Sports Betting Markets
1.How sports markets work
Each market is a question like 'Who wins: Dodgers vs Brewers?' or 'Will the Chiefs win the Super Bowl?'. The price of a side is roughly its chance to win. Win = $1.00 per contract.
Unlike a sportsbook, you trade with other people. You can sell before the game ends if the price moves your way.
2.Types of markets
Moneyline: who wins the game. Spreads/totals ('O/U 1.5'): margin or combined score lines. Props: player or team stats. Futures: champions and awards decided at season end.
Futures tie up money for months; game markets settle within hours.
3.Reading the rules
Check what counts: overtime, postponements, and the official source. A delayed game may be settled at the last fair price instead of the result.
Two markets that look the same can differ in one sentence — read it.
4.Starting safely
Paper-trade first on the Predict tab. Bet small, one game at a time. Favourites lose often: a 70% favourite loses 3 games in 10.
Never bet because you're a fan. Bet only when the price looks wrong to you for a reason you can explain.
Live examples
"Yes" trades at 36¢ → the crowd's chance is about 36%. $10 buys about 26.6 contracts at 36¢ (+fee), paying $26.59 if it happens.
"Yes" trades at 65¢ → the crowd's chance is about 65%. $10 buys about 15.0 contracts at 65¢ (+fee), paying $14.95 if it happens.
"Yes" trades at 12¢ → the crowd's chance is about 12%. $10 buys about 78.5 contracts at 12¢ (+fee), paying $78.53 if it happens.
Live examples use current Polymarket US prices and refresh every few minutes. Educational only — not financial advice.