Topsteptrader

[Maverick74]

So for the lowest combine you would only trade 1 lot ?



10k per contract is perfectly fine for index futures intraday. That is only 9 : 1 leverage in es.

3 contracts for 150k is a joke. You would have to make 80 es points just to pass the combine. You may as well just hand your combine money over to them and don't waste time attempting to pass it.

Yes, I would trade only one lot for the 50k combine. And why on God's green earth would you trade the ES? Ahh, nevermind, we've been through this before. I've seen many traders pass the combine trading 2 lots of oil on 100k combines and no more then 3 lots on 150k with oil.

And only 9 to 1 leverage? Jesus, this website is a joke. You guys with your lingo of "winning" and "losing" and only 9 to 1 leverage and suddenly trends qualify as quantifiable edges? And my all time fav from ET, risk 20 ticks in ES to scalp one! LOL.

 

[ScalperJoe]

Now how about this as a solution: same exact combine parameters across the board, one lone change. Instead of needing to meet a minimum profit goal in ten or twenty sessions, make it a whatever profit goal without limit.

For example, a $50K combine must make it to $5k profits eventually without violating any other current stipulations.

The clock had started. Eliminate that clock => encourage more disciplined behavior.

That's a valid point.

The 50k/100k/150k accounts all have HIGHER profit objectives DURING the combine period vs. the "Junior Trader" period, which has NO time limit to reach the profit goal before reaching Senior Trader.

For example:

The 50k requires $3,500 during the combine, and $2,000 as a Junior Trader.

The 100k requires $8,500 during the combine, and $3,000 as a Junior Trader.

The 150k requires $12,000 during the combine, and $4,500 as a Junior Trader.

Only the 30k account has the same profit objective of $1,500 during the combine period and as a Junior Trader.

Since there are additional rules to follow as a Junior Trader, it's understandable that the profit goals are lowered, and the time limits are eliminated.

However, if the majority of traders engage in riskier strategies and trades during the combine given the time constraints, then they lower their chances of success while they are funded, and thus get sent back to the combine.

 

[Maverick74]

That's a valid point.

The 50k/100k/150k accounts all have HIGHER profit objectives DURING the combine period vs. the "Junior Trader" period, which has NO time limit to reach the profit goal before reaching Senior Trader.

For example:

The 50k requires $3,500 during the combine, and $2,000 as a Junior Trader.

The 100k requires $8,500 during the combine, and $3,000 as a Junior Trader.

The 150k requires $12,000 during the combine, and $4,500 as a Junior Trader.

Only the 30k account has the same profit objective of $1,500 during the combine period and as a Junior Trader.

Since there are additional rules to follow as a Junior Trader, it's understandable that the profit goals are lowered, and the time limits are eliminated.

However, if the majority of traders engage in riskier strategies and trades during the combine given the time constraints, then they lower their chances of success while they are funded, and thus get sent back to the combine.

Do they still let you do custom combines where you can determine your own profit goal? If they do, I'm not sure I understand why all the focus on hitting the profit objectives.

 

[ScalperJoe]

Do they still let you do custom combines where you can determine your own profit goal? If they do, I'm not sure I understand why all the focus on hitting the profit objectives.

Yes, you can modify some of the parameters, not the time limt.

See the examples in the link.

http://help.topsteptrader.com/knowl...ample-of-an-approved-custom-combine-objective

The debate here is not whether one can hit the profit objective, it's whether or not they can do it WITHIN the time constraints of the combine period while meeting all of the other parameters..

 

[ScalperJoe]

Here's one of their custom examples where you can modify the time restriction:

1. Although the profit target is increased from $1,500 to $2,000, it gives you 10 days over 60 calendar days to cherry pick your trading days, rather than 30 calendar days.

2. The combine won't penalize you if you traded a product where you took a draw, realized you don't want to trade that product anymore, and thus won't require you to make up the draw to get "net positive" by the end of the combine (as long as the other parameters are met, of course).


