Here, we’ll explain several methods for how to get money in Red Dead Redemption 2, highlighting our choices for the best ways to do so, and explaining how you’ll general get cash as you progress through the game. On this page: For more help, our Red Dead Redemption 2 walkthrough explains the requirements for fully completing the game’s many story missions. That being said, it seems to work darn well when we try it. The best way to get rich quick in Red Dead Redemption 2 is to go huntin’ for gold; or, more specifically, to find things called Gold Bars. The best way to get money fast in Red Dead Redemption 2 - finding gold bars Gold Bars can be found all over the world of Red Dead Redemption 2, but their high value (around $500!) means none of them are going to be totally easy to acquire. Here’s a rundown of all the places we know you can get Gold Bars so far:
One Gold Bar can be found in the old Sherriff’s building at the burned-down village of Limpany:
Two Gold Bars are your reward for completing the Jack Hall Gang Treasure Maps. Four Gold Bars as the reward for solving The Poisonous Trail Treasure Maps. You get one Gold Ingot - which is not the same as a Gold Bar, being worth just $300 instead of $500 - for completing the final quest of Chapter 2. More on that in our main Red Dead Redemption 2 walkthrough.
Progress through the story It might sound simple, but it is. Playing the story will generally keep you well stocked-up on cash, with several early missions, such as An American Pastoral Scene ($300) and Pouring forth Oil ($187) awarding you decent chunks of money even fairly early on. There’s also the fact that you’ll do a lot of shooting and looting in the main story quests of Red Dead Redemption 2, which brings us to the next point… Loot everything and everyone It might only seem like chump change, but the loot you gather from bodies and environments - even just the ones you ransack your way through in the main story alone - will very quickly add up. Your stolen goods will need to be sold at a fence, rather than a regular shop, mind - we’ve more on those in our guide to Red Dead Redemption 2 fences. The PC version has seen several new additions, including a photo mode, Landmarks of Riches Treasure Map, The Elemental Trail Treasure Map and the End of the Earth mission. If you’re looking for more help in general, our Red Dead Redemption 2 mission list walkthrough can help provide pointers with the story. If you’re looking for things to find, there are Killer Clue Piece locations, High Stakes Treasure Map locations, Jack Hall Gang Treasure Map locations, Red Dead Redemption 2 Le Tresor Des Morts and the Poisonous Trail Treasure Map locations too. Our in-depth systems explainers includes hunting perfect pelts, hides and skins as well as all Legendary Animal locations and Legendary Fish locations, or all Gunslinger locations, too. Finally, here’s a list of Red Dead Redemption 2 cheat codes . Gambling There are multiple places around Red Dead Redemption 2’s world that you can gamble, but the best way to earn money from it - if you know what you’re doing - is to play Poker in particular. This is unlocked after you complete the early Chapter 2 mission Who is Not Without Sin?, where you also get a tutorial if you’re not sure of the rules - you can also check up on these in the Help section of the game’s menu, too. It’s all fairly low-stakes stuff, at least early on, but it’s a fun way to pass the time if that’s what you’re into. A good early location for Poker is the larger Valentine saloon, after the mess you make in Americans at Rest has been cleaned up, and you can play Five Finger Fillet in the smaller saloon in town there, too. Bounty Hunting Finally, another good source of income is Bounty Hunting. If you’ve committed a crime at any point you’ll have probably already had your first encounter with the game’s Bounty system - more on that in our dedicated guide on how to get rid of your Bounty and Wanted level - but as well as accumulating a bounty on your own head, you can also go out and grab some NPCs who have picked one up themselves. You’ll get $50 for completing your first bounty hunt, which is part of the Chapter 2 side mission Good, Honest Snake Oil - head to the Valentine Sheriff’s office to start this one off and get a tutorial-like introduction to your first bounty hunt. From then on, bounties are available for you to pick up around the game. Head to a Sheriff or Post Office building and check the noticeboard inside, and if there’s a bounty posted there the person’s general location will be marked on your map. Some will need to be returned alive, whilst others can be dead or alive - but they’re always worth more when brought back living. Return them to the place you’re told and collect your reward. It’s not the fastest method in the world, but it’s a decent income and breaks up some other more monotonous methods, too.
