How to evaluate a market’s rules and sources
By YesNo.fans editorial team · Updated
Most losses that feel unfair come from rules the trader did not read. Use this checklist before you trade any market.
Check the question
The question should have exactly one measurable outcome. Watch for vague words such as "significant", "major", or "officially" without a definition.
Check the deadline and timezone
A market that ends "on Friday" is ambiguous. Look for an exact date, time, and timezone, and for whether the event must happen before the deadline or merely be announced by it.
Check the resolution source
The rules should name where the answer comes from, for example a specific exchange, an official statistics release, or a league’s published result. A named, public, stable source is more reliable than "credible media reports".
- Is the source public and free to check?
- Can the source change or revise the figure after the deadline?
- What happens if the source is unavailable?
Check edge cases
Good rules say what happens if the event is postponed, cancelled, or technically ambiguous. Missing edge cases are a warning sign.
The English text is binding
If you read a translated title or summary, still read the canonical English description and rules, because those decide the result.
When rules are unclear
If you cannot answer "how will this be decided?" in one sentence, do not trade it. You can contact support with a question about a market before you commit funds.