# Rule Pitfalls

Here are the most common rule pitfalls to watch out for when trading.

### Market titles can be misleading

Market titles may **oversimplify** or fail to reflect the **nuance of the resolution criteria**.

*Examples:* In *Will Trump jail Elon Musk?*, the title suggested Trump sending Elon Musk to jail, but the rules required Elon Musk actually serving jail time, regardless of who sent him there.

In *What will Powell say during July Press Conference?*, one of the outcomes was "Step/Stepping Down." Some thought Powell saying the word "step" would qualify, but Polymarket clarified that only "step down" or "stepping down" counted.

### Rules can be unclear

Sometimes, rules are **poorly worded**, **vague**, **or ambiguous**. They may fail to define **key terms or qualifying events**, which opens the door to disputes.&#x20;

*Examples*: In *Will Zelenskyy wear a suit before July?*, the rules never defined "suit." Some traders counted any formal attire, while others argued only a traditional Western-style suit qualified. The lack of clarity led to traders arguing over what counts.&#x20;

In *Biden senile during the debate?*, the rules never defined "senile." Some traders pointed to Biden appearing confused, while others argued that was opinion-based. The market ultimately resolved to 50/50.&#x20;

### Similar markets have different resolution criteria

Markets with nearly identical titles can still have very different **resolution criteria** and **resolution sources**.

*Example*: In *Ukraine agrees to Trump mineral deal before April?*, the market resolves to Yes if the countries agree to a deal. Its resolution source is the US and Ukrainian governments.

In *Trump x Ukraine mineral deal signed before June?*, the rules require a formally signed deal before the deadline. Its resolution sources include the US and Ukrainian governments and a consensus of credible reporting.

### Resolution sources can be unreliable

The listed resolution source is **inaccurate**, **inconsistently maintained**, or **fundamentally flawed**.

*Examples*: In *Will DOGE cut $3B of DEI contracts before March?*, the designated source (doge-tracker.com) changed its data after the market went live. This made it impossible to determine a clear outcome, and the market resolved to 50/50 with refunds issued.&#x20;

In *Lord Miles completes 40-day water fast in the desert?*, Lord Miles initially livestreamed his fast, but later turned off the stream. This made the designated source unreliable and raised doubts about how the market could resolve.&#x20;

### Market titles are later edited

Market titles may be later **edited** to better reflect the rules, but resolution is always based on the rules.&#x20;

*Example*: In *Yoon in jail before September?*, the resolution criteria required Yoon's arrest or detention by law enforcement. The title was later updated to *Yoon arrested before September?* to better reflect the rules, but the criteria did not change.

### Market thumbnails are illustrative

Market thumbnails are **illustrative** only and have no impact on how the market should resolve.&#x20;

*Example*: Most markets use a stock photo of a country flag or public figure.&#x20;

In *Will Zelenskyy wear a suit before July?*, the image showed him in formal attire, but the rules, not the image, defined the resolution criteria.

### Polymarket social media does not decide resolution

Polymarket's **social media activity** is **not a basis for resolution**. The **social media team** operates separately from the **Markets team**.

*Example*: After the Epstein files were released, Polymarket's official X account posted, "[It contains NONE of the names of Epstein's associates](https://x.com/Polymarket/status/1895261380581958086)." The Markets team later clarified in the market *Who will be named in Epstein files by June 30?* that names of associates were in fact included.
