It really depends on the broker but I would say 1 contract per $ 1,000 off the top of my head, and 1 ES contract for $ 500. These are intraday rates.
The exchange requirement is $5000/contract. If you have $9G your risk management techniques should give you the answer you seek. However any suggestions with your $9G that you can trade up to 9 CL contracts with $1000 margin even if daytrading is foolhardy. Go ahead and try it you wont forget the lesson. With $9K better you look at trading the the mini - CL at half the normal contract size. Ticker symbol is QM.
Now I'm confused. Let me try this from a different angle... How much money do I need in an account to get 10 contracts for just intraday trade?
Your broker will give you the answer but most brokers will allow 50% day trade margin about $2500/contract. But you dont really need a broker to tell you how many CL contracts can I day trade with $9G. The mere fact you are asking this question means you shouldn't be even thinking of trading. Do some homework and try a simulator to see what it means to hold 10 CL contracts with $9G margin. You will be wiped out in a second.
know whats fun on a sim? take on 100 contracts and let it go outta control over night and then bust it out to see if you can bring it back. do this for a month strait. The catch is the quality of the sim. if you use one that fills anything its useless. but if you use one thats close to 100% accurate with fills, you just might be on to something eh? or should i keep my day job of stock trading?
For $9,900 I would only use one ct for CL. In fact you should have near 20K for one ct with CL. Other wise the risk of ruin factor will/can strike and you are out before you know it. Best John
1 lot per 10,000 of equity is the smart way to go... If you're dumb then by all means buy as many as your broker will allow.