I must admit that when I first stumbled across this site and found my way to the "trading systems" section, I had a feeling rush through me akin to that cliche turn of the 20th century swashbuckling treasure hunter. You know, the guy that after a big thrilling and death defying adventure, rolls away that big stone door and is immediately blinded by golden light glinting off piles of bounty.
"One of these systems is going to make me consistently profitable!"
I thought to myself.
Days, weeks later and I've yet to find myself consistently profitable on a demo, using any system and/or a combination of systems, but then again I could use stricter money management.
I haven't studied nearly as many systems; or even all of them as thoroughly as many of the members here I am sure. However, today, while making my rounds through another one of the multitudinous, labyrinth, thousand page threads, I began to ask the paramount question of my journey: Is the system profitable of its own function? Or is it the sheer experience of the trader at work behind the scenes, that molds the system to suit his or her purposes. How many of you trade strictly your systems?
If there is an exception for every rule, a break for every trend, how much more so in a market that whipsaws through hard and fast rules at a whim.
So, who really trades by the rule? The exact touch off their EMA, or a pivot point. And who trades by the exception? Is the profitable trader the one who has seen just about every movement, and just as he is about to trade his indicators, knows something isn't right and forgoes clicking that sell button. Only to watch the market go against all of his indicators, exactly where his experience subconsciously told him.
For example; when I set up a configuration for myself in a video game, when I adjust my car seat to my idea of perfection on a track day, it's not simply because the configuration works, or the seat is comfortable. It must also be that I have grown accustomed to these configurations, and am able to perform within them, not simply because of them. For if that was simply the configuration wouldn't a single configuration work for everyone? (Of course, people are of different configurations as well, but elaborating on that would extend the argument beyond the scope of this post I believe. )
Of everything I've read here thus far, and I will continue reading, learning. I think one post sticks out in my mind the most. Paraphrased it is: "What works is the combination of a vague system + experience." And I most definitely believe that now.
As for that treasure, those systems. I still believe that they all do indeed glisten, but it takes a good dusting off and polishing from someone who has experience in detailing-rather than a mere thrill seeker-to make them shine.
I know at this point, many of you are thinking, DUH! Especially those of you who are the pinnacle of experience and profitability on these forums. Yes, this is a reiteration of what some of you believe, or know, but I am also asking, your opinion, what do you believe? If and when and why do you trade the exception and not the rule? And is this flexibility borne simply of experience? The System....Or the Trader?
Thanks for your time and consideration.
"One of these systems is going to make me consistently profitable!"
I thought to myself.
Days, weeks later and I've yet to find myself consistently profitable on a demo, using any system and/or a combination of systems, but then again I could use stricter money management.
I haven't studied nearly as many systems; or even all of them as thoroughly as many of the members here I am sure. However, today, while making my rounds through another one of the multitudinous, labyrinth, thousand page threads, I began to ask the paramount question of my journey: Is the system profitable of its own function? Or is it the sheer experience of the trader at work behind the scenes, that molds the system to suit his or her purposes. How many of you trade strictly your systems?
If there is an exception for every rule, a break for every trend, how much more so in a market that whipsaws through hard and fast rules at a whim.
So, who really trades by the rule? The exact touch off their EMA, or a pivot point. And who trades by the exception? Is the profitable trader the one who has seen just about every movement, and just as he is about to trade his indicators, knows something isn't right and forgoes clicking that sell button. Only to watch the market go against all of his indicators, exactly where his experience subconsciously told him.
For example; when I set up a configuration for myself in a video game, when I adjust my car seat to my idea of perfection on a track day, it's not simply because the configuration works, or the seat is comfortable. It must also be that I have grown accustomed to these configurations, and am able to perform within them, not simply because of them. For if that was simply the configuration wouldn't a single configuration work for everyone? (Of course, people are of different configurations as well, but elaborating on that would extend the argument beyond the scope of this post I believe. )
Of everything I've read here thus far, and I will continue reading, learning. I think one post sticks out in my mind the most. Paraphrased it is: "What works is the combination of a vague system + experience." And I most definitely believe that now.
As for that treasure, those systems. I still believe that they all do indeed glisten, but it takes a good dusting off and polishing from someone who has experience in detailing-rather than a mere thrill seeker-to make them shine.
I know at this point, many of you are thinking, DUH! Especially those of you who are the pinnacle of experience and profitability on these forums. Yes, this is a reiteration of what some of you believe, or know, but I am also asking, your opinion, what do you believe? If and when and why do you trade the exception and not the rule? And is this flexibility borne simply of experience? The System....Or the Trader?
Thanks for your time and consideration.
Thank you Lux!