Why do you think you can make money trading?

On short term timescales, the markets can be, essentially, considered zero sum. Some are precisely zero sum (most derivatives are, although it has to be noted that those that derivive from an underlying non zero sum market are not zero sum... or more precisely they are but there is a mean win of the risk free return built into one direction [and the converse] but you can consider them zero sum as with all other markets for short timescales).

So why do you think you can make money from these zero sum games - particularly when you are playing with other participants who can? I will explain why I know I can in a few days, but I make this post with the aim of provoking thought, so do go on and post

 

I'm sure i've read this post before somewhere. Years and years ago!
(I have a strange memory)

 

For the same reason why 80% of car drivers are sure they are within the top 10% best drivers.

I was curious, tried and saw what to do. I don't care if others can or not. I only care about my account.

 

I reached the conclusion that I can make money trading by reading the posts of the clueless on yahoo finance and on ET.

 

You should not read too many postings on ET, because it seems to infect your brain already. :eek:

 

thanks for your speedy reply offering proof of my statement.
eek to you also.

 

And what will you do now? Buy or sell?

 

I don't really buy into the zero sum argument, i.e., that you're competing against others.

The markets go up and down for a myriad of reasons that are simply not that important. What's important is that you have a methodology that consistently gives you profitable buy and sell signals for exploiting intraday movement day after day.

In a liquid futures market, you shouldn't really be concerned about competing with others, since you have all the liquidity in the world to buy and sell wherever and whenever you want.

When you're trading such size that liquidity actually becomes an issue, then come back here and complain.

 

tell that to posters who have worries that their brokers are going to front run their orders.
those posts have always been a source of my favorites jokes.

 

Found it. It was from about 6 years ago!
http://www.trade2win.com/boards/gen...-do-you-think-you-can-make-money-trading.html

Surely I deserve something for remembering a few sentences from 6 years ago?.....Perhaps a spell in the maudsley mental hospital!!?