Adam trader

[hgodden]

Most of the traders i have seen,
wouldn't be able to tell you even if they wanted to .

Yeah explaining how you trade is almost like a centipedal question... They once asked the centipede how it managed to walk with so many legs, so he explained to them, 'first I put this foot forward, then this one, then this one' etc etc

Only trouble is after that he couldn't walk anymore

[Euler]

Contrary to popular opinion, it is possible to encapsulate succesful trading into a set of rules. You still have to do it though from that point onwards and therein lies some skill.

[Iron]

Contrary to popular opinion, it is possible to encapsulate succesful trading into a set of rules.

I don't suppose you'd mind sharing those rules?

Jeff

[Euler]

Lay low, back high

[hgodden]

I guess it all depends on what you're doing and your level of understanding of the markets. I tried to teach a friend of mine who lost his job exactly the kind of things I do without holding anything back, but in spite of a lot of effort and time (and he's an intelligent guy) he just couldn't get it. Could just be the fault of my teaching skills of course!

[Euler]

I did a similar thing with similar results. It is a curious situation, but mindset obviously does play a part and that is learned as well I guess.

[Innertube]

Everybody needs a bit of skill whatever they do.

[JollyGreen]

I guess it all depends on what you're doing and your level of understanding of the markets. I tried to teach a friend of mine who lost his job exactly the kind of things I do without holding anything back, but in spite of a lot of effort and time (and he's an intelligent guy) he just couldn't get it. Could just be the fault of my teaching skills of course!

You are not alone, I have worked with many people in an attempt to help them trade and it is rarely easy. I believe too many people are conditioned to think in a certain way. They want compartmentalised processes and straight lines and sadly trading doesn't work that way.

[Zenyatta]

Trading is too hard for the average person. Case in point, me. I've been trying for over a year on the UK Horse Racing markets, still can't get to grips with it, even after receiving clear explicit instruction and staring at thousands of markets... not a penny of profit.

It's possible that with enough time and effort your average Joe could 'get it', but I conclude that the time and effort required simply is not worth it for the average person, and if they want to bet, they would find conventional punting far easier.

[Iron]

Trading is too hard for the average person. Case in point, me. I've been trying for over a year on the UK Horse Racing markets, still can't get to grips with it, even after receiving clear explicit instruction and staring at thousands of markets... not a penny of profit.

Are you sure you're not trying to hard?

I think the mistake many people make (and I've certainly been guilty of this) is to over-complicate trading.

Why not get back to basics, and try to get to grips with a really simple yet effective technique and then build from there?

Jeff

[JollyGreen]

Jeff

You have pretty much hit the nail on the head! Too many people (no aspersions cast on anyone here) think there must be some magic trick that only the "chosen few" know. If you saw my screen setup you'd probably fall about laughing.

I use an old proven method K.I.S.S - Keep it Simple Stupid!

[rubysglory]

K.I.S.S - have to love it ! Occam's Razor in its rawest form. Sadly not enough of it in the world today.

rg

[Iron]

Thanks Dave

What would you say to a trader who says 'I do keep it nice and simple, but the fact that people like Adam and Peter still make so much more than me means that they must know something I don't - that they possess some secret knowledge that I haven't yet found'?

Jeff

Jeff

You have pretty much hit the nail on the head! Too many people (no aspersions cast on anyone here) think there must be some magic trick that only the "chosen few" know. If you saw my screen setup you'd probably fall about laughing.

I use an old proven method K.I.S.S - Keep it Simple Stupid!

[JollyGreen]

Jeff

I get asked that all the time but when I show them the K.I.S.S method they tend to change their point of view. Of course I accept some will not change but there is little I or anyone else can do for them. It takes practice and discipline and sadly we live in a society where most people want instant gratification and that just isn't going to happen.

Sadly I think the plethora of videos on some sites showing someone profitably trading every market of the day causes newbies or novices to think they must trade every market. There is no rule that says you must trade every market and no rule that says you must risk your money despite not spotting a trend. I sometimes look at a market and think WTF I think I'll pass on this one!

[Zenyatta]

The results of my year long experiment in trading are pretty clear: Any attempt to *react* to the market results in me getting my butt kicked I only win when I can *anticipate* what the market is going to do.

react = get butt kicked
anticipate = win

On the face of it, the only way Adam could be anticipating what is going to happen enough to make those huge amounts is through receiving external sources of information faster than every one else. So yes, no magic required, just good info and getting to the buzzer faster than the competition I suppose.