Frosty,
Here's a few assumptions from the thread replies you've given.
1. I'm guessing that your execution platform is working as it is supposed to. Due to the hypothetical (test) results closely resembling the live results. Also, this can be said with the testing platform itself.
So the problem lies in the model itself. Correct?
2. You have a specific concept, which you assume to work. This is based on your comment that you tweaked the previous trading model you used.
...
So my questions are:
1. Without giving out the specific concept and actual tweaks you've done, please explain how the models were developed and process of how you derived to the current model.
(eg. You find a specific concept that seems to work. You tested it and it get a upward equity curve. The risk-metrics for the concept is favorable in XXXX... XXXX... XXX.... reasons.
Though, the initial test is favorable, you find that YYYY... YYY... YY... flaws. So you take that concept and try to filter them out to create a more favorable curve.)
2. Also, please explain how you assessed the trading models and the results. Please post the metrics and test processes you've done.
(eg. You had the historical tester pull out the following metrics with the results: %Profitability, MaxDD, Sharpe, ZZZ... ZZ.... Z.... Then you run a walk forward and get these results.
Then you run a monte-carlo... And conclude that is the system is So-and-so.
And you run AAAAA... tests and conclude BBBB... based on those results...
And etc. etc. )
Frost, let's start there...
Just like any thread in ET, the original poster never provides enough information to provide a constructive and valuable advice. (He's already mentioned he's a newbie so it's acceptable...)
Though, it's unbelievable to see how posters try to give advice. Why can't people recognize that there's no point of posting anything in here without the required information?
Most systems don't work. Most systems that tested well don't work. Though, there's usually a reason behind why it stopped working and it's usually very simple. (Definition of what "works" is a different story... robustness, duration, etc. etc. Off topic.)
Issue now is to identify whether there is a "problem" (obviously there is). If there is one, then it's to find what it is so that the OP doesn't make the same mistake again.
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One obvious problem is that the OP is adding "discretion" by switching his system on/off. The On/Off criteria should be based on a systematic approach (or within the range of what's been researched). The obvious reason causing this problem is that he hasn't set a contingency before running it live. Even if he did set up contingency criterias, it's not being followed...
Despite of all the critisism, Jimmy Jam is correct to a certain point. The OP has to learn how to trade and build himself up to become a trader. You may not be entering all your orders manually, but ATS is trading. Here's a hint to the picky people: What is the first thing you need to make it as a trader?
Discipline.