1. You can lose your stake
When you enter a 1v1 match or tournament, your stake is locked in escrow. If your opponent finishes with a higher P&L at the buzzer, your stake — minus our 4% house rake on the pool — goes to them. There is no insurance, no “risk-free trial,” and no minimum payout.
2. Past performance is not future performance
A trader with a 78% all-time win rate can lose their next 10 matches. ELO ratings and leaderboard standings describe past behavior — they are not a prediction of future results and not a substitute for your own judgment.
3. Markets are volatile
Forex, crypto, commodities, and indices can move violently in seconds — especially around economic releases. We do not delay or filter market data. A position that looked safe at 14:29 can be underwater at 14:30:01.
4. Sprint windows are extremely high-variance
5-minute Sprint matches reward execution speed and pattern recognition under tight time pressure. They also produce wider P&L swings per dollar staked than longer windows. If you're new to 01LOT, start with Standard (30m) or Marathon (4h).
5. Compulsive trading is a real risk
The arena format is engaging by design. If you're chasing losses, increasing stakes after a bad week, or feeling out of control — stop, and reach out:
- In-product cooling-off (
Settings → Limits → Pause): instant, 7 / 30 / 90 days. - Self-exclusion: permanent or up to 5 years. Cannot be reversed.
- BeGambleAware (UK), NCPG (US): independent help, 24/7.
6. Tax
Winnings are taxable in most jurisdictions. We report to relevant authorities where required and provide you with an annual statement (in your dashboard, by January 31 each year). Whether you owe tax on a specific match or a season's worth depends on where you live and how the tax authority treats skill-based trading — talk to a qualified accountant.
7. We are not your broker, advisor, or fiduciary
01LOT is a venue for skill-based trading matches, not investment advice. Nothing on this site is a recommendation to buy or sell a particular instrument. You alone are responsible for the decisions you make inside a match.
8. Bottom line
Only stake what you can comfortably lose. Tune your match sizes to a fixed percentage of your bankroll. Walk away when you're tilted. The arena will still be here tomorrow.