The beginner's guide

Never done this?
Start here.

Backd lets you call what you think will happen: a match, Bitcoin, the charts, the news. Here's the whole thing in plain words. It takes about four minutes.

No jargonNo crypto needed18+ only
01 · The basics

What's a prediction market?

It's a question with a Yes and a No. People back the side they think is right, and the price moves as they do. That price tells you two things: how likely it is, and what you could win.

58%

The % is the crowd's chance

58% means people reckon it happens about 58 times in 100. It moves every time someone backs a side, so it's always the latest view.

$10 wins $17.24

What you could win

At 58%, if you're right you get $17.24 back: your $10 plus $7.24. The less likely it is, the more you win. At 34%, $10 wins $29.41. Same maths on every market: $10 ÷ the chance.

−$10

If you're wrong, you lose $10

Never more than you put in. Every screen shows both lines before you tap: what you could win, and what you could lose.

02 · A worked example

One real market, right now.

This is a live market on Backd. The numbers below are today's.

THE QUESTIONDota 2: 1win vs Natus Vincere - Game 2 Winner
51%chance of 1win
IF 1WIN HAPPENS$10 wins $19.80Your $10 back plus $9.80.
IF IT DOESN'TYou lose $10That's it. Never more than you put in.
OR THE OTHER SIDENatus Vincere 50%$10 on Natus Vincere wins $20.20.
Open this market →
03 · Your record

Calls are free.
They build your record.

You don't need any money to use Backd. A call is your pick, saved at the live price at that moment and scored as if you'd put $10 on it.

Saved at the live price

We record the price on our server the moment you call it. You can't pick a better price after the fact, and neither can anyone else.

Scored the same for everyone

Your record shows how often you're right, what you'd be up or down on $10 a call, and your XP. Wins and losses both stay on it.

A receipt for every call

When a market settles you get a receipt you can share: what you called, at what price, and how it went.

04 · Real money

Backing it on Polymarket, where it's allowed.

Backd never takes or holds your money. The prices on Backd come from Polymarket. If you want real money behind a call, and Polymarket allows it where you live, we link you to the same market on polymarket.com. You use your own Polymarket account there.

More providers are coming. When they do, we'll show you the best price across them.

Plainly: Polymarket doesn't let people in the UK, the US, France, Germany, Australia and a number of other countries open new positions, and Spain's regulator has blocked it there. If you're in one of those places, Backd is free calls only. We won't show you ways around it, and you shouldn't look for them.
Where you are (US): Backing markets on Polymarket is switched off on Backd for now. Free calls work everywhere and still build your record.
05 · The social bit

Better with your people.

Bookies make you bet alone. Backd is built around seeing what your friends and the best callers think.

Follow people

Follow friends and callers with good records. Their calls show up in your Friends feed, next to the markets they're on.

Copy or fade

Copy puts you on the same side at today's price. Fade puts you on the other side. Either way it's your call on your record.

Crews

A crew is your group: a private chat, a shared table, and bragging rights. Share an invite link to bring your mates in.

Daily 5

Five quick picks every day, free. Get them right to earn XP and keep your streak going.

Leaderboards

Ranked on settled calls only. Nobody can buy their way up or delete a bad week.

Who sees your picks

You choose: everyone, friends only, or just you. Change it any time in settings.

06 · Staying in control

Fun first. Always.

Backd is free, but it's still about predicting outcomes. Here's how to keep it fun.

Adults only

You need to be 18 or over to use Backd. You confirm it when you sign up.

If you back it elsewhere

Only ever put in what you can afford to lose. Set deposit and spend limits with any provider you use, and take breaks.

If it stops being fun

Step away. Free, confidential support is available from BeGambleAware and GamCare.

07 · Questions

The things people ask.

Is Backd free?

Yes. Calls are free. Backd doesn't take deposits or hold money.

Do I need to know anything about crypto?

No. Everything is in plain money and percentages.

What's the most I can lose?

On Backd, nothing: calls are free. The "$10" is how every call is scored. If you back something on Polymarket, you can lose what you put in, never more.

Who decides if I was right?

Every market settles on the rule written on the market, using the official result. Polymarket settles it and we update your record when it does.

Can I change my mind?

A call stays on your record once it's made. That's what makes records honest. You can always make a new call on the other side.

Why can't I back markets from the UK?

Polymarket doesn't allow new positions from the UK, the US and some other countries. You can still make free calls and build your record.

Got it?
Make your first call.

Free, no card, no crypto. Your record starts with your first call.