I am sure there is a noticeable difference between real and paper trading, but not everybody has the extra $10 grand to blow on education and then another $10 grand to refine it. I cannot speak for all who paper trade, but personally, so far it had helped me a lot. It allows me to implement different strategies and approaches that are described in trading books and provides through practice high level of familiarity with both charting and trading programs. Sure I could deposit 10 grand and learn those things while trading, but that is like teaching my son how to drive by letting him bounce my Lexus through the streets of Manhattan.
I'll second that. From what I can tell in reading other threads, by not trading real money I am getting much further ahead. It seems this place is filled with people that lost with real accounts before they knew if they could do it. I may not be making money, but that puts me ahead of most people here. JIM
Funniest post of the weekend! :eek: ... the thing is, all humor aside he does have a point. Paper Trading is to Live Trading what Mental Masturbation is to actually being intimate with a woman. (had to keep it clean) ... and while it is true you'll never experience rejection while doing your mental masturbation, you'll never score either. *** So while you can get the lay of land in SIM mode, eventually you're going to have to test it out with cash to actually see what trading is all about, otherwise you're just flying at half-mast (there's no way paper trading can simulate the emotions of FEAR and GREED, which believe it or not, are what really run the markets). (I wish you guys) Good luck, JJ
Yo JJ You are right. But so is Allen, so is Saxon (love the Lexus illustration). And Stanlex - OUTSTANDING! I lost my virginity to Alaron, FlashFutures, Gain Capital and FXCM. So now I am masturbating (paper trading). There ain't no shame in it, it saves a lot of $. Power to the boys that do it first! Yes, you are right, we will have to make the transition back to the real world where real $ are at risk, and real emotions play a role. But I must say that I love this sim thing. It provides opportunity to test all kinds of ideas and strategies. In the long run we will be better for it. In the short run, keep the door locked!
Hi Guys Nice to see some consistent posters here, and nice one JJ There is no need to donate to the market while learning but it would be ideal to have some reward system for your trading to tie in some emotions. Option 1: wire up a taser and on each point drawdown = 1 stun Option 2: (seriously now) some reward or punishment for your performance. ie meet a end of week total you get to go to your favorite restaurant otherwise your wife gets to pick her favorite thing to do etc. Talk to your other half, you should be able to come up with something. Keep it real! and good trading. BB
Day (11) ER Mini ----------------------------- #1) - 1.2 #2) +1.5 #3) + .1 #4) +1.6 #5) - .6 #6) +1.2 #7) +1.0 #8) + .9 ------------------ (+4.5 points x100= +450.00)- (8RT x5.5=$44.00)= +$406.00 10 Day total=+ $832.50 Today = +$406.00 ----------------------------- Cumulative=+ $1238.50 Choppy if you held on to long it all went bye bye.