Whiskey
Thats what makes a mkt. The difference between science and trading is scientists can hit the other planets with a rocket because the inputs to get that job done are accurate and complete. Just do the calculations, fuel the rocket, light a match and you are on your way. In trading we also know where we want our rocket called price to go but we are not lucky enough to have complete and accurate inputs.
Amt calls his methods by a different name than some others and i have seen his calls about "levels" in former ET chat be very accurate at times. You said you look for "STOPS", ok, no problem there. You see, just you two guys are looking for the same output from different inputs. I myself look at the same thing but call them what many others call them..........support and resistence levels. Ok, we all agree we are looking for the same price planet with different inputs. I prefer to think of the levels as places where the other players in the game will "GET EXCITED" and take action. As humans, we traders are still controlled by innate emotions of "fight or flight" and from "fear" until we develope those trader muscles to play our hunches in a game of odds based in the incomplete and inaccurate inputs.
Thus my view of levels are based on ..........What will the losers do at this price and what will the winners do at the same price? I know what the majority of losing traders will do (you look for STOPS) amt looks at distributions and accumulations), the same goes for winning traders at a certain price LEVEL.
This game is about humans and the human mind at work. It is far less about economic situation and has zip to do with high math except for a few math nerds that do arb etc.
Trading is "LESS is MORE".
Thats all for now, good thread by amt, good to share and build upon.
PS: the shorter the time frame the less economic noise matters. I personally do not think there is any value in trading any chart shorter than 5 minutes. trading noise is a losing game........and do not wish to argue the point.
PSS: Daytrading is anticipating price to shoot to the next LEVEL.
PSSS: Little off topic but concerns index traders
http://online.wsj.com/article/SB124182728190802535.html