Cramer's 'Mad Money' Recap: How to Get the Most Out of the Show

The substance of the Lightning Round is mostly about sectors, Cramer said. When someone calls in about a stock and he doesn't like it, most of the time it's because Cramer doesn't like the sector.

This should be the important takeaway for viewers. Other times, when Cramer says he likes a stock, usually it's because he likes the sector, and he'll still tell the caller to swap into "some other stock I prefer in the sector, something that's closer to best of breed," he said.

"The Lightning Round is a valuable money-making resource, so long as you approach it from the perspective of Cramer analyzing sectors" and not Cramer telling you to buy something with no rhyme or reason, he said. "Trust me there's always a method to my madness."

Also, Cramer said viewers should expect that he will change his mind often. "If you're going to get the most out of "Mad Money," you have to understand that the market is dynamic, things are constantly changing and my opinions will change, too," he said.

"You can't rely on five hours of television a week to tell you exactly what you should buy, exactly when you should buy it and then exactly when to sell."

After a certain point, people are on their own, which is why he constantly emphasizes homework. "You must do an hour of homework per week per stock on your own," Cramer said.

"I don't say that because I want to reduce my liability. I say it because if you do homework, you'll probably make a whole lot more money."

---

Want more Cramer? Check out Jim's rules and commandments for investing from his popular book by clicking here.

Pop Quiz! Are you a loyal "Mad Money" viewer? Take TheStreet.com's latest "Mad Money" culture quiz to see how much of the show you caught last week or just to immerse yourself in Cramer's nonfinancial madness.