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Discretionary vs. Mechanical Trading

tech/a

No Ordinary Duck
Joined
14 October 2004
Posts
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Well thats incredible.

I cannot find 1 credible/verifyable piece of evidence in the closed thread on this topic that advances the initial argument that discretionary trading is consistantly profitable.

Wayne I dont want or expect you or ANYONE ELSE who would like to give a decent demonstration of discretionary trading to disclose their methodology.

Simply Buy here and or stop there and or exit if this happens.

You know the single most common reason for people not posting a continuous trade log is the embarrassment of making a loss.
I'd post one myself but you could lay odds that if it made a loss I'd be accused of tampering with the discretion!

I say who cares if it wins or loses (On a personal level).
On an EDUCATIONAL/DISCUSSION level it has the potential of being highly rewarding to those who take part---wether positive in learning how to trade profitably CONSISTENTLY in a discretionary manner or ways to improve perhaps something you do now.

No wonder people dont want to post a live trade log----Look at the crap I get and mines highly profitable----imagine the bollicking I'd be getting if it made a loss. (Which of course most would prefer!)

Come on people how about posting some content!
This is an important topic as its how most trade and how most lose their capital in the longer term.
 
Re: Discretionary V Mechanical Trading


Hullo Tech,

I trade discretionary with my own methodology, sometimes I stuff up, well thats happening more now .
I think its the manipulators that do this to me, but there maybe something else .

Trade from home & get too many people dropping in just when I need solitude & lose the plot

Bob.
 
Re: Discretionary V Mechanical Trading


I get sidetracked with Kiss dvd`s and my guitar, japanese studies and all other daily life crap. I need an igloo or something. :band
 
Re: Discretionary V Mechanical Trading

Tech, what is your definition of dicretionary trading?

It sounds to me that Nick R trades in a somewhat discretionary manner. While NR sets a stop and a target for each trade (and hence has a prior risk reward expectancy), he has no qualms about about exiting a winning trade early or letting it run (stops are fixed though).

Look at NR's reply to Sam's question:
http://lightning.he.net/cgi-bin/suid/~reefcap/ultimatebb.cgi?ubb=get_topic;f=25;t=000139;p=2

The point is that he updates his percentages after each trade, and if something is amiss, he works out why - to me this is discretionary.

I think everyone is getting 'all het up' over what is infact relatively minor differences in trading styles. We are all trying to do the same thing - let winners run and quickly cut losers. This can be achieved within both a purely mechanical and partially discretionary frameworks.
 
Re: Discretionary V Mechanical Trading

Tech

Just so you know, I won't be participating for the following reasons:

1/ This has now become an acrimonious topic and I have no intention of fanning the flames further.

2/ As stated before, I am primarily concerned with maintaining my psychology. Posting trades live, apart from the odd spi trade, I am not interested in. For me to do that, it would be contingent on me to unfailingly and religiously post the next 1000 trades. I just don't care to do it, and it is not important to me to prove I am profitable to people I have never met.

In case you missed it. I don't have a challenge with mechanical systems or your system in particular. I have it archived for future reference, in case my circumstances ever change. Like buying or starting a separate business for instance. I regularly refer friends of mine to have a look at your work. I will also continue to do so despite whatever opinions I may hold of the online persona of Tech/a. I am on record on several fora as saying exactly that.

Now I can't get any plainer than that can I? I am not critisizing your method! I do not want it to fail!

However I will repeat, it is not suitable for me at present. I am satisfied with what I am doing.

'nuff said!!!

On a further matter for all. As moderator, and bearing in mind the recent history of this topic, I will not stand for any acrimony in this thread and that includes myself. I will ruthlessly edit any hint of the same. I know I have Joe's support in that endeavour.

So please, good discussions all.

Cheers
 
Re: Discretionary V Mechanical Trading

What works for one trader may not work for another. Why? Psychology, and comfort, risk aversion levels are different.

A system doesn`t have to be computerized, mechanical or discretionary. It can be what works for the psychology in question. Get it right, your head sorted, and you are there as long as you have a system to trade.

Why have a system? To help a trader to make trades, much like a blue print or set of guidelines. (Once again depending on your head)

What is the common goal? Ultimately to be profitable. To what extent is up the the persons in question. This is where the discretionary vs mechanical debate comes into question. Matching two different approaches to different psychology cannot be adequately tested for definitive conclusions regarding the debate.
 
Re: Discretionary V Mechanical Trading

You know the single most common reason for people not posting a continuous trade log is the embarrassment of making a loss.

