How to Bet on Polymarket: Complete Beginner's Guide
Prediction markets sound complex — but once you get the hang of them, they're one of the most exciting ways to put your opinions (and money) to the test.
Here's your all-in-one guide to getting started on Polymarket, the biggest decentralized prediction market in the world.
What Is Polymarket?
Polymarket lets you trade on real-world events — anything from the next U.S. election winner to whether Bitcoin hits $100K this year.
Each market is a yes/no question, and you buy shares in the outcome you think will happen.
Example:
"Will Trump win the 2024 U.S. Presidential Election?"
- "Yes" shares might cost $0.43 and "No" shares might cost $0.57.
- If your side wins, you get $1 per share. If not, you get $0.
Step 1: Get a Wallet
You'll need a crypto wallet that supports Polygon (like MetaMask or Rainbow).
Once installed, connect it to polymarket.com and switch your network to Polygon.
Step 2: Add USDC
Polymarket runs on USDC, a stablecoin pegged to the U.S. dollar.
You can buy USDC directly in your wallet or transfer it from an exchange like Coinbase or Binance.
Step 3: Make Your First Trade
Choose a market, click "Buy Shares," pick "Yes" or "No," and confirm the transaction.
Congrats, you just made your first prediction!
Track Prices and Probabilities
Each share's price reflects the market's implied probability.
If "Yes" trades at $0.70, that means traders think there's a 70% chance of it happening.
Common Mistakes
Don't go all-in on one event, avoid low-liquidity markets, and remember fees add up.
Final Thoughts
Start small, diversify, and think probabilistically — that's how you get good at this.