i stop trading when any of the following happens: -> it's during times when i don't have a good success rate. -> i'm unable to focus on trading. -> i have multiple bad trades; i don't want to revenge trade, and sometimes do. -> i start forcing trades. -> i don't feel into it. seems like a lot of time, right? but i've found most of my money comes from certain time frames, certain types of setups, and certain types of mental conditions. why give back money in other times?
I stop for the day when I realize that I'm putting on trades just to put them on. If you can't sit on your hands, its time to get up.
Stop when you run out of money, get margin calls, or get fired. Any one of the 3 and it's time for a break.
Seriously, if you feel anxious or out of sorts, and your P+L is red. It dosen't have to be a fixed amount. What if you're up nicely for the day? How much do you give back before braking?
i just don't place any new orders if ADX is below 20, but i do watch the market even when i am not trading, meanwhile maybe play a game of chess.
A lot of the comments in here are some of the main reasons why the majority of day-traders never succeed. analyze them objectively and carefully and hopefully you will see why. Enjoy