How to Set a Stop-Loss on Polymarket

Polymarket doesn't support native stop-loss orders — the platform only has limit and market orders. That's a big risk control gap if you're running positions overnight or during high-vol events. The workaround is to use a bot platform like PredictEngine that monitors your positions and auto-sells when a price threshold breaks. This guide shows you exactly how.

Step-by-Step

  1. 1

    Identify the position you want to protect

    In PredictEngine's positions view, select the position. Note current entry price and current market price — these define your stop levels.

  2. 2

    Open the risk controls panel

    Click the position's ⚙ menu → Risk controls → Stop-loss / Take-profit. You'll see fields for stop price (sell if below) and target price (sell if above).

  3. 3

    Set your stop and target prices

    A common rule is 1.5x risk-reward: if you bought at 40¢ and target 60¢, set stop at ~33¢ (loses 7¢, wins 20¢). Adjust for your strategy's edge. Tighter stops trigger more often; wider stops survive normal volatility.

  4. 4

    Choose execution type

    Limit (places sell order at stop, may not fill in fast moves) or market-aggressive (crosses the spread to guarantee exit). For high-vol events use market-aggressive. For quiet markets, limit saves you spread cost.

  5. 5

    Enable and verify

    Toggle the rule on and confirm. PredictEngine's scanner checks your position every 5 seconds and fires the sell order the moment your stop level is breached.

Skip the manual work

PredictEngine automates this entire flow. Free plan, no credit card.

Try PredictEngine free →

Further Reading

Frequently Asked Questions

Why doesn't Polymarket have native stop-loss?

Polymarket's CLOB only supports passive limit orders and immediate-or-cancel market orders. Conditional/triggered orders require off-platform monitoring, which is what PredictEngine provides.

What happens if the price gaps past my stop?

With a limit-type stop, your sell sits at the trigger price and may not fill if the market gaps lower. With market-aggressive type, the bot crosses the spread to guarantee exit (at the cost of slippage).

Can I set both stop-loss and take-profit on the same position?

Yes — PredictEngine's risk controls treat them as paired rules. The first one triggered wins, the other auto-cancels.

Does stop-loss work on Polymarket's short-timeframe crypto markets?

Yes, with caveats. The 5-second monitoring frequency means very fast moves (3-5 seconds) might trigger the stop after the bottom. For sub-5-second protection, use market-aggressive exit type.