#@$%$# MODEM!

Yes it was one of those weeks for your intrepid trader here. My trades were clicking and I was feeling good.Then Tuesday afternoon I began to have trouble with my data feeds and various other functions. I thought it was probably my system so I rebooted a few times and that seemed to help. Wednesday I closed out an excellent holdover trade and shutdown to go to a meeting. When I got back, I couldn't log on.Try as I might, nothing happened. My ISP was down.As it was late in the day, I decided not to try to use my backup which is slow. Thursday rolls around and it's still down. I try to use my backup, but it was so slow I was afraid I would get whacked. The market was moving fast the way I like it, but with a slow feed you can get smashed.So for once I used my better judgement and probably saved myself some major losses.My rule is not to use my backup unless I have open positions when the system goes down.Even though that is my rule it is so hard not to break when you watch events happening and you see that fast moving market blasting across the tv screen on CNBC and BLOOMBERG TV. It is almost unbearable. So what do I do. Break my rule? Nope, I get out and away. I don't go near my computer. I hang out with my kids. In the end it saves my butt. Friday was down as well and the week was done.Luckily my trades early in the week were killers so it was still profitable.My server finally rectified the problem and I was hooked up again by 8pm Friday. Guess what doesn't trade at 8pm on Friday??!!! You know it.

So not only did I not get much trading done, I didn't get any sights reviewed. So you'll just have to make do with this Greek trading tragedy. Can we learn anything from this? Yes, because the last time I used my backup to open a day position, I took an $1200 hit in ten minutes.I didn't have the speed I needed and I don't have the access to the same news sources with it.Don't break your own rules. If your system isn't working you might have to rewrite your rules, but don't change in midtrade. That's a bashing everytime. The sharks are looking for undisciplined traders and they will use their trick bag to draw you out and steal your money. And you will deserve to lose it because you broke your rules. I will soon be posting my book here for sale and a newsletter that discusses rules and systems for the uncomplicated trader.

Go To Page: 1 2

Articles in this Topic    Discussions in this Topic