I don't "scale".. I'm playing a point on the charts... that's it. A scaling style is OK if it fits your psyche.
Actually Gnome, I thought your name was a play on the 'gnomes of zurich' and the folklore about them, particularly with your strong opinions about the CB's and monetary devaluation. You and I probably share similar opinions and backgrounds by the way. Here's my question, coming from someone who has been around a while as well. #1. With increasing computerization, do you find that dumb, black box systems trading no longer works as well as it used to, or at all? (You remember the gravy days in MA's I am sure) Do you trade a system, but find yourself increasingly overriding it (which is NOT what you are 'supposed' to do)? #2. With increasing computerization, for a trader with a smaller acct (<1mio USD) if you were to trade individual equities, would you stick to the more thinly traded equities to fly 'under the radar' and avoid the distortions that the big boys can create in the more liquid securities, (particularly for those HF's willing to use leverage)? Or from a practical standpoint do you think the relative lack of liquidity is insufficient to provide you with any 'edge' in that smaller account category?
What if I have a method I was taught four years ago and have been studying ever since and now understand it. It is "grey box" and requires judgment but you are aware by the shape of the indicators when it is "safe to take a trade in a given direction. It trades based on depth of market participation cycles and is very accurate. The problems lie mostly in psychology. 1) How can I make money and trade while still learning with a small account? 2) When can I quit my day job? 3) How can I find people to partner with me to develop computer code to search for opportunities? This has tremendous potential and I am wasting it, which is heartbreaking. I need to find people who recognize how accurate this could be if a computer could search thousands of markets for the right set ups....they are not that rare. I am in Washington, DC.
I don't think of myself as having "large amounts of wealth"... But, I got more than most of you mugs.. and THAT'S what counts...
On a similar note, you don't have to be the best trader in the world, you just have to be better thant the guy in the other side of your trade.
1. You already know how much I hate the Gummint, its lies, policies.. etc. and the Central Banks... We're all frickin' doomed, and not politically sophisticated enough to THROW THE BUMS OUT.. just the way they like it... 2. Computerization and concentration of assets has changed the markets. The play now seems to be for shorter term and smaller profits. We have to adapt to that or be left in the dust. 3. I don't believe in "edges". Few of us ever find one, and when we do it's likely to be illegal. Regardless, trade with chart discipline... it's your best shot.
Gaining cred is tough. All I can say is keep a record of all you do. When you've done well enough and long enough, you will find your way to bigger money.
When I was in college, they told us that we would learn to make both a bomb and a still... and that our future in the program would be greatly influenced by our NOT making either...