> ## Documentation Index
> Fetch the complete documentation index at: https://docs.predictamarkets.com/llms.txt
> Use this file to discover all available pages before exploring further.

# Trading Basics

> Step-by-step guide to placing buy and sell orders on Predicta

## How to Trade on Predicta

This guide walks you through placing orders and trading on Predicta Markets.

## Understanding Orders

### Order Types

* **BUY**: Purchase shares in a prediction
* **SELL**: Sell shares you already own

### Order Sides

* **YES**: You believe the event will happen
* **NO**: You believe the event won't happen

### Reading a Market Card

Each market outcome shows:

* **Probability** (e.g. 50%) — the current implied probability of that outcome
* **Multiplier** (e.g. 2.00×) — how much you'd win relative to your stake if correct
* **YES / NO buttons** — click to open the order form for that side

## Placing a Buy Order

### Step 1: Navigate to a Market

1. Find the market you want to trade (browse via the Markets page or search)
2. Click on it to open the market detail page

### Step 2: Choose Your Position

1. **Select an Asset** (for multi-outcome markets): Choose which outcome you want to trade
2. **Choose a Side**:
   * Click **"YES"** if you think the event will happen
   * Click **"NO"** if you think it won't

### Step 3: Set Your Order

1. **Enter Price**: The price per share you're willing to pay (0–100)
   * Current market price is shown for reference
   * You can set a limit price (may not fill immediately, but gives you a better deal)
   * Or use the current market price (fills immediately)

2. **Enter Quantity**: How many shares you want to buy
   * Total cost is shown: Price × Quantity
   * Example: Price 75 × 100 shares = 7,500¢ (75 PT)

3. **Review**: Check total cost and verify your available balance is sufficient

### Step 4: Confirm and Place Order

1. Click **"Place Order"**
2. Review the confirmation dialog — order details, total cost, remaining balance
3. Click **"Confirm"**
4. Your order enters the order book

## Order Matching

### How Orders Match

* **Immediate Match**: If a matching sell order exists at your price, the trade executes instantly
* **Order Book**: If no match exists, your order waits in the order book
* **Partial Fills**: Your order may fill partially over time as matching orders arrive
* **Full Fill**: Your entire order has been matched

### Order Status

* **OPEN**: Order placed, waiting to be matched
* **PARTIAL**: Partially filled, remaining shares still waiting
* **FILLED**: Completely filled — trade complete
* **CANCELLED**: Order cancelled, funds returned to available balance

## Selling Shares

### Step 1: View Your Holdings

1. Go to the market detail page
2. Scroll to **"Your Holdings"** section
3. See all shares you own for this market

### Step 2: Place a Sell Order

1. Click **"Sell"** next to the shares you want to sell
2. Enter quantity to sell
3. Set your sell price:
   * **Higher price**: More profit if filled, but may wait longer
   * **Market price**: Fills immediately at current price

### Step 3: Confirm

1. Review the details: shares to sell, price, and estimated proceeds
2. Click **"Confirm"**
3. Your sell order enters the order book

## Cancelling Orders

1. Click **"Orders"** in the sidebar
2. Find your open order
3. Click **"Cancel"** in the Actions column
4. Funds are immediately returned to your available balance

<Tip>
  You can only cancel orders that haven't filled yet. Once filled, trades are final.
</Tip>

## Understanding Order Costs

### Cost Calculation

**Formula**: Price × Quantity = Total Cost

**Example**:

* Price: 75
* Quantity: 100 shares
* Total Cost: 75 × 100 = 7,500¢

### Balance Check

Before placing an order, the system checks your available balance. If insufficient, you'll be prompted to fund your account. Your suspense balance shows funds reserved for existing open orders.

## Common Trading Scenarios

### Quick Trade

You want to get into a position immediately:

1. Navigate to the market
2. Choose YES or NO
3. Use the current market price
4. Enter quantity
5. Confirm and trade

### Patient Trade

You want a better price:

1. Navigate to the market
2. Choose YES or NO
3. Set a limit price below the current market
4. Wait for your order to fill
5. Cancel if the price moves away from your target

### Taking Profit

You have a winning position and want to lock it in:

1. View your holdings on the market page or portfolio
2. Click "Sell" on your profitable position
3. Use market price for immediate execution
4. Confirm — profit is realised and returned to your available balance

## Next Steps

<CardGroup cols={2}>
  <Card title="Order Types" icon="list-check" href="/user-guide/order-types">
    Learn about limit orders, market orders, and when to use each.
  </Card>

  <Card title="Trading Strategies" icon="lightbulb" href="/user-guide/trading-strategies">
    Advanced techniques and best practices.
  </Card>

  <Card title="View Your Portfolio" icon="briefcase" href="/user-guide/portfolio-overview">
    Track your positions and performance.
  </Card>
</CardGroup>