Welcome all. Mainly lurked on FIO for 2 years now. Been "trading" for probably 3-4. Started in crypto, moved to stocks and options, and now i'm here in the Futures boxing ring. It's been a fairly bumpy ride, haven't lost anything I need so that's cool. Occasionally I need that slap upside the head and that's why i'm making this journal. Currently i'm on an Apex trader 25k challenge. I blew up the live account yesterday, and in total i've passed once on Apex and once on Leeloo (also blown). Truth be told i'm sick of it and want to end my degenerate ways.
Strategy wise: I've started adding in some orderflow tools for scalping. Mainly volume/delta profile and footprint candles, watching the tape, and level 2. This is all momentum scalping or trend reversals. Most of the trades I take have some kind of absorption etc etc.
Tools used: Jigsaw for the DOM, Ninja with RebelAnt DVS (Delta Visualization System), and a support/resistance zone indicator that i've found on the downloads here. DVS is really cool, i'm not an affiliate or a shill for it but i've been searching for something similar to Sierra setups without actually having to pay for Sierra.
Rules: 1 contract per trade only. I can use up to 4, but no thanks.
Hard stop stays in place and will not be moved - currently I run brackets 8pt stop with 15pt take profit. I want to get the stops down a few more points, maybe to 5-6. I don't always let it run the 15 as you'll see, but sometimes i'll let it go longer.
Overall I'd like to pass this challenge and then when I go live this time I'll scale DOWN and trade 3-5 micros instead. Side Note: I'm currently in training as a Locomotive Engineer so there will be days I can't trade as my job is very demanding.
Here we go, day one, 8/19/22. Was up +850 or so in the first few trades and decided to keep going, gave back 700, and then hit a 30 point rip off the reversal. Overtrading has been mainly my worst trait, which then turns into the occasional revenge trading.
Greed is a hell of a drug. First 5 trades all green, 0 MAE. I did my job, but I stood there wanting more. The worst part is that it was great money too, and then I lost about 5 in a row.
Sometimes I trade Sunday and the overnights, but not likely this coming week. Also if anyone has tips, tricks, whatever you want to spill on orderflow or footprint or trading in general, i'm all ears. Have a nice weekend everyone!