Different time frames and trading

Originally posted by tntneo
I agree, looking at multiple time frames can cause trouble.
I think it's because the active trend does not care much about higher time frames, so you should not.

I am not saying you can't look at both time frames. Sure you can. The optimum imho is to trade both time frames but separately. That's what I do at least.

The trouble comes when within one trading strategy you mix up time frames. it can yield bad decisions because of confusion.
Stop loss are mixed up and opposite, etc.

If you are discretionnary, it's even more important to avoid confusion. If your strategy is more mechanical, then the process can be embedded in the rules and more manageable.

as usual, there are many ways to make money. but why not seek simplicity most often ?

tntneo
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tntneo:

You came right to the point. I WHOLEHEARTEDLY agree with you. Why not seek simplicity?

That's also where I wanted to get to. While using different time frames is useful in the perspective of the analyst, it seems to be just the opposite in the perspective of the trader.

Again and again old timers refer to entering a trade, preferrably, always in the direction of the major trend. However that doesn't mean we will be trading different time frames - we always trade a single time frame. It's just a matter of risk evaluation and strategy.

Anyway a thing seems to be clear in this thread: the risk and trading rules should be always based upon the time frame we are trading. Let the other frames for analysis and trend evaluation.

In the end it's all about our money, not the theoreticians'. :)

cpo
 
thanks cpo.
aphex and inlong, from my perspective you are talking about the same time frame.

To me a time frame is not the same thing as the bar size.
but I know several do that, some with 3 levels (same chart but 3 different bar sizes).. I tried that at some point, but it does not have to be so 'complicated' imho.
Anyway I agree with what you are saying, although I don't trade that way at all.

tntneo
 
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