I'd like to point out something that seems left out of the above posts.... trading for a reputabile prop firm like SMB Capital using a professional-style platform like Blackwood or Anvil is nothing comparable to retail trading, even if you are trading the Q's or ES... at a good prop firm they have fiber optic connections to the exchange data and you are getting data and executions seconds faster, if not more, than someone at home using GFT or Ameritrade. It makes a huge difference. The platforms also offer very fast keyboard shortcuts to get you safely in and out of trades in a split-second. best to all-