If you’re a beginner trader and your head is spinning from all the advice out there — indicators, oscillators, Fibonacci retracements, RSI divergences, candle patterns that look like ancient hieroglyphs — take a breath.
Let me let you in on a little secret:
Trading doesn’t have to be complicated.
In fact, one of the best things a beginner can do is keep it simple. The fancy strategies might look impressive on YouTube, but simple trading strategies for beginners are where real progress starts.
I learned this the hard way (more on that in a second), but trust me — if you stop overthinking and stick to what actually works, you’ll have a much smoother and more successful trading journey.
Why Simplicity Wins in Trading
Before we dive into the actual strategy, let’s talk about why simplicity matters, especially when you’re just starting out.
Trading Is Mostly Mental
Complicated strategies = more stress = more mistakes.
A simple setup is easier to:
Understand
Stick to
Execute under pressure
Personal story: My first “strategy” was basically using five indicators at once — RSI, MACD, Bollinger Bands, two EMAs, and some support/resistance levels I drew myself. The result? Total confusion. I’d get a “buy” signal from one and a “sell” from another. I froze constantly, second-guessed every move, and ended up quitting trades too early (or too late). Once I simplified, I actually started to win consistently.
The One Simple Trading Strategy That Actually Works
Let’s get to the good stuff. This is one of the most beginner-friendly strategies out there — it’s clean, logical, and easy to follow.
The 2 Moving Averages Strategy (aka “The Crossover Strategy”)
This strategy uses just two moving averages:
A short-term moving average (like the 9-period EMA)
A long-term moving average (like the 21-period EMA)
Here’s how it works:
Buy Signal: When the 9 EMA crosses above the 21 EMA
Sell Signal: When the 9 EMA crosses below the 21 EMA
That’s it. Seriously.
No rocket science. Just wait for the crossover and trade in that direction.
Why It Works for Beginners
- Visual: You can clearly see the cross on the chart
- Simple rules: No over-analysis or conflicting indicators
- Trend-following: You’re trading in the direction of momentum
- Scalable: Works on any timeframe — 15-minute, 1-hour, or daily
I used this exact setup on a demo account for two months. Once I got consistent, I went live with small amounts. My first real profit came from a trade using this strategy on the EUR/USD pair — I made $38. Not life-changing money, but it felt like it. More importantly, it proved that simple can work.
How to Set It Up (Step-by-Step)
Step 1: Pick a Charting Platform
Use something beginner-friendly like:
TradingView
MetaTrader 4/5
ThinkorSwim
(Most offer free demo accounts.)
Step 2: Add Indicators
Add 9 EMA (Exponential Moving Average)
Add 21 EMA
Color them differently so you can see when they cross.
Step 3: Choose a Timeframe
Start with the 1-hour chart or 4-hour chart. These timeframes are slower and give clearer signals than noisy 1-minute charts.
Step 4: Wait for the Cross
If 9 EMA crosses above 21 EMA → consider going long (buy)
If 9 EMA crosses below 21 EMA → consider going short (sell)
Optional: Add a stop-loss below the most recent swing low (or high, if selling) to protect your account.
Tips to Make This Strategy Even Better
1. Wait for the Candle to Close
Don’t jump in the second the lines touch. Wait for the candle to close after the cross — this avoids fakeouts.
2. Use Risk Management
No strategy works 100% of the time. Only risk 1–2% of your account on any trade. Use proper stop-losses and take-profit levels.
3. Backtest Before You Go Live
Use a demo account to test the strategy. See how it performs on different assets and timeframes. Gain confidence before you risk real money.
Optional Bonus: Add Support and Resistance
If you want to level up just a bit, add simple support and resistance lines to your chart.
Don’t buy right into resistance
Don’t sell right into support
This small tweak can help filter out bad entries and increase win rates — without making things too complex.
What to Avoid (AKA Mistakes I Made So You Don’t Have To)
Overcomplicating
Don’t slap five indicators onto your chart “just in case.” One or two is plenty.
Trading Every Signal
Not every crossover is worth taking. If the market is choppy and sideways, sit it out. The best setups happen in trending markets.
Moving Too Fast
Don’t expect this strategy (or any) to make you rich overnight. Focus on consistency, not speed.
I remember getting impatient and bumping up my lot size way too fast. One bad trade erased weeks of gains. Lesson learned: stick to the plan and grow slow.
Final Thoughts: Simplicity Scales
The best part about this strategy — and others like it — is that it grows with you.
As you get more experience, you can:
Switch timeframes
Add confirmation tools
Combine with other setups
But at the start, simple trading strategies for beginners like this one give you structure, clarity, and confidence — three things you desperately need when everything else feels chaotic.
So don’t overthink it.
Start with this strategy.
Test it.
Get comfortable.
Then grow from there.
The traders who last aren’t the ones chasing hype or overloading their charts. They’re the ones who find what works — and stick with it.
Next Article To Read: 10 Charts That Every New Investor Must Understand