I don`t think that is the case.
I would say most don`t know where they are at which may lead to some having this view. :alien2:
 
Re: Discretionary V Mechanical Trading

Snake Pliskin said:
I get sidetracked with Kiss dvd`s and my guitar, japanese studies and all other daily life crap. I need an igloo or something. :band

Hi Snake,
Yep getting sidetracked sure can stuff your trading, thinking of locking my outer gates in the day with a sign !.

Had a tourist enterprise a few years ago, one day a young japanese girl came in & we got on, so she helped me out for the next few days being paid for her efforts.
Well we got real friendly I found her wonderful even though we had a language problem.
Got to ask you , do they like the western male in Japan ?

Bob.
 
Re: Discretionary V Mechanical Trading


Snake,

love that term of yours the bizzo, Ah ah ahaah, thats funny !.

Bob.
 
Re: Discretionary V Mechanical Trading


Duc, Tech,

I have dropped it, I am asking you once again, nicely.... please move on.
 
Re: Discretionary V Mechanical Trading

Happy to do so.
But before I do would like an apology re the claim that my statement about discretionary trading was/is BS.

You've chosen to use censorship as your means of retort to our answers/evidence and opinions suppoting that infact the veiw is anything but BS.
If your not prepared to verify your statements then I personally want an apology.
 
Re: Discretionary V Mechanical Trading


Tech,

Your posts were deleted because they contained derogatory remarks. Pure and simple. I made it plain I would do so.

I won't censor any reasonable discussion without reference to individuals.

Please continue on.

Cheers
 
Re: Discretionary V Mechanical Trading

Hang on.

You make a statement I refer to you the person who made the statement/s.
When I we refer to the person (and in future) any person to verify statements or check their statements or refute them then you delete posts.
Bulldust can sling inuendo and attempt to discredit and thats fine as it suits you?
You can call another posters comment BS and thats fine.

You cant have a set of rules for you and another for he rest of us.

Give me an apology you've handled this in a less than exemplory manner.
Then I"ll move on.
 
Re: Discretionary V Mechanical Trading

I am happy for this thread to remain and for discussion on this topic to continue as long as participants refrain from personal attacks or making derogatory remarks about others. I am not naming any names or pointing any fingers as I did not personally see the posts in question, but if this thread is to continue the topic of discussion should be discretionary vs mechanical trading. There is no need to bring indivduals and their trading styles into it unless they volunteer that information themselves and make it a part of the discussion.

Please, lets keep it civil. Surely its not that hard.
 
Re: Discretionary V Mechanical Trading

Think you better read the thread Joe and see where things were instigated.
Weve ALWAYS been on topic.
With Ducati's banning I really think someone has blown a fuse!!!

Still want the apology he was/is outa line.
 
Re: Discretionary V Mechanical Trading

tech/a said:
Think you better read the thread Joe and see where things were instigated.
Weve ALWAYS been on topic.
With Ducati's banning I really think someone has blown a fuse!!!

Still want the apology he was/is outa line.

That's another personal inference Tech, please, keep to the topic. If you really want to vent, go to PM.

Cheers
 
Re: Discretionary V Mechanical Trading

tech/a said:
Think you better read the thread Joe and see where things were instigated.
Weve ALWAYS been on topic.
With Ducati's banning I really think someone has blown a fuse!!!

Still want the apology he was/is outa line.

Tech,

The initial thread was started by Wayne and made reference to remarks made by yourself but subsequently the thread turned excessively personal and was closed. This new thread was opened and Wayne indicated that he did not wish to participate or be involved in the discussion. Now from that point, for him to be brought into the discussion by others, is both provocative and, in my view, unacceptable.

Ducati has now been unbanned but as I said, I expect discussion in this thread to remain on topic and do not want it to turn into a repeat of the other thread.

If you honestly feel that an apology is owed to you then I suggest you contact Wayne by PM and settle it off the forums.
 
Re: Discretionary V Mechanical Trading

Snake Pliskin said:
Here is an interesting link to someone who knows a lot about trading and is very reputable.
http://www.mastermindforum.com/phorum/read.php?f=9&i=13096&t=13055

From the link:
"This system fits me and my schedule. It's also very profitable. I understand it very well. It's too discretionary to test, so I keep track of my R-multiples and expectancy in real time". :alien2:
 
Re: Discretionary V Mechanical Trading

tech/a

Your PM box is full baby...........empty some out!

jog on
d998
 
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