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<i>"Now, I take profits too quickly; anywhere from a tick to 1.5 points in a volatile market where I could get much more. So I'm making more money than I ever did, but it's far from optimal. I basically went from one extreme to another and need to find some kind of balance."</i> FWIW, I'm...

<i>"Who amongst us would keep banging away on keyboards in a day like this, when we can be outside enjoying life itself?"</i> (slowly raises hand sheepishly from the keyboard) Shorted a couple of times past 2pm est, caught the first chunk lower and exited at ES 23.50 Watched another...

Bought & sold a few times this morning for modest gains. When the ES rolled over and broke out of key consolidation, we held short and let it flow with the trend. Covered at 22.50 on a trail, probably too soon but I'm done trading for today. 70F temps outside, last day of "spring" until...

<i>"Soooooooo...what, exactly, was your P/L? I can't decipher it."</i> $3,900 gross (before costs) = 39 points x two contracts. Sorry to omit that detail earlier :eek:

Each two-lot turn represents unique entry signal. Couple of averaged-up scale trades at different entry signals on the chart were exited on an all-out basis, as always.

Trading the ER? No problem... we get along just fine. Trading the ES? That symbol continues to get more and more spiky = choppy all the time. Decided to scalp for handles (never ticks, yikes) and bank the daily quota with less sitting in this chair watching bars flip up & down. Brushing up on...

I would opine the solution to gun violence of present lies in the past. Going back several decades and then to the origin of our country, just about every household was armed with guns. Women and children were taught how to use them for self-defense against animals and the wrong people...

yes, trade with smaller stops than profit objectives. We cannot use a -1pt stop in ES and expect it to consistently hold. We can use -2.0pt or -2.5pt stops seeking +4pts or better and acheive a 40% or greater win ratio. That in effect sets you up as "the house", whereas -4pt / +2pt ratio...

<i>"I am thinking that I may be trying to get too much out of each trade and that may be hurting."</i> Very common misconception. How many price swings greater than +4pts ES did we see yesterday? +8pts? +10pts? +20pts? Those type of swings happen every day. For the past several months...

<i>"So really to make $50K you have to make ay least 3% on your equity EVERY DAY. And that assumes about 180 out of 200 winning days. I say 50K because you'll have some effect from compounding in there. These are just very rough figures. don't hold me to the math. So what do you think?"</i>...

Reality in the trenches: main trading computer is sketchy today. Had a monitor die on the second system. Charts kept freezing up in the first computer. I wrenched my back this morning while watering Holly's horses and goats. I'm suffering from a head cold that migrated to my "stomach" after...

<b>Now at 5000, perhaps I've said too much.</b> Never, not possible (laugh) That said, may I respectfully ask why you've been posting almost non-stop for more than twelve hours straight? I'm here at the desk due to a kick-(butt) headcold that won't let me sleep, or do much of anything...

<b>gnome</b>, I sure hope you broke little maksie from the lapdog thing early on. Otherwise I'm afraid you're in the same boat as me... clingy dog(s) landing on your lap right when markets begin to break a move. Cozy den, adorable trading partner, way more than enough screens... what else can...

<i>"but I always seem to have an excuse even if it's just 'no-one ever went broke taking profit' "</i> That old axiom is myth #2 in our profession. In reality, millions of aspiring traders have gone broke thru the decades taking profits left & right. How is that possible? Simple. Profits...

<i>In the next little while i plan to focus more on automation, and lifestyle balance. Trading has become more about the money, and less about the true spirit and love of it. I remember making $5.77 my first day at swift, and being the happiest person in the world. Now i can make thousands in a...

<i>"The guy who took this short has a nice loss. Had it broken up the same thing could have happened. If you guys are winning trading patterns, more power to you. I won't touch them with a ten foot pole."</i> That specific pattern would have been much better odds if it consolidated after...

<i>"Time to do my part (research) and figure out wtf you guys just said."</i> We all basically said the same things... with different choices. You gave the trade parameters, we offered specific choices to fit. The bull-put credit spread works in your favor several ways. Lowers cost basis...

<i>Underlying - AAPL Bias - Bullish Time frame: 2-3 weeks. Thoughts: Don't think we'll see the recent swing low of 182-183 for the next few weeks. Possible rally to 213+. Thinking it's a logical window dressing candidate for end of '07 into beg of '08. If possible, would like to adjust...

Surf, I don't know what it's like to manage $$billions. Chances are extremely high that I never will. That said, I do know this much: you NEVER sell bullish premium when VIX levels are at >10-year low extremes. EVER There is nothing in one's favor on that side of the trade. Extrinsic value...

<i>"I think he got overconfident, and this led to his fall"... * Quote from atticus: 15,000 Aug08 1000 puts. -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Cant be the Aug 08 as there are none,assuming they are future options.Read where they may...