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ThePolyAcademy
Understand the odds before you trade.
Free, plain-language lessons on how prediction markets work — from reading a price as a probability to how contracts settle.
Ready to see real markets?
Once you understand the basics, you can browse live markets and their prices.
Prediction markets involve risk. You can lose money. Nothing here is financial advice.
What is Polymarket?
Polymarket is a prediction market: a platform where people buy and sell shares on the outcome of real-world events — elections, economic data, sports, crypto and more. Each share trades between $0.01 and $0.99 and pays $1.00 if its outcome happens, so the price works like the crowd's estimate of the probability. Polymarket is run by Blockratize Inc. and was founded in 2020; accounts are funded and settled in USDC, a dollar-pegged stablecoin.
Prices are probabilities
A YES share at 62¢ implies roughly a 62% chance. Prices move as traders react to news.
Fees and payouts
Winning shares pay $1.00 each at resolution. Fees depend on the market category.
Availability varies
Access depends on your country and, in the US, on the regulated Polymarket US app.
Free tools
Calculators to understand odds, costs and risk before you trade.
Odds Converter
Convert a prediction-market price into implied probability, decimal, fractional and American odds — and back.
Profit Calculator
See your cost, profit if you win, loss if you lose and return on investment for any share price.
Expected Value Calculator
Compare your own probability with the market price to estimate expected value per share and in total.
Kelly Calculator
Estimate full, half and quarter Kelly position sizes from the price, your probability and your bankroll.
Fee Calculator
Estimate trading fees by market category and order type (maker or taker).
Country Checker
Look up a country to see whether Polymarket is listed as available, restricted or not yet verified.
Is Polymarket available in your country?
Type your country and we'll tell you its current status.
Featured guides
All guidesPolymarket Invite, Promo, and Referral Codes Explained
Curious about Polymarket invite codes, promo codes, or referral programs? Learn what they are, how they work, and if they're currently available for traders.
Evaluating Crypto Prediction Markets: A Guide
Learn how to effectively evaluate crypto prediction markets, understand market dynamics, and analyze factors influencing prices in these unique trading environments.
Mastering Polymarket: Limit Orders and the Order Book
Learn how to use limit orders and understand the Polymarket order book to trade more effectively. Explore market orders, bid-ask spread, and advanced strategies.
Paper Trading for Prediction Markets: Practice Without Risk
Learn how to practice paper trading on prediction markets with free simulators. Develop strategies, understand mechanics, and build confidence before using real money.
Researching 2028 Presidential Election Markets
Learn how to research and analyze 2028 presidential election predictions on prediction markets. Understand political betting and election odds for informed decisions.
Using Prediction Markets to Track & Understand the News
Learn how prediction markets offer unique insights into current events. Discover how to use them as a dynamic news source and stay informed.
How to Read Polymarket Odds and Prices
Learn to interpret Polymarket odds and prices. Understand how probabilities are represented, what 'Yes' and 'No' contracts mean, and calculate potential returns on this prediction market platform.
Polymarket Account Help: Log In, Username, Delete Account and Support
How to log in to Polymarket, change your username, delete your Polymarket account, contact support and find the official Polymarket address.
Polymarket KYC and Age Requirements: Do You Need ID?
Does Polymarket require KYC or ID? How old you need to be to use Polymarket, what the 2026 KYC requirements look like, and how Kalshi compares.
Polymarket Liquidity Rewards, Rebates, Builders and Referral Programs
How Polymarket liquidity rewards work in 2026, maker and taker rebates, the Polymarket Builders Program, and referral or affiliate programs.
Can You Parlay on Polymarket? Combos and Multi-Leg Bets Explained
Can you make parlays on Polymarket? How combos and multiple legs work (or don't), and how to build a similar position safely.
Polymarket Waitlist: How Long It Takes and What 'Available Soon' Means
Why Polymarket has a waitlist, how long the Polymarket US waitlist takes, and what 'available soon' and view-only mode mean.
A price is a probability
On a prediction market, a YES share that costs $0.62 means traders collectively estimate a 62% chance the event happens. If it does, each YES share pays $1.00. If it doesn't, it pays $0.
New here? Start with these
Polymarket Invite, Promo, and Referral Codes Explained
Curious about Polymarket invite codes, promo codes, or referral programs? Learn what they are, how they work, and if they're currently available for traders.
CNN Fear & Greed Index vs. Prediction Market Odds
Explore the differences between the CNN Fear & Greed Index and prediction market odds as tools for gauging market sentiment and future events.
Prediction Markets vs. Stock Market & Day Trading
Explore key differences between prediction markets and the stock market, including day trading. Understand speculation and how these platforms work.
Polymarket Bitcoin & Crypto Price Prediction Markets
Explore how Polymarket allows users to predict Bitcoin and other cryptocurrency prices, offering a unique way to engage with crypto markets.
Latest articles
Polymarket Invite, Promo, and Referral Codes Explained
Curious about Polymarket invite codes, promo codes, or referral programs? Learn what they are, how they work, and if they're currently available for traders.
CNN Fear & Greed Index vs. Prediction Market Odds
Explore the differences between the CNN Fear & Greed Index and prediction market odds as tools for gauging market sentiment and future events.
Prediction Markets vs. Stock Market & Day Trading
Explore key differences between prediction markets and the stock market, including day trading. Understand speculation and how these platforms work.
Prediction Markets vs. Futures Contracts
Explore the key differences and similarities between prediction markets and traditional futures contracts, understanding their mechanics and use cases.
The CLARITY Act and Prediction Markets Like Polymarket
Explore the CLARITY Act, its proposed impact on prediction markets like Polymarket, and the role of the CFTC in regulating this evolving industry.
Polymarket Bitcoin & Crypto Price Prediction Markets
Explore how Polymarket allows users to predict Bitcoin and other cryptocurrency prices, offering a unique way to engage with crypto markets.
Prediction markets, explained simply
What are prediction markets? A prediction market is a place where people trade shares on the outcome of real events — elections, crypto prices, sports or economic data. Each share trades between $0 and $1, so the price reads as the crowd's probability. How do prediction markets work in practice? If you buy "Yes" at $0.62 and the event happens, the share pays $1; if not, it pays nothing.
What is Polymarket? Polymarket (often searched as "poly market") is the largest crypto-based prediction market. ThePolyAcademy explains how Polymarket works, whether Polymarket is legal in your country, how Polymarket makes money, and how it compares with Kalshi, PredictIt, Robinhood prediction markets and other prediction market apps. We cover prediction market news without hype and never promise profits.
Ready to see real markets?
Once you understand the basics, you can browse live markets and their prices.
Prediction markets involve risk. You can lose money. Nothing here is financial advice.