This is a nice post that applies to any biased trader. At some point, a trader can advance to a level where he sees the way to have an advantage under these circumstances. I hired an exemployee of the hunt bros. I needed a geologist who worked in CAlif and on the range we were staking out. His new pick up was a gift he picked up in the Ontario airport after the HB's scuttled the ship. I was glad he became available. In trading, all activity creeps in in a small way before it becomes a big event. 9/11 happened before to open so only those who were not intraday type traders got caught. the flash crash on 06MAY was really nice since two legs of profit hit in rapid succession. It was almost like a "greenspan" moment of years past. greenspans announcements always precipitated four very profitable segments. In markets, adjacent moves are usually in opposite directions. Also, the market "telegraphs its moves. It could be that the astute traders could know htese things. If he does then he can take advantage and be making money at a very high velocity. What people call sudden unexpected moves, are usually biased to the down side. any person not neutrally biased does get in trouble. By being asute and knowing bad moments for biased traders can happen, what is hard about being on the other side of these traders trades???
Looking forward to see your progress. Trading 1 lot ES with a $5,000 account with the type of stops you mentioned would put you less than 2% of account equity risked per trade. Also $300 to $500 per week profits on 1 ES contract is only 6-10 points per week, less than 8 ticks per day. 8 ticks per day per contract is achievable. If your daily goal is around $100 make sure you quit and turn your machine off and STOP TRADING if you are down $150 or $200 tops. Avoid the big losses like the plague. You also should have a drawdown max to take a break live trading and get back on the simulator. On a $5,000 account, I don't think you want to go much under $4,000 before you reevaluate.
Don't listen to any of these clowns on these forums. It is 100% doable, just make sure you have a discount broker so you can get the $500 margins. Also, I wouldn't trade CL trade QM its half the tick value and CL is a little bi polar - ES/TF are good markets - use 1 lot and don't put too much pressure on yourself - Remember, there ARE HUGE Players in these markets just ride their coattails.
Heres a tip dude. Your edge doesn't mean anything with a 1 lot or even a 100 lot -Your 'edge' is all in your head - its desks and real pros moving the market u just are getting a free ride.