Think or Swim for scalping stocks. ...what am I missing?

[tomi01]

For decades there has always been a chunk of people who say they love scalping stocks & trading equities on Think or Swim.

I have always found it INCREDIBLY clunky vs "standard" trading packages with Level II quotes, T&S, charting, etc, etc.

TOS can do each one of those, I suppose, but it seems like so much getting in the way & so much clicking around.

So I can put this to rest in my head after all these years, does anyone here use TOS for scalping stocks? If so, what do you find advantageous about it?

Thanks.

A recent thread goes into this, starting on this page:

I use the Active Trader buttons described throughout this thread of someone else trying to use TOS to scalp:
https://www.elitetrader.com/et/threads/learn-to-take-losses.378827/page-9

 

[ironchef]

Just in case this might be an issue for you, would you click on the gear symbol that says "Setup" at the top of the main program page and then look at "Active Trader" and "System". Under Active Trader the AT order submission rate limit should say 0 ms and under System it should say "Real-time (no delay)". Be sure to check the other categories in the Setup menu also to be sure they're set the way you want them.

Thank you for the pointers. I haven't really transitioned over from Schwab SSE, still practicing with TOS Sim but hope to get use to TOS soon.

 

[ironchef]

Just in case this might be an issue for you, would you click on the gear symbol that says "Setup" at the top of the main program page and then look at "Active Trader" and "System". Under Active Trader the AT order submission rate limit should say 0 ms and under System it should say "Real-time (no delay)". Be sure to check the other categories in the Setup menu also to be sure they're set the way you want them.

Can't thank you enough!!!

I went into the Setup wheel, took a look. Sure enough On Active Trader, the submission rate said 500ms and Under System, said 2 sec! I set submission rate to 0 ms and System to real-time. That was why I couldn't scalp profitably!

Can't wait until Monday to try scalping again.

Now the results will be way too good to be true and my profits might not be real?

In live trades, were there delays in execution?

Thanks again.

 

[birdman]

I scalp every day using TOS. I always use market orders and i trade high volume stocks and ETFs. I've used it for years and my one major complaint, which occured more frequently with Ameritrade than with Schwab is, there will be a day every once in a while where you can input a market order and it will show input on screen, but it will take 8 to 15 seconds to execute. December 8, 2023 i had two such trades. One went against me and the other in my favor. February 16th i had some of those delayed executions as well. I average 40 to 50 round trips most days without delay.

 

[ironchef]

I scalp every day using TOS. I always use market orders and i trade high volume stocks and ETFs.

Good to know. I only live day traded for 3 months using Schwab SSE, 3 months Sim on TOS. I have a looooong way to go before I can say I am a day trader.

 

[ironchef]

I average 40 to 50 round trips most days.

!!!

My experience: In 3 months' live trades, every time I traded that often, it was a losing day. Winning days, I quit at ~5 trades. But I wasn't scalping.

My TOS Sim, I scalped: Winning days, < 10 trades, losing days >20 trades. ????? Maybe the Sim tripped me up with built in lags?

 

[birdman]

!!!

Maybe the Sim tripped me up with built in lags?

I never used Sim so i can't say for sure but seems unlikely. My hold time usually ranges from 6 seconds to 3 minutes with an average of 40 seconds.

The very best advice i can give is to ...
1) configure your end of day reporting trade log with all the metrics you feel are important
2) comitt to trading real money at size 1 share at a time for 30 days and trade like crazy taking every set up you see. My 40 trade days are usually complete in 60 to 90 minutes. you may have many more if you trade all day. Your profit / loss will not matter trading size 1.
3) of course none of this advice is valid if you simply must have an immediate income.
4) wouldn't you say that 6 months is lightning fast compared to a 4 year degree prorgram. This is learnable in 6 months although it can take longer.
5) trade that one share as long as it takes to be happy with your monthy results. If you aren't positive after 30 days using the same strategy, go back to step 1 and change you metrics you are measuring / your reasons to enter.
6) trade 1 share until it never occurs to you to do anything except follow your written rules (whatever they may be).
7) When you are happy with monthly results at 1, then go to 10 shares for a month, 100 shares the next month, etc, etc, etc. Years ago i started with 5000 shares and would have saved a fortune if i had known to start small.

Trading 1 share at a time gives you freedom to experience real results without worry of loss (especially if you limit to shares that are priced below $20). I can't advise you on your rule selection, but i can say with confidence that the right way to learn is at 1 share. Hope it helps!

 

[ironchef]

I never used Sim so i can't say for sure but seems unlikely. My hold time usually ranges from 6 seconds to 3 minutes with an average of 40 seconds.

The very best advice i can give is to ...
1) configure your end of day reporting trade log with all the metrics you feel are important
2) comitt to trading real money at size 1 share at a time for 30 days and trade like crazy taking every set up you see. My 40 trade days are usually complete in 60 to 90 minutes. you may have many more if you trade all day. Your profit / loss will not matter trading size 1.
3) of course none of this advice is valid if you simply must have an immediate income.
4) wouldn't you say that 6 months is lightning fast compared to a 4 year degree prorgram. This is learnable in 6 months although it can take longer.
5) trade that one share as long as it takes to be happy with your monthy results. If you aren't positive after 30 days using the same strategy, go back to step 1 and change you metrics you are measuring / your reasons to enter.
6) trade 1 share until it never occurs to you to do anything except follow your written rules (whatever they may be).
7) When you are happy with monthly results at 1, then go to 10 shares for a month, 100 shares the next month, etc, etc, etc. Years ago i started with 5000 shares and would have saved a fortune if i had known to start small.

Trading 1 share at a time gives you freedom to experience real results without worry of loss (especially if you limit to shares that are priced below $20). I can't advise you on your rule selection, but i can say with confidence that the right way to learn is at 1 share. Hope it helps!

Thanks.

You are not the only one telling me to skip Sim and trade 1 share.

When I transition over to TOS, I will.