A 28-page beginner course on how day trading actually works: exchanges, bid, ask, and spread, cash vs margin accounts, T+1 settlement and good faith violations, the old $25k pattern day trader rule and FINRA’s 2026 intraday margin replacement, every common order type, hidden costs, tax basics like wash sales, and a 30-day paper trading plan. Includes a 4-page checklist. Risk note: most day traders lose money; education only, not financial advice.