Again Don, thanks for re-posting this. I find it very accurate, and truly reflective of the thinking of the genuinely successful and experienced traders.Originally posted by Don Bright
OK, here you go.
Following is something I just pasted to here that I had written last night in the "SUPER EGO" thread: (abbreviated, and a bit edited)
"Trading is more an art. It is about processing information in ways that cannot even be verbalized....does anyone believe that an outfielder can possibly explain what they are thinking when they chase down a fly ball? No, it is instinct. It is what is developed over time. Trading is like that. There is too much to process to put into black and white. The outfielder is prepared and alert and knows where to position himself for each batter, but not exactly where he will ultimately have to go. Just goes by probabilities...Is the batter a power hitter? a pull hitter? Is the stock you are trading volitile? Does it trade with a group? An index?
I know many truly successful traders than never look at charts ever! The very best I trader I knew never looked at charts. I admit I do, but just intraday charts...so I can get a graphic idea of where the stock has been during the day. Is it weak? Strong? On a dip? A run-up? That helps me somewhat, because I trade a lot of stocks. But if I only traded a handful, I would likely not bother with charts. I would be watching the stocks, and I would know how they were behaving."
BACK TO NOW (Tuesday noon)
The trader I talked about that was the "very best" also was virtually always on both sides of the market. He was the guy who taught Schonfeld to trade. I am sure there are many here who may know who I am talking about. Sadly, he passed away a few months back. I miss him and will always be grateful for the wisdom he passed along to so many. He was a generous and funny guy. He never asked for anything in return for his advice. He was a diabetic and unfortunately he went into a shock and never awoke. But he lives on in the hearts of so many traders that greatly owe their success at least in part to him. If I didn't know better, I would think you (Don) and he shared your ideas. I know that isn't the case, but it is funny how what works just works. There is no magic, there are no tricks. There is only the basics of what works more times than not. Which is to say your points will always be valid. Crystal balls are a nice thing to wish for. So are charting secrets that work.
Thanks,
RS7
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