# Joining a stake pool Stake pools offer [unique benefits](/background/what-are-hex-stake-pools.md) over staking HEX solo. There are 3 ways to join a HEX stake pool on Pool Party: 1. **Mint at Launch** When a stake pool launches, anyone can join the pool during the Mint Phase by minting 1 pool token per 1 HEX pledged to the pool smart contract. 2. **Buy Pool Tokens** Once pool tokens are minted, anyone can sell their pool tokens on decentralized exchanges. Pool tokens represent ownership in the stake and are backed by staked HEX. By buying pool tokens, you now hold ownership in the stake and can redeem its value of the HEX principle + earned yield when the stake ends. 3. **Mint at Reload** When a Stake Period ends, the Reload Phase begins and anyone can mint more pool tokens at the new mint rate. The Mint Rate during the Reload Phase is equal to the redemption rate during that Reload Phase. --- # Agent Instructions: Querying This Documentation If you need additional information that is not directly available in this page, you can query the documentation dynamically by asking a question. Perform an HTTP GET request on the current page URL with the `ask` query parameter: ``` GET https://docs.hexpool.party/pool-party/joining-a-stake-pool.md?ask= ``` The question should be specific, self-contained, and written in natural language. The response will contain a direct answer to the question and relevant excerpts and sources from the documentation. Use this mechanism when the answer is not explicitly present in the current page, you need clarification or additional context, or you want to retrieve related documentation sections.