The only requirements for most prop shops are around $5,000 deposit and a face (and the face is optional). As long as your putting down money most will give you a seat no problem.
Quote from cresta:
For those of a more delicate disposition perhaps we could all agree to rename " trading arcades" with the term " trading bureaux"???
PS Has Elvis left the building yet ??

Again, it is not proprietary if it is your own money. You are referring to a customer shop.Quote from nyc-hotshot:
The only requirements for most prop shops are around $5,000 deposit and a face (and the face is optional). As long as your putting down money most will give you a seat no problem.
I own and run a prop firm. When the term is used wrong, I find that it confuses people. It is a lot like calling a janitor a sanitation engineer and then thinking that all engineers are also janitors.Quote from newguy1:
I agree. Its a different concept. Its funny that not everyone is trying to classify all firms as "arcades".
Although I have to admit that during my first year of trading, I would have made a lot more money as a sanitation engineer than with my engineering degree. 
Quote from newguy1:
so if you get a "prop" deal with a firm like HLV, (where you don't put any money down), they can still make money off you in a churn and burn way?
And this "churn and burn" thing doesn't happen in futures "prop"?
Quote from GetWhatUDeserve:
After much mental labor (most of it reading posts) I conclude these definitions related to trading:
1. Proprietary: A firm hires a trader, the trader trades the firm's capital with no risk deposit. The firm keeps a percentage of the trader's profit, but beforehand typically trains the trader in a firmwide methodology. The firm generally expects the trader to stay with that methodology.
The firm can profit on markups in areas suchs as commission, fees, ets. .
2. Professional: A firm takes a trader's risk deposit, and the trader trades his method. The firm makes money from commissions and software fees. So a guy with $5K can trade various leverage levels like 10:1, 30:1, 100:1 in equities. These firms that offer higher leverage justify the risk because they will make more commission dollars. Occasionally, a bad trader blows them out.
3. Arcade: so far it it seems and English (British) word that is similar in equities to professional firm. Now I learned that it refers to futures shops as well. When I read news articles on traders from Europe, the word Arcade used a lot.
Quote from phil_rj:
Hi guys,
I've decided to pursue trading for a living but humbly admit I have no daytrading experience. All I can say for myself is I've watched the markets pretty closely for the last couple of years and swing traded on and off -- unable to get intense given my intense job and wasn't profitable either, but acquired appreciation for risk management. I also did a good deal of reading on trading.
I feel I'd like to go work for a prop trading firm as a newbie and learn the ropes from there.
I've got a few questions:
1) Do you guys recommend firms that require initial deposits (such as in the 3k neighborhood) or only the ones where only firm capital is at stake?
2) Any suggestions as to which firms are best for the newbie?
3) How hard is it to get a job at a prop trading firm as a newbie?
4) Any tips on what the strategy should be at the interview? (eg. should I mention I've traded before or is that looked upon as a potential negative bias that will be difficult to "correct"?)
Thanx folks!