I hear ya. As far as the alias thing? I haven't been paying attention. If he as doing that he isn't a bad guy.....he just belongs in a room at The Creedmore Hotel. Surf's grandstanding is ridiculous at times...but I think he's just being a wiseass. I mean really....what real trader is going to come out and say "This can not happen". If he is really trading his own money and believing what he says, he is setting himself up for a nuclear meltdown in his account. But again, I find it very tough to believe he trades 3-6 ES in a real account, then goes to 30 lots on some quick decision. Then is using a forced margin liquidation as a stop. It's beyond reckless.
I am now only going to call him by the following: Dave Hoffman Rob Goodboy MarketHoffman RobSurfer I'll let him choose what he would like to be called.
I dislike journals like this because I wonder if there are any noobs out there lurking and trying to replicate the journal's trades, thinking the person knows what they are doing, especially with all the name-dropping and talk about writing a book that goes on in here. Fortunately, episodes like this one should be enough to shoot down all the journal's credibility. A short-term trader who knows what he is doing would have been long the bulk of last week and only gotten short on Friday. There wasn't a single logical place to short last week until Friday morning, so I don't know what surf was doing going short at ~1316, when there was no weakness of note. I like the 1305 area before 1343. We're right about in the middle of that range now, so it's still a tug-o-war between bears and bulls, but I think the bears will win this one.
Exactly right. The only way to explain a sudden 80% increase in a position is called...paper trading at its finest!
Excellent post. I would hope new traders don't come on ET to follow/copy trades of others. If they do, at least know the background of the person they are following. Also know if the person is trading a real account or a simulator. I agree with you as far as when to get short the SP. I let the market/price action tell me when to get long or short. 1305 is a breakdown, and shorting down there could lead to a nice sell off. Also keeps ya out of the noise/back and forth trading within a range. Regardless of the way this trade goes...Surf's credibility is taking a huge hit.
You're right on, 100%. Only explanation is paper trading. For nothing more than attention, both positive and negative.
Well, overnight futures stayed in a narrow 4 pts range.... I too doubt that this is real money, but making money was never really the goal of this journal....
No, it only makes sense when the time is right----not just for the sake of martingaling, but then again, hindsight is 20/20. I try to live in the NOW when trading--- the situation was such that I know with certainty a meltdown is on its way--- there was no doubt therefore the tossing of all risk parameters and going all in. How folks can't see the OBVIOUS is bizzare to me. Too much double think and twisted logic guru following in this biz. From a 8k plus drawdown to profits right now--- was it risky, sure. Do i reccomend this style of trading to everyone- no way! but when the time is right, one needs to push all limits or forever be banished to would of, could of, should of land of mediocricy. I don't have huge capital backing, and without it, one needs to take risks in this business or simply churn making small profits and hoping your edge lasts long enough to make it into the next trade. Cause, let me tell you brother, regardless of what the stealth vendors, book salesmen and seminar promoters on this site tell you--- the market mistress loves to destroy fixed systems. The brutality on the longs is about to begin, are you ready?
It's hilarious how you are bragging about basically putting an account on the edge of blowing up. Seriously Surf......it's embarassing. Good thing this is a sim account, because your strategy is destined to blow up. That is a guarantee. The reason you aren't a trader for a living is blatantly obvious. Stick to writing article...that you seem to have a good grasp on.