TRADING SMART - 92 Tools, Methods and Helpful Hints to Help You Succeed at Futures Trading

Oct 14, 2026

TRADING SMART introduces 92 practical tools, methods, and helpful hints aimed at improving performance in futures trading. The book explains futures trading philosophies and step-by-step methodologies in plain language, emphasizing that success depends on hard work and preparation rather than shortcuts. It highlights how simple strategies and well-researched trading plans outperform overly complex tools, while also covering key concepts such as volume, open interest, support and resistance, losing streak management, and order and entry/exit approaches.

LanguageEnglish

CategoryPresentations

FormatPDF

Pages209

Reading Time1 h 13 min

AccessFree to download

Table of Contents

Before You Make a Trade: 10 Critical Questions

Volume and Open Interest: How to Use it to Trade More Effectively

How to Handle a Losing Streak (Everyone has Them)

Contrary Opinion: Making it Work for You

What Are The "Big Boys" Up To? How use the Commitment of Traders Report in your Trading

Support and Resistance – All-Important Levels on the Charts You MUST Identify!

Understanding Those Big, Bad Commodity Funds

“Collapse in Volatility” Portends a Bigger Price Move

Using the “ADM” Method to Deal with Losing Trades

“Pyramiding” – When and When Not to Do it

“Follow-Through” – its Significance for Your Market Position

"Cash Basis" --How it Works

An Introduction to an Exciting Market—FOREX

“ OK, Maybe I Should Just Do the Opposite”

Making the Momentum Indicator Work for You

Using Joe Granville’s “On Balance Volume”(OBV) to Your Trading Advantage

Eight Short-term Technical Tools that can Make You Money

Technical Traders – Don’t Ignore the Fundamentals – PLEASE!

Selling Options: The Real Story

Why, When, and How to Buy Options on Futures

A Realistic Look at Futures Trading

When To Quit Your Day Job

Employing Protective Stops to Manage Your Trades

The “Andrews Pitchfork” Trend Lines Indicator: A Cool Secondary Tool

A Short Primer on Welles Wilder’s “True Range” and “Average True Range”

The K-Wave: A Cycle Worth Examining

Don't Hold Your Breath Too Long While Under Water

Entry and Exit Strategies for Maximum Profitability

Jim Wyckoff: One of my Favorite "Trading Setups"

Fear and Greed: Two Strong Emotions to Manage in a Grain Weather Market

Those Fascinating Fibonacci Numbers and the Golden Ratio

Identifying Overbought and Oversold Markets using The Keltner Channel

Identifying Market "Noise"

Futures Trading: The Ultimate "Head Game"

11 Fascinating Market Correlations You'll Want to Use

13 Different Market Orders and When to Use Each

The Single Most Important Aspect of Futures Trading

"Why Economists don't Make Good Traders" and a Few Nuggets

The Basic Principles of "Swing Trading"

"System Trading:" What Is It? Should you Buy and Use a Trading System?

TRADING SMART 92 Tools, Methods and Helpful Hints to Help You Succeed at Futures Trading 􀌛 by Jim Wyckoff This publication is protected by International Copyright © 2003. All rights reserved. Reproduction in any form, electronic or mechanical, in whole or in part, is strictly prohibited without written permission from Jim Wyckoff. Hello, my name is Jim Wyckoff. I am the proprietor of the analytical, educational and trading advisory service, "Jim Wyckoff on the Markets. " I am also the chief technical analyst for [FutureSource.com](FutureSource.com) and for the OsterDowJones newswire. I was also the head equities analyst at [CapitalistEdge.com. For nearly 20 years](CapitalistEdge.com. For nearly 20 years) I have been immersed in markets and trading. Indeed, markets, trading and educating traders are my passion. In this information-packed book, I will share with you—in plain English—the trading philosophies and methodologies that have allowed me to survive and succeed in a fascinating but very challenging field of endeavor: Trading futures. I will also touch upon other important topics about which traders need to know in order to survive and succeed in futures trading. I think you will enjoy the format of this book: short chapters that are easily comprehended. Too many times in this industry, books on trading have been so technical and complicated that traders find themselves swimming in a sea of market statistics, computer code or mathematical formulas. You will find none of that in this book. What you will find are important lessons and anecdotes that will move you up the ladder of trading success. You will also discover valuable trading tools that you can incorporate into your own trading plan ofaction. Following are two of my most important trading tenets: ¾ Like success at any other job, successful futures trading requires hard work. There are no short-cuts. This is not a “qet-rich-quick” business. ¾ Simple trading strategies work the best. I have read the classic technical analysis books and talked face to face with the best trading professionals in the world. Most agree that, as my friend Stewart Taylor says,“Simple is Simply Better” when it comes to employing successful trading strategies. All the neural networks and powerful computers in the world won’t compare to a good, basic and well-researched trading plan. Don’t confuse simple strategies with easy trading. Simple trading methodologies still require a lot of preparation and work. Jim Wyckoff’s Background I am into my third decade of involvement with the stock, financial and commodity futures markets. I was a financial journalist with FWN (now called OsterDowJones) for many years, including stints as a reporter on the rough-and-tumble commodity futures trading floors in 2 Chicago, New York and abroad. I covered every futures market traded in the U.S.—and some that traded overseas—at one time or another. I was born and raised in Iowa, where I now reside. I have a wonderful wife and two great children. I work very hard on the job, but also play hard after work, as I love adventures. From driving a Jeep across the highest mountain pass in the continental U.S., to extreme winter camping in the Boundary Waters, to hiking in the jungles of South America, I’m always up for anew challenge. I know you will enjoy my book. Jim Wyckoff ([jim@jimwyckoff.com](jim@jimwyckoff.com)) Tele: 1-319-277-8643 [Website: www.jimwyckoff.com](Website: www.jimwyckoff.com) 3 Table of Contents 1. Before You Make a Trade: 10 Critical Questions 8 2. Volume and Open Interest: How to Use it to Trade More Effectively 11 3. How to Handle a Losing Streak (Everyone has Them) 13 4. Contrary Opinion: Making it Work for You 15 5. What Are The "Big Boys" Up To? How use the Commitment of Traders 17 Report in your Trading 6. Support and Resistance – All-Important Levels on the Charts You MUST 19 Identify! 7. Understanding Those Big, Bad Commodity Funds

FAQs

What does the book say is required for successful futures trading?

Successful futures trading requires hard work with no shortcuts. The book stresses preparation and a disciplined approach rather than quick, easy methods.

Why does the book emphasize simple trading strategies?

The book argues that simple, well-researched strategies tend to work best. It notes that even advanced tools like computers and neural networks can’t replace a solid trading plan.

Which key topics does the book include for trading decision-making?

It covers concepts such as volume and open interest, support and resistance levels, handling losing streaks, and techniques for entry/exit and protective stops. It also includes tools related to volatility, momentum, and options on futures.

Oct 14, 2026

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