The forex market is a super-competitive, fast-moving market that will eat you alive if you aren’t careful. Bid-ask spreads for many currency pairs are in the hundredths of a cent, so even minor trading errors can be quite costly when aggregated. These tips will help you avoid common pitfalls when trading on the Forex market.

When trading with a broker, it is important that you choose an account package that fits your expectations, as well as, your knowledge level. Meeting with your broker and deciding what is the best move can be tricky, so always go with the lowest leverage when just starting out.

Buy some forex books from reputable authors or sign up for some classes with a professional forex trader to learn about technical analysis. Technical analysis involves analyzing charts of market action in order to forecast future price trends. Understanding and using technically analysis can dramatically increase your profits in the forex market, but remember that global events can also influence price trends.

If you come across a currency you know nothing about, for instance if you cannot locate the related country on a map, you should probably stay away from it. Learn as much as possible about the current situation in this country and about the general trends of this currency before you think about investing.

Trade when the markets are closed, if possible. This eliminates all emotional urges and makes you focus on your plan and your overall Forex goals. If you trade when the markets are closed you can base your decisions on facts and probabilities instead of focusing on what others are doing.

One of the reasons that forex trading disappoints so many dabblers, is that they enter the market with false expectations of easy money. The problem is, that forex is like any other trading system: The easy money was driven out long ago by dedicated professionals ready to capitalize on the smallest advantages. To make money at forex, a new trader has to be equally dedicated and ready to put in some hard work.

Short-term trading on the forex markets is not the best place for neophytes to start. Profit margins on the fastest trades are razor-thin. Making short-term positions pay requires lots of leverage, which in turn means lots of risk. New forex traders should stay away from the fast action that can wipe out an account in mere hours.

Just like gambling, Forex trading can turn into a dangerous addiction, one that can cause negative consequences. If you feel like you are addicted to Forex trading, you may want to wean yourself off of it. Getting addicted to it could cost you money that you cannot afford to lose.

Trading on the forex market without doing a lot of research and staying current on market trends is like riding a motorcycle without a helmet. Put the tips from this article into use as part of a larger plan, and watch as your trades beat the market over and over again.