The Short Report

Editor's note: Shorting stocks is a gut-wrenching, terrifying, frequently brutal and occasionally blissful business. It's also a topic that TSC readers can't seem to get enough of. Last week, James J. Cramer attempted to slake readers' thirst for knowledge about the subject, starting with two pieces on his firm's attempt to short a group of Linux-related names, followed by a shorting primer, an admonition about the dangers of playing short squeezes and finishing with a two-part primer on puts. The Short Report puts these pieces together in one place for easier digestion and enjoyment. Read on -- and good luck!

It Isn't Easy Getting Short
The trader tells what happened when he tried to short some Linux-related stocks.

More on Getting Shorty
The trader responds to readers who told him he should have bought puts on those Linux-related stocks.

A Shorting Primer
The trader walks readers through the process of betting against stocks.

Short Squeezes Have No Appeal
Not to JJC anyway. The trader tells why he thinks playing a squeeze is just too risky.

Smarter Money: A Puts Primer: Part 1
The trader speaks plainly about a confusing financial instrument.

Smarter Money: A Puts Primer: Part 2
The trader speaks plainly about a confusing financial instrument.