Lightning is your debit card. Payments on Lightning are:

Instant - settle in under a second
Cheap - fees are fractions of a cent
Private - no bank account or credit card needed
Yours - no one can freeze or reverse your funds

On TLW Death Pool, each wager card costs 1,000 satoshis (sats). A satoshi is the smallest unit of Bitcoin - there are 100 million satoshis in one Bitcoin. At current prices, 1,500 sats is approximately $1 USD.

Simple version: You download a free app, buy a small amount of Bitcoin, and use it to pay for wager cards instantly. Winners receive their payout directly to the same app. No bank. No waiting. No fees.

STEP ONE

Choose a Lightning Wallet

A Lightning wallet is a free app on your phone that holds your Bitcoin and lets you send and receive payments. We recommend one of these five wallets. All are free to download.

Phoenix

RECOMMENDED EASY

The best choice for most users. Manages everything automatically. Self-custodial meaning only you control your funds. Clean, simple interface.

iOS & Android

DOWNLOAD

Strike

BEST FOR US USERS

Links directly to your US bank account or debit card. Buy Bitcoin and send Lightning payments without any crypto exchanges. The easiest on-ramp if you are in the United States.

iOS & Android

DOWNLOAD

Muun

EASY

Very simple to set up. Works like a regular banking app. Good backup and recovery options. Great for beginners.

iOS & Android

DOWNLOAD

Wallet of Satoshi

CUSTODIAL

The simplest Lightning wallet available. Works immediately with no setup. Note: custodial means the company holds your funds on your behalf, similar to a bank. Best for very small amounts.

iOS & Android

DOWNLOAD

Blue Wallet

INTERMEDIATE

Popular open-source wallet with both Bitcoin and Lightning support. More features and control for users who want to explore further.

iOS & Android

DOWNLOAD

STEP TWO

Add Bitcoin to Your Wallet

Once you have installed a wallet you need to add some Bitcoin to it. You only need a very small amount to get started - even $5 is enough for five wager cards with money left over.

1

Open your wallet app and look for a button that says Buy, Add funds, or Receive. Tap it to see your wallet address or QR code.
2

Buy Bitcoin from an exchange. Popular options include Coinbase, Cash App, or Kraken. Create a free account, link your bank card, and buy a small amount of Bitcoin - $5 to $20 is plenty to start.
3

Send Bitcoin to your wallet. In the exchange app, tap Send or Withdraw, paste your wallet address, and confirm. The funds will arrive in your Lightning wallet within minutes.
4

Strike users: Skip steps 2 and 3 entirely. Strike lets you buy and hold Bitcoin directly inside the app using your bank account or debit card.

How much do I need? Each wager card costs 1,500 sats (~$1.50 USD). We recommend starting with $5-10 worth of Bitcoin which gives you 5-10 cards to play with. You can always add more later.

STEP THREE

How Payments Work on TLW Death Pool

Once your wallet is funded, buying a wager card is straightforward. The whole process takes about 10 seconds.

1

Search for a subject on the main page and click their name to open the wager card modal.
2

Choose your predicted date of death and tap Seal the Wager.
3

A Lightning invoice appears - either a QR code or a payment string starting with "lnbc...". Open your Lightning wallet, tap Send or Scan, and either scan the QR code or paste the invoice string.
4

Confirm the payment in your wallet. The 1,000 sat fee will be shown. Tap pay and the card is sealed instantly.
5

Your card appears in My Cards immediately. The payment is final and the pool is live.

Payment failed? Lightning payments occasionally fail if your wallet cannot find a route to our node. Simply try again or try a different wallet. You are never charged for a failed payment.

WINNING

How to Receive Your Payout

When you win a pool, the house calculates your payout and sends it directly to your Lightning wallet. Here is what to expect:

1

You will receive an email notification when your card is triggered and you are confirmed as the winner.
2

Generate a Lightning invoice in your wallet app for the payout amount. In most wallets tap Receive, enter the amount, and copy the invoice.
3

Send your invoice to us at [email protected] with your username and the pool you won.
4

Payout is sent within 24 hours directly to your Lightning wallet. 90% of the pool total - the house retains 10% as rake.

Important: Lightning invoices expire after a set time (usually 24 hours). Generate your invoice only when you are ready to receive the payout.

COMMON QUESTIONS

Frequently Asked Questions

Is Bitcoin safe to use?

Bitcoin has been running continuously since 2009 and has never been hacked. The wallets recommended here are all well-established and trusted by millions of users. As with any money, only keep what you are willing to spend in a mobile wallet.

What is the difference between custodial and self-custodial?

A custodial wallet (like Wallet of Satoshi) holds your Bitcoin on your behalf, similar to a bank. A self-custodial wallet (like Phoenix) means only you have access to your funds. For small amounts either is fine. For larger amounts always use self-custodial.

Can I use Bitcoin on-chain instead of Lightning?

No. TLW Death Pool only accepts Lightning Network payments. Regular on-chain Bitcoin transactions are too slow and too expensive for $1 card purchases.

What if I send too much or too little?

Our payment system generates a precise invoice for exactly 1,500 sats. Your wallet will show the exact amount before you confirm. You cannot accidentally overpay or underpay.

Can I get a refund if I change my mind?

No. Lightning payments are final and irreversible by design. Please review your prediction carefully before sealing the wager. This is stated in our Terms of Service.

What if I need help?

Email us at [email protected] and we will help you get set up. We are happy to walk you through the process.

TLW DEATH POOL

How to Pay with Bitcoin Lightning