OSRS Blackjacking and Fruit Stalls Guide for Thieving Training

Training Thieving in Old School RuneScape (OSRS) can be a grind, but methods like blackjacking and stealing from fruit stalls offer efficient experience rates and decent rewards. This guide dives into both strategies, helping you decide which suits your playstyle. Whether you’re aiming for 99 Thieving or just looking to level up quickly, we’ll cover requirements, setups, and tips to maximize your gains. Let’s get started!

Blackjacking is one of the fastest Thieving training methods in OSRS, especially from levels 45 to 91. It’s intense, click-heavy, and requires focus, but the experience rates are unmatched for mid-to-high levels. Plus, it offers some gold per hour, making it a semi-profitable grind.

Requirements for Blackjacking

Before you start knocking out bandits, you’ll need to meet a few prerequisites:

Level 45 Thieving: The minimum to blackjack Bearded Pollnivnian Bandits.
Partial completion of The Feud quest: This unlocks access to Pollnivneach and blackjacking.
A blackjack: Any type works (e.g., offensive or defensive). Buy one from Ali Morrisane.
Optional: Rogue equipment: Full set doubles pickpocket loot, boosting profits.

How to Blackjack Effectively

Blackjacking involves luring a bandit into a private spot, knocking them out, and pickpocketing them while they’re unconscious. Here’s the step-by-step:

Head to Pollnivneach and find a bandit (Bearded Bandits at level 45, Pollnivnian Bandits at 55, or Menaphite Thugs at 65).
Lure the bandit to an empty house where others can’t see you.
Right-click to knock out the bandit, then quickly pickpocket twice before they wake up.
If you fail the knockout, try again immediately or pickpocket to avoid combat.
If combat starts, unequip your blackjack, knock them out again, and resume.

Pro tip: Set NPC Attack Options to “Hidden” and use resizable mode to minimize mouse movement. Zoom in and position the camera so the “Pickpocket” option is under your cursor when right-clicking.

Experience Rates and Level Progression

Experience rates vary by level and bandit type. Here’s a breakdown:

Bandit Type	Level Range	XP/Hour (Approx.)	GP/Hour (Approx.)
Bearded Pollnivnian Bandit	45–55	100k–150k	20k–40k
Pollnivnian Bandit	55–65	150k–200k	30k–50k
Menaphite Thug	65–91	200k–250k	40k–60k

These rates assume decent practice and inventory management with food like Saradomin brews or jugs of wine for healing.

Stealing from Fruit Stalls: A Relaxed Alternative

If blackjacking’s intensity isn’t your vibe, stealing from fruit stalls in Hosidius is a chill, low-effort option. It’s less XP per hour but requires minimal attention, making it ideal for casual players or those multitasking.

Fruit Stall Requirements

Fruit stalls are accessible early on with these requirements:

Level 25 Thieving: Needed to steal from the Hosidius fruit stalls.
15% Hosidius favor: Unlocked by completing tasks in Great Kourend.
Optional: Seed box: Stores seeds from stolen fruit, saving inventory space.

How to Steal from Fruit Stalls

The setup is straightforward:

Travel to Hosidius and locate the fruit stalls in the market square.
Wait for the stall owner to turn away or move, then click to steal.
Drop unwanted items (e.g., apples) or bank valuable seeds like ranarr or snapdragon.
Position yourself to avoid guard dogs, which can attack if you’re caught.

Pro tip: Stand in a spot where you can click the stall without moving, and use a seed box to maximize trip length.

Experience Rates and Loot

Fruit stalls offer steady XP and some profit from seeds. Here’s what to expect:

Level Range	XP/Hour (Approx.)	Notable Loot
25–45	20k–30k	Apples, bananas, low-tier seeds
45+	30k–40k	Ranarr, snapdragon, and torstol seeds

While the XP is lower than blackjacking, the relaxed pace and potential for high-value seeds make it a solid choice for early levels.

Comparing Blackjacking vs. Fruit Stalls

Both methods have their strengths. Here’s a quick comparison to help you choose:

Blackjacking: High XP (up to 250k/hour), moderate profit, but click-intensive and requires focus.
Fruit Stalls: Lower XP (up to 40k/hour), decent seed profit, low effort, and great for multitasking.

If you’re pushing for 99 Thieving quickly, blackjacking is the way to go. If you prefer a laid-back grind or are at lower levels, fruit stalls are perfect.

Inventory and Gear Setup

Your setup can make or break your efficiency. Here’s what to bring for each method.

Blackjacking Gear and Inventory

Focus on survivability and loot efficiency:

Blackjack: Essential for knocking out bandits.
Rogue equipment: Doubles pickpocket loot (optional but recommended).
Food: Saradomin brews, jugs of wine, or pies for healing. Bring noted food and unnote at the Banknote Exchange Merchant.
Teleport runes: For quick banking or escaping if needed.

Fruit Stall Gear and Inventory

Keep it simple to maximize trips:

Seed box: Stores seeds to reduce banking trips.
Graceful outfit: Speeds up movement if banking often.
Empty inventory: More space for fruit and seeds.

Tips for Maximizing Efficiency

Whether you’re blackjacking or stealing fruit, these tips will boost your XP and profits.

Blackjacking Efficiency Tips

Trap the bandit: Lure them to a spot where they can’t move, reducing your clicks.
Use food strategically: Heal only when necessary to save inventory space.
Practice timing: Perfect your knock-out and pickpocket rhythm to hit XP every two ticks.

Fruit Stall Efficiency Tips

Avoid guard dogs: Position yourself to minimize detection risk.
Bank high-value seeds: Ranarr and snapdragon seeds can stack up for decent GP.
Multitask: Watch a show or chat while stealing for a relaxed grind.

General Thieving Tips

Complete Thieving cape perks: At 99, the cape guarantees successful pickpockets for a short time daily.
Use Thieving boosts: Spicy stews or Bandit’s Brew can temporarily raise your level.
Stay focused: Even fruit stalls require occasional attention to avoid mistakes.

Both blackjacking and fruit stalls are excellent Thieving training methods in OSRS, catering to different player preferences. Blackjacking is your go-to for speed and intensity, while fruit stalls offer a relaxed grind with decent rewards. Choose based on your level, attention span, and goals. With the right setup and practice, you’ll be pickpocketing your way to 99 in no time!