Example 4:

Account Parameters:

Duration: 10-day Combine (to be completed within 60 calendar days)

Starting Balance: $30,000

Max Position Size: 3

Daily Loss Limit: $500

Max Drawdown: $1,500


Combine Objective:

Profit: $2,000

Ground Rules:

I will trade the required number of days (10)

I will always implement stops with an open position

I will only trade permitted products, during the permitted times


Fundamental Rules:

I will achieve an Overall Winning Day percentage of 55 or greater

I will ensure my Largest Losing Day will not hit or exceed Daily Loss Limit

I will ensure my Account Balance will not hit or exceed my Trailing Max Drawdown (Account Balance High - Max Drawdown = Trailing Max Drawdown)


Rollover/Deposit Refund Requirements:

I will follow all of the agreed upon rules above and profit $500 or more.

This Custom Combine Objective has a raised Profit Target and a Rollover/Refund requirement because one of the Fundamental Rules was removed. “I will achieve a Trading Average greater than $0 for each product traded.”

 

[Maverick74]

Here's one of their custom examples where you can modify the time restriction:

1. Although the profit target is increased from $1,500 to $2,000, it gives you 10 days over 60 calendar days to cherry pick your trading days, rather than 30 calendar days.

2. The combine won't penalize you if you traded a product where you took a draw, realized you don't want to trade that product anymore, and thus won't require you to make up the draw to get "net positive" by the end of the combine (as long as the other parameters are met, of course).


Example 4:

Account Parameters:

Duration: 10-day Combine (to be completed within 60 calendar days)

Starting Balance: $30,000

Max Position Size: 3

Daily Loss Limit: $500

Max Drawdown: $1,500


Combine Objective:

Profit: $2,000

Ground Rules:

I will trade the required number of days (10)

I will always implement stops with an open position

I will only trade permitted products, during the permitted times


Fundamental Rules:

I will achieve an Overall Winning Day percentage of 55 or greater

I will ensure my Largest Losing Day will not hit or exceed Daily Loss Limit

I will ensure my Account Balance will not hit or exceed my Trailing Max Drawdown (Account Balance High - Max Drawdown = Trailing Max Drawdown)


Rollover/Deposit Refund Requirements:

I will follow all of the agreed upon rules above and profit $500 or more.

This Custom Combine Objective has a raised Profit Target and a Rollover/Refund requirement because one of the Fundamental Rules was removed. “I will achieve a Trading Average greater than $0 for each product traded.”

That's exactly what Austin is looking for! He can cherry pick the very best of the best trading days.

 

[austinp]

The debate here is not whether one can hit the profit objective, it's whether or not they can do it WITHIN the time constraints of the combine period while meeting all of the other parameters..

precisely right. What's the point of all these custom combines anyways? That's just man's answer to complicating the complicated.

50K Combine Rules: Trade whatever symbols you want, any amount of contracts you want, any way you see fit. Max loss intraday is -$1,000 and -$2,000 max

Once you reach +$10,000 gains without breaking any combine rules, you graduate to junior trader status automatically without question. When that may happen is open-ended, no deadline.

Then from that point on you follow junior trader rules to senior trader rules, etc.

Show me the flawed logic there, mav

 

[austinp]

That's exactly what Austin is looking for! He can cherry pick the very best of the best trading days.

Only thing I'm looking to cherry-pick are +5pt TF trades intraday. Currently in a slight draw for the session, idle until past the 2pm Fed history lesson release.

If and when TST ever offers Russell futures, I'm interested. Until then, I'm uninterested

 

[smallStops]

As you have unsuccessfully attempted many combines, I would assume that if you explain to them that allowing Russell futures would remove the 'barriers to success' for you, they would do their best to introduce this.

 

[Maverick74]

Only thing I'm looking to cherry-pick are +5pt TF trades intraday. Currently in a slight draw for the session, idle until past the 2pm Fed history lesson release.

If and when TST ever offers Russell futures, I'm interested. Until then, I'm uninterested

I guess your love with oil is over? Now you do remember how you went on and on and on and on about how oil was the best thing since the wheel.