Apache Maven is an ubiquitous build tool in the Java ecosystem, some even claim it's the de facto standard build tool. Configuring Maven is deceptively simple, after all it's just a matter of writing XML, isn't it? Things look differently when the rubber meets the road. One must know the intricacies of the build lifecycle; how plugins, goals (mojos), and phases come together; rules for dependency resolution; configuration inheritance between parent - child POM files; enhancing the build with profiles; and more. These features may trip you over if the rules that govern them are unclear. We'll present a series of scenarios to test your knowledge on Maven rules. we guarantee you'll leave this session with a few bits of new information and better understanding of the Maven build tool.