5 Books Every Spread Bettor Should Read

Starting in spread betting can be a daunting task for newcomers. The right guidance is key to success in this complex field. This article highlights the top five books essential for every aspiring spread bettor. 

These carefully selected resources offer clear, expert advice and practical strategies, helping you build a solid foundation in spread betting. Ideal for beginners or those looking to refine their skills, these books are indispensable tools for your trading journey.

Why must someone read a book on trading?

Reading a book on trading is vital for anyone looking to succeed in the financial markets.

1. Foundation knowledge: Books provide comprehensive knowledge about trading. They cover basics to advanced concepts, giving you a solid grounding.
2. Strategies and techniques: Authors often share proven strategies and techniques. Learning from experienced traders can improve your skills and decision-making.
3. Risk management: Understanding and managing risk is critical in trading. Books can teach effective ways to minimize and handle risks.
4. Market insights: Trading books often include insights about market behavior and trends. This information is invaluable for making informed decisions.
5. Personal growth: Reading helps develop patience and discipline, qualities crucial for successful trading.
6. Avoiding common mistakes: Learning from others' mistakes, as documented in books, can prevent costly errors in your trading journey
7. Psychological Insights: Trading is as much about psychology as it is about strategy. Books can offer insights into the psychological aspects of trading, helping you to understand and manage your emotions, such as fear and greed.
8. Diverse perspectives: By reading various books, you gain access to different viewpoints and strategies, allowing you to develop a well-rounded approach to trading.
9. Regulatory knowledge: Understanding the regulatory environment is critical. Some books provide insight into legal considerations and compliance, which is essential for trading within the boundaries of the law.
10. Accessibility and convenience: Books, especially digital ones, offer an accessible and convenient way to learn about trading. You can study at your own pace and revisit complex topics as needed.

5 Books on spread betting you should start reading now

1. Malcolm Pryor: The financial spread betting handbook: A definitive guide to making money trading spread bets

The book serves as a vital resource for both newcomers and veteran-spread bettors. Pryor likens learning spread betting to climbing a mountain, emphasizing the need for a disciplined approach. 

Malcom begins the book with foundational aspects like setting up the right tools and understanding market choices, crucial for beginners.

It then explores various betting strategies, including trend following and delta-neutral tactics, essential for advancing in the field. The final sections focus on differentiating successful strategies from unsuccessful ones, covering advanced topics like trade planning and risk management. 

In its second edition, the book includes updated techniques and insights into market changes, making it an indispensable guide for anyone serious about mastering spread betting.

2. Geoff Harvey: Successful Spread Betting: Completely Independent                                                                            

Completely Independent book offers an in-depth exploration of spread betting, a rapidly growing and exciting method of financial speculation appealing to a wide audience, including stock market investors.

This book delves into spread betting markets with unparalleled detail, guiding readers through various strategies and insights. Harvey teaches how to spot valuable betting opportunities, exploit arbitrage prospects, manage accounts with proficiency, and understand the psychological dynamics of betting. 

Additionally, he provides expert analysis techniques for spread betting markets, making it a comprehensive guide for both novices and experienced bettors seeking to enhance their skills.

3. Robbie Burns: The Naked Trader’s guide to spread betting: A guide to making money from shares in up or down markets

The Naked Trader’s Guide by Robbie Burns simplifies spread betting for beginners. Written in an accessible style, it addresses common misconceptions, demonstrating that spread betting isn't just for the elite but can be a lucrative venture for anyone.

Burns, an esteemed trader and author shares his extensive experience and insights, explaining how to profit in both rising and falling markets. The book covers the essentials, from understanding the basics to mastering risk management and advanced strategies.

It also includes visits to leading spread betting firms, offering a unique industry perspective. Burns combines humor with practical advice, drawing from personal experiences and cautionary tales to help readers avoid common pitfalls. 

Studying this book is both an informative and entertaining journey into the world of spread betting.

4. Zak Mir: ADVFN Guide: 101 charts for trading success

A pivotal read in the field of spread betting, the book showcases expertise in financial chart analysis, essential for traders and investors.

With over two decades of experience in providing analysis for brokers, fund managers, and various media platforms, Mir brings a wealth of knowledge to this guide. 

The book emphasizes the critical role of charts in spread betting, linking them directly to the success of short-term trading. Mir illustrates how successful market timing, a cornerstone of short-term trading, hinges on technical analysis, and how, in turn, technical analysis is deeply rooted in the understanding and interpretation of charts. 

Reading this book is essential for anyone looking to grasp the intricate relationship between chart analysis and effective spread betting strategies."

5. Harriman House and Craig Pearce: The Harriman book of spread betting rules: 140 expert tips from top traders

Harriman and Craig wrote a comprehensive book featuring 140 expert tips from leading traders in the financial markets.

Such a book is an invaluable resource for both beginners and seasoned spread bettors, collating a wealth of tips from a diverse group of experts, including bestselling authors, education specialists, and technical analysts.

These professionals share their insights, offering ten key pieces of advice essential for enhancing profitability in spread betting. Interestingly, while some advice converges, other suggestions diverge, highlighting the diversity of successful strategies in this field.

The book emphasizes that there is no one-size-fits-all approach to spread betting; instead, it encourages readers to study these rules and adapt them to create their personalized strategy.

For aspiring traders eager to mirror the achievements of established market players, this publication provides an essential foundation, offering a pathway to crafting a distinct and effective market strategy.

Wrapping up

Embarking on a journey through the best spread betting books is a crucial step for aspiring traders. Reading about trading offers vital insights into strategies, market psychology, and the dynamics of financial markets. 

The books recommended in this article provide a wealth of knowledge for both novices and experienced traders, offering unique perspectives and expert advice.

To further enhance your trading skills, consider the benefits of a tax-efficient markets.com spread betting account. 

These books are designed to aid your growth in the financial markets, guiding you toward becoming a successful spread bettor.

“When considering “CFDs and Spread Betting” for trading and price predictions, remember that trading CFDs and Spread Betting involves a significant degree of risk and could result in capital loss. Past performance is not indicative of any future results. This information is provided for informative purposes only and should not be considered investment advice.”