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You know your floor brokers well, and use only those you trust. A related point is that not all floor brokers are equally skilled or have the same amount of clout on the floor. I regularly split up my large orders, and enter them in pieces through my different floor brokers, to see who is...

I run 4 computers through a router that the Comcast tech support guy helped me set up over the phone (although they don't officially support it), never any problems. If you need multiple static IP addresses for some reason (If you don't know the reason, you don't need them....), then it will...

Asking what the the size of your stop should be without knowing how you are trading is meaningless. The right answer might be one or twenty. Regardless of what else you so, I would suggest that you spend some time trading with auditrack, or something similar before moving into real money. You...

When a system has several years of profitability in real time with real money, real fills and real slippage, in varied market conditions, AND has weathered at least a few 3 sigma events, then it is worth something. Until then, at least in my opinion, it is worth hypothetical money. Jessie

That would generally help with an equity option straddle, but with options on futures, it is entirely possible (and common) for the two front months to move violently in opposite directions. (this happens often when there is particular abundance or shortage in the front delivery month of ags...

I need a fairly recent series 3 course for a clerk, preferably computer based, or at least with computer based practice tests. If anybody has one to sell reasonably, please let me know. Thanks, Jessie

Sorry, should have posted this to classifieds, but for some reason I can edit but can't delete. Jessie

They periodically keep stating that they have no intention of starting to issue 30's again, and pretty much every economist periodically says they are crazy for not doing so. Right now, there are no official plans to do so. Jessie

You should easily find a broker for 1/2 that amount. Just look at the listings at www.cbot.com or whatever the merc has that is equivalent on their website, and start calling. You should also be able to negotiate your existing broker down quite a bit from there, especially if you are trading...

Microhedge is what most of the floor and upstairs pros that I know at the CBOT use. It's a lot more flexible and sophisticated than OptionVue, but also a good bit more expensive. Jessie

You might find COT (commitments of traders) reports useful for your purpose. They will tell you who is doing what, which is a pretty good indicator of the strength of the participants. For example, in the metals, it is not uncommon to see a huge small spec long position and a large short...

In the pit, the stop order is held in your broker's order deck (or handheld) with all the other orders, which are arranged by price. It isn't shown to the pit at all until activated by trading through the stop price. As for knowing whether it's a stop, it isn't indicated to the pit as to type...

Keep in mind that in really rural Mexico, it is not all that unlikely that you will NOT be able to just call your broker in some places. At times, the phones just don't work. Have you considered really taking a vacation? The market will still be here, and I'll bet your girlfriend would enjoy it...

First, the sort of partnering agreements that have been mentioned here are fairly common, and a reasonable way to raise the capital needed to start off, if you truly have a profitable system. Even if they should steal it, if the impact of a couple more people trading your system is so...

BTW, regarding an earlier post, professional traders do not pay social security on their earnings (capital gains). The exemption is stated in IRS Topic 429, which explains the rules for "professional trader" tax status: "Gains and losses from selling securities as part of a trading business are...

Wi-Fi is nonexistant in rural Mexico, cell phone service is spotty at best and totally unavailable over most of the rural countryside, and even hard wired phone service is still largely unavailable in many rural areas. For example, one pretty good sized town we visit regularly in the Copper...

Actually, not being able to have another job is a common misconception. Having another job really isn't a problem for trader tax status, as long as you meet the other criteria. I know a number of people who do so, and I did for a number of years as well with no problems. It is really important...

Everyone is different, and everyone has a style of trading that suits them best. I know people who make 7 figures scalping with a 30 second time frame using nothing but guts for analysis, and I know people who make 7 figures who have held the same trades for literally several years. I am a floor...

Trader is listed as one of your occupations (it doesn't have to be the only one) on the 1040. As for whether you will qualify, you will have to be able to demonstrate the requirements below. I would doubt seriously that meals or coffee with friends, unless they are securities professionals also...

One thing to also keep in mind, though, is that the use of SD assumes and relies on the fact that distributions are normal, but it has been shown for many years that market distributions are not, that they are kurtotic (fat tails), meaning that extreme events occur much more frequently than...