Does the trader effect affect robust trading systems?

[Cartman]

i could blow up my account when the xjo hits its new lows again (if i am still long).

one word ST ---- trailing stops ----- ok two words

what kind of position sizing strategy do you adopt cartier?

i use the 'karate kid' position strategy ------ i scale in, i scale out -----

 

[Sicilian Trader]

do you employ an % strategy when you scale in and out? or is it based on confidence levels ie , when a trade is moving in your favour or not?

 

[Cartman]

do you employ an % strategy when you scale in and out? or is it based on confidence levels ie , when a trade is moving in your favour or not?

ST --- im basically a discretionary trader and trade shorter time frames than most, so any thing i say could possibly be used against me ----

in other words --- dont do what i do unless it suits yr trading style and/or the amount of time you are planning to trade over ---- these days i choose short time frames for personal reasons which 'suit' my life style ---- ie u may be young and have lots of years ahead of u ---- i may be in a different situation

but to answer yr question in general --------- instead of placing a trade up front, which might represent a risk of 1-2% of my capital base ---- i'll scale into that trade in possibly 10 or 20% increments of that initial 1-2% ----

sometimes i will average down on the first 3 to 5 positions if i think the trade still has merit, but usually, if the first 3 positions go pear shaped, its a pretty fair sign i've stuffed up the T/A and i should put my tail between my legs and run away

if the trade runs in my favour from the outset, i'll try and buy into the retracements to add to the position ----- no rocket science with me --- it either works or it doesnt ----- by scaling in/out u lessen yr initial exposure to losses --------- and u can give yr first position a bit more wiggle room b4 u have to shut it down ---------

hope that makes some sense