What is an edge?

[dbphoenix]

Originally posted by axeman
As a new trader, how do you think your going to beat
all these guys ahead of you with YEARS of fulltime
experience?

Not everyone cares. Not everone wants to beat anybody or become famous or make millions of dollars or live in expensive houses or drive expensive cars blah blah. At least some people enjoy the freedom that trading provides, and if they also make a good living at it, that's enough.

Too many people want and expect too much, which may be why so many beginners (and otherwise) spend so much time trying for home runs rather than being satisfied with singles.

--Db

 

[tntneo]

Originally posted by tntneo
I don't think it's too difficult to get an edge. There are so many ways to have one.

Originally posted by sunnyskies
O, yea?

yeah ! if I put aside mastering self control and emotions, the psychological part.
I know it is a very challenging part. but I wanted to point out that there are many 'methods' which bring a technical edge (as opposed to random trades).
This alone is not enough. So getting a complete edge is difficult and takes time. but again, it's not rocket science or brain surgery.

 

[Josh_B]

Edge and some of the popular definitions of it:

What most want, few have and even fewer realize they do. But for those who do and act, rewards are abundant not only in trading, money, success, but life as a whole.


Josh

 

[limitdown]

first let me say that this is one excellent thread!,

and its threads like these, that come along ever so rarely, that make participation worth the time!

here's my $.02 (2 cents), and after you cash it, you might want to give me change (i.e. not think my comments are worth the time of day)


Trading with an edge...

trading with an edge is what you bring to the table, and makes you throw good money after bad...

trading with an edge is what makes you come to the new trading day, thinking that "this day" is going to be different from the last.

trading with an edge is what makes you participate at your own level. Now, there are some seriously rich and powerful (large size traders) amongst us, however, their edge is totally different for those who don't trade over 100,000 shares PER DAY. Their edge is vastly different from those who trade under 10,000 shares per day. Their edge is supremely different from those who trade less than 1,000 shares per day.

What I've just demonstrated is both your own edge, and their edge. Its basically where on the pyramid one stands, as to how much "cut" that particular "angle" on the "pyramid" has. Hence, having a trading edge is :
1) subjective
2) customized to our participation level
3) directly effected by our "risk tolerance"
4) directly effected by out "capital base", whether we can risk it all, or very conservatively risk the least possible
5) directly effected by our preparation for each trading environment

6) directly effect by our education. Sometimes knowing too much makes us far too conservative, and sometimes not knowing anything gives us the youthful risk element that makes so many younger ones succeed and older ones fail.

One thing is certain, is that the more we delve into these topics, the more we expose what they are, and hence, provide us with an edge, that each of us can use.

Cheers