Book is just one simple word, right? But have you ever heard people in Forex say something like,
“The broker is running a B-Book,”
or
“This is an A-Book broker”
And you just nodded like you understood, but deep down, you were lost? You’re not alone.
Forex has its own language, and if you’re new to it, words like book can feel confusing, even scary.
But what if I told you that understanding this one word, book, can help you know how your broker handles your trades, whether they trade against you, and even if you’re likely to make a profit or not?
In This Post
What is a “book” in Forex?
In Forex, “book” simply means a record or list of trades. Think of it like a notebook where your broker writes down every trade you or other traders make.
But wait, there’s more to it.
In Forex, when people say “book,” they’re usually talking about how a broker manages your trades.
There are two main types: A-Book and B-Book.
A-Book: The Honest Way
When a broker uses an A-Book, it means your trades are passed directly to the big market, also called liquidity providers.
In simple words, your broker connects you to real buyers and sellers in the world.
If you win, they’re happy.
And if you lose, they’re still okay.
Why? Because they don’t make money from your loss. They make money from small fees called spreads or commissions.
This is a fair and transparent way.
B-Book: The Risky Way
Now let’s talk about B-Book. This is when your broker doesn’t send your trades to the market. Instead, they keep your trades in-house.
Let’s explain that simply:
If you buy, they sell.
And if you sell, they buy.
So guess what?
If you lose, they win.
And if you win, they lose.
See the problem?
Some brokers use this method because they think new traders will lose, and they make money from those losses. It’s legal, but it’s not always in your best interest.
Why Does This Matter?
Knowing if your broker is using an A-Book or B-Book method helps you:
- Understand how they profit
- Know if there’s a conflict of interest
- Make smarter choices when picking a broker
Some brokers even use both. That’s called the hybrid model; they use A-Book for smart or successful traders and B-Book for beginners.
Conclusion
Forex isn’t just about charts and candles, it’s also about knowing how the game works behind the scenes.
And that’s what this Forex Glossary is all about, helping you understand tricky words like Book, so nobody can confuse you again.
So next time you hear
“They’re a B-Book broker,”
You won’t be lost. You’ll smile, nod, and actually know what it means.