Street Smarts by Larry Connors and Linda Bradford Raschke

Street Smarts is a no-nonsense book that provides specific trading setups and strategies designed for the short-term trader. The authors, Larry Connors and Linda Bradford Raschke, are two very recognizable figures in the futures trading industry and they each have decades of trading experience. At first, you may feel overwhelmed by the number of strategies detailed in the book, but all you need to do is focus on a couple strategies that fit your trading style.

Raschke and Connors cover more than a dozen trading strategies in Street Smarts as well as a question and answer section following each strategy to better explain it. The strategies are not overly complicated, but they are unique if you are fairly new to the game.

The trading strategies are the main focus of the book, but the authors like to cover the whole spectrum of trading. You will find numerous additional trading tips throughout the book that focus on what it takes to be successful in trading. Good trading strategies are only part of the game. You also have to practice solid money management and control your losses.

I believe Raschke mentions that trading is a game of holding your ground throughout the month and you will have a couple of trades that turn into a windfall. That is where you will get the majority of your profits. The key is to not take big losses.

The trading strategies are explained in a very easy-to-understand format in each chapter. It is recommended by the authors that you pick one or a couple of trading strategies that you are comfortable with. From there, you need to research and test the strategies through paper trading until you feel comfortable to begin trading with real money.

It only takes one good trading strategy to become a successful trader. Do not try to force trades. You have to wait for your particular setup and let the probabilities take their course. Using stop losses on every trade is thoroughly stressed in Street Smarts.

Street Smarts: High Probability Short Term Trading Strategies is an excellent book to learn short-term and day trading strategies. It is important to understand that this book is not just a list of trading strategies, but it is also a guide on how to trade successfully.