Why is it easier hitting a Stop then a Limit???

Jul 24, 2017 at 13:53
Vues 635
14 Replies
Membre depuis Jun 14, 2017   posts 6
Jul 24, 2017 at 13:53
Hi,

I'm relatively new to FX trading and currently working through the battles of becoming a better trader & building an effective strategy.

One of my weaknesses at the moment is dealing with trades going in my favor! I'ts crazy to think i'm comfortable with a trade hitting my stop, because I have already accepted the risk and the amount i'm willing to lose. But when a trade is going in my favor my behavior changes and I start questioning myself 'Should I change the limit?' or 'When should I place a trailing stop?' 'Should I just leave it?'

I understand that placing a trailing-stop will depend on the volatility of the currency pair however I am just interested to see if anyone else has had the same psychological problem?

If you have, do you have any words of wisdom you could share?

Thanks,

Ben
ben@
Membre depuis Jun 06, 2016   posts 1
Jul 25, 2017 at 06:31
Hi Benjam,

I can relate to this 100%. I felt like the universe was always against me.
Membre depuis Feb 12, 2016   posts 522
Aug 02, 2017 at 08:00
Perhaps, once T/P and S/L are placed - do not move it.
Or, if you be more satisfied when the price is coming to your T/P level, just close a half of the positions, take some profit and then move the Limit to another level :)
Membre depuis Nov 21, 2011   posts 1718
Aug 02, 2017 at 10:57
If you are in demo
If your mind is upside down while trading, try for fun to reverse your psychology.

If your risk reward is 1:2 => do the opposite 2:1 so for example SL = 100 & TP = 50
Never touch your SL.
when trade isn't in your favor... reduce tp even below entry price for Long or above entry price for sell....when your initial SL level should have been hit.
This way while losing, you will try to exist with minimun loss with volatility.

After sometime, see how you feel.... isn't still easier to hit SL?
Membre depuis Jun 07, 2017   posts 12
Aug 03, 2017 at 09:56
The spread always makes it more likely that the stop loss will be hit then the take profit.
Membre depuis Feb 12, 2016   posts 427
Aug 03, 2017 at 11:22
I agree with BaldoN here. Closing part of the order is one way to take more profit. Just do not panic or start acting with enthusiasm. Like how you accepted the S/L level when placing the order, accept the take profit level too. Leave it like it is or close the order partially and continue to monitor.
Accept the loss as experience
Membre depuis Jun 14, 2017   posts 6
Aug 03, 2017 at 11:25
BaldoN posted:
Perhaps, once T/P and S/L are placed - do not move it.
Or, if you be more satisfied when the price is coming to your T/P level, just close a half of the positions, take some profit and then move the Limit to another level :)

Thanks for the advice! I have tried this on my recent profitable trades and by securing profit while staying in the trade definitely makes placing the second limit easier.

Thanks
ben@
Membre depuis Jun 14, 2017   posts 6
Aug 03, 2017 at 11:27
CrazyTrader posted:
If you are in demo
If your mind is upside down while trading, try for fun to reverse your psychology.

If your risk reward is 1:2 => do the opposite 2:1 so for example SL = 100 & TP = 50
Never touch your SL.
when trade isn't in your favor... reduce tp even below entry price for Long or above entry price for sell....when your initial SL level should have been hit.
This way while losing, you will try to exist with minimun loss with volatility.

After sometime, see how you feel.... isn't still easier to hit SL?

I like your thinking here! Unfortunately not in a demo, however I will give this a shot with a small amount, I am open to trying anything if it will help me improve.

Thanks,

Ben
ben@
Membre depuis Jun 14, 2017   posts 6
Aug 03, 2017 at 11:27
Aleixo1 posted:
The spread always makes it more likely that the stop loss will be hit then the take profit.

Hi Aleixo1,

Sorry I didn't make it clear. The point i'm making is when I setup a SL & TP, if the trade is going against me physiologically i'm good and don't move my stop and clearly have accepted I was wrong and the amount i'm happy to lose. BUT when the trade is in the direction of my TP, I am constantly second guessing if it's in the right spot, should I change to a dynamic trailing stop......

