What Should a Beginner Trader Learn First?
9/21/2025
What Should a Beginner Trader Learn First?
When I first got into trading, I made the same mistake everyone makes: I started with the exciting stuff.
Technical indicators. Chart patterns. Options strategies. I wanted to know the “secrets” that would make me money.
Looking back, that was completely backwards.
It’s like trying to learn basketball by practicing fancy behind-the-back dribbles before you can make a layup. Or learning to cook by attempting beef wellington when you don’t even know how to properly chop an onion.
After three years of trading (and plenty of expensive mistakes), here’s what I wish someone had told me to learn first.
Start With the Boring Stuff (Seriously)
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I’ve been beta testing RankTrader, a competitive paper trading platform that’s great for beginners. Practice with your first strategy, compete against others, and learn the fundamentals through competition instead of costly mistakes. Worth checking out when they launch.