IB have excessive margin anyway which can become variable at times, brokers like AMP are better for this type of thing if you are trading close to the edge, there are ways to offset this problem but I'm not sure the architects will like me telling non-accredited how, sorry about that.
What are you trading? Options? VIX instruments? Usually IB will require stricter margin requirements for these securities. And they do NOT take into account hedging. As long as they see that your position is too large in relative to how much cash you have in the account, they will force-liquidate at market price aka very bad price. So the solution is like some has said here, 1) put in more money into your account and 2) trade smaller positions. Don't trust their advertised margin. They say you have 33% more margin to invest for example, that's BS in reality. In reality, they post a lot higher margin requirements so your buying power is lot less.
With options, assuming you are from the US, trading US options in the US, here is IB's margin requirement for options: https://www.interactivebrokers.com/...hm=us&ex=us&rgt=1&rsk=0&pm=1&rst=101004110808 Basically unless you are covered, as long as IB sees that you don't have money to satisfy any potential exercise or assignment of the options, it will force liquidate you. IB is very clear on that. I bet you it's the options that are f***ing you up.
Take away one vote from the "Never" choice", because I saw the poll but not realize it was about IB specifically until I read through the thread thoroughly, and I cannot cancel the vote. Sorry about that.
Thanks for freaking up the results @Overnight, because of your one vote, you changed the results by like 25%.
Just do the maths, lol! If you can't, how can you be expected to calculate ROI and R:R and shit? Teehee.