Swing sizes

The sport of kings.
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stueytrader
Posts: 912
Joined: Tue Dec 15, 2015 6:47 pm

Just a little issue I've been wondering about, in the mechanics of trading.

We have the terms 'scalp' and also 'swing' in our trading to represent different moves. Obviously, one very small and one very big basically.

But are there terms around that differentiate this a bit more fine-tuned? In other words, many trades might fall above a scalp level in terms of movement, but not a huge change in odds, so 'swing' might seem too big a term to represent it.

I just wondered if there has even been any much more defined groupings or terms created to discuss the amount of trading change we might see or use?

This is not an essential aspect in some ways, but I believe might help in our wider understanding of trading movement as a concept.
Alpha322
Posts: 1084
Joined: Fri Oct 30, 2009 4:45 pm

stueytrader wrote:
Mon Sep 14, 2026 12:28 pm
Just a little issue I've been wondering about, in the mechanics of trading.

We have the terms 'scalp' and also 'swing' in our trading to represent different moves. Obviously, one very small and one very big basically.

But are there terms around that differentiate this a bit more fine-tuned? In other words, many trades might fall above a scalp level in terms of movement, but not a huge change in odds, so 'swing' might seem too big a term to represent it.

I just wondered if there has even been any much more defined groupings or terms created to discuss the amount of trading change we might see or use?

This is not an essential aspect in some ways, but I believe might help in our wider understanding of trading movement as a concept.
Big swing Trades i go for 5 (Scale then let it run as far as it wants once it shows strong movement i add back half the scale then close when market is about to turn or where the range starts to show a lower amount of orders matched. Scalp i do on Big markets like Cheltenham or Group races as i put through alot for shorter move, very rare to get 15 tick move in these types of meetings therefore as a Swing Trader you have to put thorough more.Using the Servants mops up the mess clean :mrgreen:
stueytrader
Posts: 912
Joined: Tue Dec 15, 2015 6:47 pm

Good examples, thanks. Yes, we'd all love a massive swing in our favour, but of course often have to make do with something bit smaller in reality! :)
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Trader724
Posts: 602
Joined: Fri Dec 27, 2019 11:22 pm

stueytrader wrote:
Mon Sep 14, 2026 12:28 pm

But are there terms around that differentiate this a bit more fine-tuned?
A failed scalp.
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Euler
Posts: 27738
Joined: Wed Nov 10, 2010 1:39 pm

Really, what you should be doing is looking at a strategy and saying, "Is it suitable for this market?"

So if we have a novice or a maiden race, you're going to get a large move in the market, and therefore that's essentially what you're looking for.

One thing that's frustrated me slightly is that people have had this debate about scalping or swing trading, when in fact a swing trade is very specific. It's something where the price goes to an extreme and then comes back. So what it may be that you're looking for is a large trend to develop rather than a swing trade.

Well, you could be looking for the complete opposite. You don't want it to move, in which case you're looking at a highly competitive handicap with decent prize money.
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