when you see all those bid and ask orders in level 2 and no volume...those orders are orders displayed by the market maker..
that depends on your style if your style is daytrading like scalping in the position for only minutes,,,,than low commissions would matter as for swing traders....commissions don't matter.
I DO...........LOL BUT REALLY WHAT ARE YOU TRADING Futures, Stocks or Options as we all know minus the commish. futures are all ZERO-SUM as well as Options Stocks are not ZERO-SUM however, I feel that markets move because they have to not because they want to, so the retail investor/trader is always put on the wrong side or misinformed as to what side of the market they should be on ( long-short) so the big players can profit from the little. ( The Big Eat the Small ) They need us for there food without us they would eat each other By the way I post S&P levels and pivots as well as breakout and breakdown targets every day on youtube I also do vids on indicators and overall market comments If you like here is a link http://www.youtube.com/user/TradePilotPro Be Careful out there Joe Baker
The folk who know what they are doing of course, that should be clear. For most newbees this market is just a breif visit the casino. Ever heard a newbee say " its like someones watching me place my trades " . The guys who have been around and survived the tuition fee are waiting to see there fear, greed & complacency, well I am at least.