Quote from speculatus:
In order to post reserve liquidity the specialist/floor broker had to show at least 1K, and it would be shown on NYOB. What Level II are you referring to?
No, it wouldn't show on the NYOB. It would be shown on the level level II, but only when it was on the inside market on NYS.
For example.
There is a reserve order at 25.34 on the bid, showing 1,000 shares, containing 25,000.
I bid 500 shares at 25.34.
On the NYOB, you only see at 25.34 500 shares. However, on the level II, you see 1500 shares - the 1,000 floor broker reserve and then my 500.
If I bid 100 on NYS at 25.35, you now won't see the 25.34 1000 floor broker reserve, only my 500 in the open boook. The floor broker could cancel his order at this time and there would be no way for anyone to know, except for his buddy floor brokers, who can see the depth of market for bloor broker orders.
If you can see it in the NYOB, it's a regular retail order, or an order put in the NYOB by a floor broker that differs in no way whatsoever from any order you or I can put. When the floor broker is on the inside market, you see him on the LII but not the book, 100% of the time.