Just wondering if the indecision is something all traders are facing? or just me lol

Thanks,

Ben
ben@
Membre depuis Oct 28, 2015   posts 51
Aug 03, 2017 at 17:10
well we all face the same dilemma I guess you need to analyze your currency and identify exit signals. that way once they materialize you exit.
Prayer is the True Power that controls the World.
Membre depuis Sep 12, 2015   posts 1948
Aug 03, 2017 at 17:25
Hey Ben, that is normal for beginning traders ,here's a few tips: One way to lessen the doubt over limit is use the longer time frames and check the Fib levels/support /resistance you shouldn't really set a TP limit but have a set limit in your mind and watch the trade when it gets close to that level, I wouldn't really advise a trailing stop but its personal choice, cutting 3/4 of a position is normal practice,you should be more worried about it hitting your stop, protecting capital is key,that way you will make wiser trades and more profitable.
"They mistook leverage with genius".
Membre depuis Jul 09, 2017   posts 1
Aug 04, 2017 at 11:46
I would highly recommend trading a demo account. It lets you learn without having to much emotion involved. My growth as a trader only really took place on demo because I was much more objective in my trades. Also under a demo account I would suggest doing a set and forget practice. That is where you identify a trade and let the trade play out without touching the TP or SL. It forces you to make better decisions and it teaches you how to handle your emotions. I did 300 trades like this and went back and analyzed the trades which gave me great insight into my strengths and weaknesses. I was less concerned with the outcome and more concerned about learning. Just my 2 cents.
Membre depuis Jun 14, 2017   posts 6
Aug 06, 2017 at 06:47
snapdragon1970 posted:
Hey Ben, that is normal for beginning traders ,here's a few tips: One way to lessen the doubt over limit is use the longer time frames and check the Fib levels/support /resistance you shouldn't really set a TP limit but have a set limit in your mind and watch the trade when it gets close to that level, I wouldn't really advise a trailing stop but its personal choice, cutting 3/4 of a position is normal practice,you should be more worried about it hitting your stop, protecting capital is key,that way you will make wiser trades and more profitable.

Hi Kieran, thanks for your input. Two goals for me next week;

1: Don't place a TP initially, only price alerts. When a price alert is hit, at this point I will place the TP.

2: Focus on the pip value rather than the $ value, I am keen to see how this effects my way of thinking!

Really appreciate your comments & everyone else taking the time to respond.

Thanks,

Ben
ben@
Membre depuis Jun 14, 2017   posts 6
Aug 06, 2017 at 06:48
panovak2 posted:
I would highly recommend trading a demo account. It lets you learn without having to much emotion involved. My growth as a trader only really took place on demo because I was much more objective in my trades. Also under a demo account I would suggest doing a set and forget practice. That is where you identify a trade and let the trade play out without touching the TP or SL. It forces you to make better decisions and it teaches you how to handle your emotions. I did 300 trades like this and went back and analyzed the trades which gave me great insight into my strengths and weaknesses. I was less concerned with the outcome and more concerned about learning. Just my 2 cents.

Hi Panovak, appreciate the 2 cents! I do agree that trading with a demo enables you to learn without to much emotion involved & the set & forget has been added to the list! No doubt I will be switching between Demo & Live over the coming months while I am still learning, and testing different methods. Is this what you did? Or continue to do? (Trade both demo & Live)

I have fully accepted that even going back to the drawing board & spending greater time on a demo, initially I will make mistakes, wrong decisions..... But I intend to document it, & learn from it.

Who knows, I may not have what it takes! but I will give it a good shot.

Thanks,

Ben
ben@
Membre depuis Apr 27, 2017   posts 16
Aug 07, 2017 at 14:11
It is not actually easier to hit a stop than a limit. Run an EA to test it and you will see. There is a 50:50 chance.
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