Casino Heist: The Diamond Casino Heist in GTA Online is one of the most profitable heists available in the game. Players team up to rob the Diamond Casino, choosing from multiple approaches and facing different vault contents. However, a recurring question among players is:
“How much does Lester take as his cut?”
Casino Heist: Lester Crest, the ever-watchful strategist and hacker, plays a vital role in setting up the heist, but unlike crew members, his cut is not negotiable. This article explores how much Lester takes, when, and how it affects your final payout.
🔍 Overview of the Heist
Casino Heist: Before diving into Lester’s take, let’s briefly review the Casino Heist structure:
| Phase | Description |
|---|---|
| Planning | Choose approach, crew members, and gather intel. |
| Setup Missions | Complete a series of missions based on your selected approach. |
| Finale | Execute the heist and split the loot. |
Vault Contents and Maximum Take
Casino Heist: The total amount of money you can get from the vault varies based on the content type:
| Vault Content | Max Take (Before Cuts) |
|---|---|
| Cash | $2,115,000 |
| Artwork | $2,350,000 |
| Gold | $2,585,000 |
| Diamonds* | $3,619,000 |
*Diamonds are only available during special event weeks.
💰 Lester’s Cut Explained
Casino Heist: Lester’s cut is fixed and non-negotiable. It is calculated as a percentage of the total loot value before player splits or crew cuts. Here is the breakdown:
| Role | Cut % | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Lester | 10% | Taken from the total haul after crew cuts. |
| Crew (Hackers, etc.) | Varies by crew member chosen | Paid before Lester’s cut. |
| Player Crew Split | Customizable | What’s left after all other cuts. |
Example: Lester’s Cut Calculation
Let’s take an example where the vault contains Gold.
- Max Gold Value: $2,585,000
- Selected Hacker (Avi Schwartzman): 10% cut
- Gunman and Driver: 5% each
Step-by-step Calculation
- Crew Cuts First Total Crew Cut = 10% (Hacker) + 5% (Gunman) + 5% (Driver) = 20% 20% of $2,585,000 = $517,000
- Remaining After Crew = $2,068,000
- Lester’s 10% Cut 10% of $2,068,000 = $206,800
- Final Take for Players $2,068,000 – $206,800 = $1,861,200
Table: Lester’s Cut by Vault Type (Assuming 20% crew cut)
| Vault Content | Max Value | Crew Cuts (20%) | Remaining | Lester’s Cut (10%) | Player Pool |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Cash | $2,115,000 | $423,000 | $1,692,000 | $169,200 | $1,522,800 |
| Artwork | $2,350,000 | $470,000 | $1,880,000 | $188,000 | $1,692,000 |
| Gold | $2,585,000 | $517,000 | $2,068,000 | $206,800 | $1,861,200 |
| Diamonds | $3,619,000 | $723,800 | $2,895,200 | $289,520 | $2,605,680 |
These are maximum theoretical values, assuming perfect execution and zero loot loss during the escape.
🎯 Maximizing Player Payouts
If you want to reduce the impact of Lester’s cut, here are a few tips:
1. Use Cheaper Crew Members
Choosing lower-tier crew members results in a higher leftover for Lester and players, but comes with greater risk. For example:
- Gunman: Norm Richards (5%) vs. Packie McReary (10%)
- Driver: Karol (5%) vs. Taliana Martinez (9%)
Lower crew skill means more potential complications in the heist finale.
2. Avoid Loot Loss
🎯 Final Notes
Lester’s 10% might seem small compared to the total take, but it adds up—especially when you consider that it’s calculated after the initial crew cuts. In a perfectly executed Diamond haul, Lester can walk away with nearly $290,000, while you and your crew still make millions.
