Beginner Guide

How to Use Polymarket

Polymarket is the world's largest prediction market, with billions traded on elections, crypto, sports, and global events. This guide walks you through everything you need to get started.

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What Is Polymarket?

A prediction market where you trade on the outcomes of real-world events.

Polymarket lets you buy and sell shares in the outcomes of future events. If you think something will happen, you buy "Yes" shares. If you think it won't, you buy "No" shares. Each share pays out $1.00 if you're right, and $0 if you're wrong.

The price of a share reflects the crowd's estimated probability. A "Yes" share at 70¢ means the market thinks there's a 70% chance it happens. If you think the true probability is higher, buying is a smart trade.

Polymarket is built on the Polygon blockchain and uses USDC (a stablecoin pegged to the US dollar) for all transactions. Don't worry if that sounds complicated — we'll walk through setup step by step.

$1B+
Monthly Trading Volume
500+
Active Markets
Global
Availability
2%
Fee on Winnings Only

Getting Started: Step by Step

From zero to your first trade in about 10 minutes.

1

Create Your Account

Visit Polymarket and sign up with your email or connect a crypto wallet. You can use MetaMask, Coinbase Wallet, or create an account directly on Polymarket.

2

Deposit USDC

Fund your account with USDC. You can buy USDC directly on Polymarket with a credit card, or transfer from an exchange like Coinbase. Deposits on Polygon are near-instant.

3

Browse Markets

Explore markets by category — politics, crypto, sports, science, entertainment, and more. Look for markets where you have knowledge or an information edge.

4

Place Your First Trade

Select a market, choose Yes or No, set your amount, and confirm. You can sell your position at any time before the market resolves — you don't have to wait.

Create Your Polymarket Account

Trading Tips for Beginners

Trade What You Know

Your biggest edge is domain expertise. If you follow politics closely, trade political markets. If you're a sports fan, look for mispriced team markets. The crowd is smart, but not smarter than a true expert.

Start Small

Begin with $10-20 while you learn how the platform works. Polymarket contracts cost between 1¢ and 99¢ each, so small amounts let you diversify across multiple markets.

Think in Probabilities

Don't just think "will this happen?" — think "is this more likely than the current price suggests?" A "Yes" at 80¢ isn't automatically a bad buy if you think the true probability is 95%.

Take Profits When You Can

You don't have to wait for a market to resolve. If you buy at 30¢ and the price rises to 60¢, you can sell for a 100% profit right now rather than waiting for the uncertain final outcome.

Watch the Volume

High-volume markets have tighter spreads and more accurate pricing. Low-volume markets can be harder to trade but may have more mispricing opportunities.

Diversify Your Bets

Don't put everything on one market. Spread your capital across several markets where you have an edge. Even good predictions are wrong sometimes.

Popular Market Categories

Polymarket covers events across every major domain.

Politics

Elections, legislation, geopolitical events. The 2024 US presidential election saw hundreds of millions traded on Polymarket.

Crypto

Bitcoin price milestones, ETF approvals, protocol upgrades. Natural fit for Polymarket's crypto-native audience.

Sports

Championship winners, playoff outcomes, major tournament results. Growing category with increasing liquidity.

Science & Tech

AI breakthroughs, space missions, drug approvals. Trade on the future of technology and scientific progress.

Polymarket vs. Kalshi

How does Polymarket compare to the other major prediction market?

FeaturePolymarketKalshi
AvailabilityGlobalUS only
CurrencyUSDC (crypto)USD (bank transfer)
RegulationUnregulatedCFTC regulated
LiquidityVery highGood
KYC RequiredNoYes
Fees2% on winningsPer-trade fee
Mobile AppWeb onlyiOS & Android

Read our detailed Kalshi vs. Polymarket comparison

Frequently Asked Questions

Is Polymarket available in the US?

Polymarket is primarily designed for international users. US residents face regulatory restrictions. If you're in the US, Kalshi is the legal option with a $10 sign-up bonus.

Do I need crypto experience to use Polymarket?

No. Polymarket has simplified the onboarding process significantly. You can sign up with email and buy USDC directly with a credit card. No need to use MetaMask or understand blockchain details.

What is USDC?

USDC is a stablecoin — a cryptocurrency pegged 1:1 to the US dollar. 1 USDC always equals $1.00. It's issued by Circle and is one of the most widely used stablecoins in crypto.

How much money do I need to start?

You can start with as little as $5-10. Contracts typically cost between 1¢ and 99¢, so even small amounts let you take multiple positions.

What fees does Polymarket charge?

Polymarket charges a 2% fee on winnings only. If you lose a trade, there's no additional fee. Deposits and withdrawals are free (besides minimal Polygon gas fees).

Can I sell before a market resolves?

Yes. You can sell your position at any time at the current market price. This lets you lock in profits or cut losses without waiting for the final outcome.

How do I withdraw my money?

Withdraw USDC from Polymarket to any Polygon-compatible wallet. From there, you can convert to USD via an exchange like Coinbase and withdraw to your bank.

Ready to Start Trading?

Join the world's largest prediction market and put your knowledge to work.

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Free to sign up · No KYC required · Available globally

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