Topsteptrader

[David Gr]

They've actually made it easier (just like they did with the January 2016 changes, which is why they funded more people in 2016 than they'd done in 2015), but you don't see it. These changes come about through member feedback. People (understandably, in my opinion) wanted the FTP and the Combine to have the same parameters. Don't take my word for it: just read this thread and you'll see them openly saying so. TST has also just abolished the "10-day rule", by popular request.
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They wanted to have the same parameters, but not the same profit target
I was in the chat room

People were finding it hard to suddenly be restricted on what instruments they could trade, and have even tighter restrictions on timescale.

TST have increased the profit target but kept the more restrictive weekly loss limit (which is not in the combine, so it is NOT THE SAME PARAMETERS)

They have increased the profit target, but not the drawdown allowance
The FTP is now harder and more restrictive than the combine

 

[Xela]

So please let's stop pretending it's a $50,000 account.

If you'd actually read the thread you're posting in, you'd know that I've made that same request of TST, myself. I think the "$ titles" by which they refer to the funded account levels are very misleading, and they should rename them according to the number of contracts permitted to be traded.

But of course you're too busy accusing me (totally wrongly!) of being a "shill" actually to have read the thread.

But then we've already seen from your earlier comments about TST that you're very quick on the draw with totally unwarranted accusations that make no sense at all, haven't we?

And as long as that's the case, you'll probably continue to find my posts derogatory. And that's probably because in this instance they are pretty derogatory, because that happens to be what your posts deserve (so at least you managed to judge something correctly, here - well done!

I don't know where you normally post, but nobody in this forum is going to take you very seriously if you think it's reasonable or sensible to trade futures with $800 capital. Where are you posting tomorrow?!)

 

[David Gr]

If you'd actually read the thread you're posting in, you'd know that I've made that same request of TST, myself. I think the "$ titles" by which they refer to the funded account levels are very misleading, and they should rename them according to the number of contracts permitted to be traded.

But of course you're too busy accusing me (totally wrongly!) of being a "shill" actually to have read the thread.

But then we've already seen from your earlier comments about TST that you're very quick on the draw with totally unwarranted accusations that make no sense at all, haven't we?

And as long as that's the case, you'll probably continue to find my posts derogatory. And that's probably because in this instance they are pretty derogatory, because that happens to be what your posts deserve (so at least you managed to judge something correctly, here - well done!

)

Why would I read the history of all your posts on this forum ?
I'm replying to your comments, as you decided to open a debate with me

If that's the way you felt in your previous thread, why did you convey the opposite when responding to my post

All my comments are facts from years of personal experience
As opposed to yours, which are based on no experience with the company at all

I find them derogatory, because you respond in a personal and immature manner, rather than discussing the points I'm raising
You mentioned student loans in one of your posts. Are you quite young ?

 

[Overnight]

...other than it is the value of the contract. Probably means more to the broker.

Yay, we agree on something. Yin meets yang, like your avatar pic. Or something.

 

[algofy]

So please let's stop pretending it's a $50,000 account. At very very best it's $2000

No dog in this fight but I 100% agree with this. It's not a $50,000 account.

 

[algofy]

The notional value is a side issue, the real issue is the margin. I'v been trading the ES for years and my comfort level is around 5k per contract. Could I achieve the same income from using 2-3k?, sure but that would compromise my comfort level and it's not worth it. 4 or 5 hundred per??...would sooner buy lottery tickets. But don't let me discourage you

I agree, I've never got wrapped up in notional. I think notional consideration is more important for spreading and hedging.

 

[SimpleMeLike]

Why not just use a free simulator, and use the money you save not paying for the TST combine, on your own trading account ?

David,

I agree with your post.

But the benefits of TST is:

1. Forces a trader to be discpline with tight drawdown requirements. They paying monthly, so its real emotions.

2. A trader is taking a risk of paying for the combine for about a year, versus using his own tight drawdown ($1500, $2000, etc drawdowns from combine)

As you said, why not just save your own money and paper trader until you get your money right. Yes, that is an option.

Thanks

 

[Pekelo]

1.They wanted to have the same parameters, but not the same profit target
2. so it is NOT THE SAME PARAMETERS)
3. The FTP is now harder and more restrictive than the combine

1. The profit target is part of the parameters.
2. So they lied again, what's new?
3. This actually makes sense at least from thei POV:

What is the point of FTP if it is the same or easier than the Combine? Well maybe to filter out "got lucky" traders. But if you think of their whole hiring process, it makes sense that each following step is harder than the previous one.

Specially that now they have tons of passing traders with a most likely huge failing survival rate when Live. So by making the FTP harder they will get less passing traders but those one most likely will survive longer.

Basically with the changes TST pretended that they listened to traders although they just made the passing process harder.

 

[David Gr]

Having used the TST system for many years, I can say that increasing the profit target by three times what it previously was, has no benefit for the trader. It just makes it a longer process to eventually become funded, wasting the traders time and money

(These comments are based on the most popular '$50,000$ combine')

The old targets were $3,000 in the combine, and $1,000 in the FTP, under strict rules.
If you could achieve this, then that is plenty of evidence you can trade.
It would take a long time to achieve this. Valuable unpaid work the trader has to put in
For years TST claimed they had many successful traders from this

Now with the new targets of $3,000 in the combine, and $3,000 in the FTP.
The trader has to waste more of his/her valuable time, with hard unpaid work
It doesn't prove you're a better trader if you can earn $4,000 or $6,000
It just means their client base spends longer in training, so they have to put less of their money at risk in the funded account

For me, it appears to indicate that TST know their business model is making money out having traders in training. Not trading a live account

 

[SimpleMeLike]

Having used the TST system for many years, I can say that increasing the profit target by three times what it previously was, has no benefit for the trader. It just makes it a longer process to eventually become funded, wasting the traders time and money

(These comments are based on the most popular '$50,000$ combine')

The old targets were $3,000 in the combine, and $1,000 in the FTP, under strict rules.
If you could achieve this, then that is plenty of evidence you can trade.
It would take a long time to achieve this. Valuable unpaid work the trader has to put in
For years TST claimed they had many successful traders from this

Now with the new targets of $3,000 in the combine, and $3,000 in the FTP.
The trader has to waste more of his/her valuable time, with hard unpaid work
It doesn't prove you're a better trader if you can earn $4,000 or $6,000
It just means their client base spends longer in training, so they have to put less of their money at risk in the funded account

For me, it appears to indicate that TST know their business model is making money out having traders in training. Not trading a live account

David,

You make good points. I was in the $50k as well. After the rule change, whice I like the removal of 10 days, i went to $30k. Per my system past results and my work schedule it would take some time to make $6000, ($3000 in combine and $3000 in FTP) AND prevent a drawdown of $2000 two times starting from $0. Well 3 times if you count once I get funded starting from $0 again. That's a big challenge for a trader. And to prevent that drawdown, 1 contract is somewhat a must.

Of course, the best scenario, is for me to prove I can make is to use my own capital and make my own money, but only i know when I need to do that.

I am not complaining against TST just stating some facts and I understand your compliant.

Overall, i am content with TST. I understand the risk, challenge, advantages and disadvantages. But your point is something to think about.