[Date Prev][Date Next][Thread Prev][Thread Next][Date Index][Thread Index]

[amibroker] Re: 'Rule Based' versus 'Discretionary' trading...



PureBytes Links

Trading Reference Links

That's interesting.

Thanks for sharing.... IMO personal testimonies contibute a lot to 
helping people develop as traders....a lot will take heart from your 
>100% performance ...well done.

For research purposes ;-)

... to see if my 'model' predicts your behaviour correctly.

Before you autotraded did you trade it with programmed alerts, 
written rules, by remembering the rules or any combination of the 
above?

I understand you went to AT for convenience (so you don't have to 
stay awake in the middle of the night).

Since you have been autotrading for a while..... have you found any 
additional benefits from it .... any pros and cons?


brian_z


--- In amibroker@xxxxxxxxxxxxxxx, <professor@xxx> wrote:
>
> Brian_z
> 
> I have modified my trading formula several times as I have found a 
few problems where a trade was made that I didn't think should have 
been made by looking at the charts or a trade wasn't made when I 
thought that it should have been made. I am trading automatically so 
I am just checking on the trades that have been made.
> 
> I have set up a backtest that trades within a minute of my actual 
real time trading. I have accomplished this by a having trading 
window that only trades at specific times for 2 minutes.
> 
> What I have found it that my results get better with each change. 
These changes are small changes like I changed my trading times. I 
changed the parameters on one indicator. I added a stop loss and a 
stop profit.
> 
> The amazing thing is that I am not attempting to optimize my 
formula, I am only trying to have it trade exactly as I want it to 
trade and at the best time when the markets are closing. I make a 
change and backtest it. My results have quadrupled on my backtesting 
and on my actual trading. I check my actual trading results by 
backtesting because they should be the same. So when I get an 
automatic real trade, I run the backtest to see if it also shows a 
trade. Of course, the price is slightly different most of the time, 
but not enough to really affect my results. Oh, I use a market trade 
to insure that it is filled as fast as possible. 
> 
> I only make 5 to 10 trades a month. If I told you my annual per 
cent of profit, you would not believe it, but it is well over 100% 
return. I have been trading this system for about a year, but I have 
only been auto trading it for about a month. I only trade gold 
futures both long and short.
> 
> Now that you know the background about my formula, I want to tell 
you that it is so simple. It only has 3 buy conditions and 3 sell 
conditions which are very simple. So, it is possible to use  rule 
based trading with a simple formula especially if you concentrate on 
one area to keep it as simple as possible.
> 
> Tom
> 
> 
>   ----- Original Message ----- 
>   From: brian_z111 
>   To: amibroker@xxxxxxxxxxxxxxx 
>   Sent: Sunday, August 24, 2008 5:24 PM
>   Subject: SV: [amibroker] Re: 'Rule Based' versus 'Discretionary' 
trading...
> 
> 
> 
>   Comments on some quotes from the markets in profile link:
> 
>   >Using rules to make money is, of course, incredibly appealing; 
>   >however, such cut-and-dried rules are seldom accompanied by the 
most 
>   >important rule - a rule to connect, manage, and harmonize all 
the 
>   >other rules.
> 
>   That is what I am saying... in very simplistic terms ... this 
>   requires that we are capable of achieving a psychological point 
of 
>   balance .. from that point of balance we can manage input from 
both 
>   sides of the equation . the left and right brain..... I `wrote 
that 
>   in' when I said that "indefinite/subjective rules are acceptable 
>   provided they lead to a formal rule (statement)".
> 
>   >Dictionary.com defines a rule as "a basic generalization that is 
>   >accepted as true and that can be used as a basis for 
reasoning.." 
>   >Nothing is said about the rule being tested for validity, or how 
the 
>   >rule was derived.
> 
>   There is a section in the Wiki epistemology link, that I posted, 
that 
>   talks about how philosophers define knowledge as "propositions 
that 
>   are believed, justified and true" .. The article then went on to 
say 
>   that in the 60's this definition was invalidated leading to the 
>   addition of the need for INFALLIBLE justification i.e. the 
validity 
>   of the rules is vigorously examined ... this is `old hat'.
> 
>   >There is a bewildering range of variables that affect any 
commodity, 
>   >futures contract, or stock. And there are nearly limitless com-
>   >binations and permutations of these variables. If a purely rules-
>   >based system were to be truly effective, it would have to offer 
a 
>   >rule for each possible arrangement - an impossibility.
> 
>   Not so.
> 
>   In Science it is a well known principle that all models make 
>   assumptions . the assumptions are a trade off for utility value.. 
>   provided the model has predictive value we continue to use it 
until 
>   something better comes along.
> 
>   In trading we do the same thing e.g. we have discussed, in this 
forum 
>   in the past, how the data that we use is only an approximation of 
the 
>   market (it is impossible for exchanges to provide an absolute, 
real 
>   time data stream . and it is getting worse as markets move to non-
>   traditional mechanisms) .. knowing that we can still trade 
>   successfully.
> 
>   When a trader uses, say programmed rules, they are modelling a 
>   limited area of the market i.e. the window that they are 
interested 
>   in, or targetting draws a square around part of the bigger 
picture .. 
>   they know they have only captured a small part of the market, in 
>   their box ... as long as it has some predictive value .. and 
>   continues to have it?
> 
>   >Rules-based systems do not account for contextual market 
conditions, 
>   >and are not adaptive to constantly evolving market con-ditions.
> 
>   I allowed for that . in my manifesto .. contextual market 
conditions 
>   may not be able to be programmed/written down/mentally stated . I 
say 
>   MAY because I can't be certain that other traders don't have 
access 
>   to data that I haven't OR can program/write down/state things 
that I 
>   can't.... also there is nothing to stop a `programmed rules 
trader' 
>   from clicking the button on their computer whenever they want to.
> 
>   Some traders have posted to say that they `look at market 
conditions' 
>   (== subjective/contextual/indefinite?).......... and then decide 
>   which `system' to use i.e. the indefinite rule `guided' them 
towards 
>   a stated rule that precedes the buy action.
> 
>   `Hot' programmers can write some very complex systems, that can 
make 
>   sophisticated decisions .. provided they can input the relevant 
data 
>   in a timely manner?
> 
>   >Discretionary traders are constantly performing their own market 
>   >analyses, and are required to spend considerably more time and 
>   >effort both before and during market hours. This time 
requirement 
>   >also limits the number of markets or securities discretionary 
>   >traders can successfully follow
> 
>   Not necessarily.
> 
>   They can focus down to one small section of the market OR one 
market 
>   anomaly that they are following...they might follow the same 
thing, 
>   over and over .. if it doesn't disappear ... in which case they 
>   could, say, start the day with a scan, or a few charts .. look at 
>   them and make a subjective/contextual/indefinite `in principle 
>   decision' to go long on a sector ---------> narrow down to 2 or 3 
>   stocks to watch -----------> enter the trade based on a 
>   definite/stated rule (setup).
> 
>   5 minutes a day to get in ... unknown time waiting to get out?
> 
>   `Programmed rules traders' aren't always going to be more 
focussed or 
>   have less work to do ... their system might involve a lot of 
number 
>   crunching (wait while the computer runs it) before they get a 
setup 
>   for the day.
> 
>   BTW traders can't backtest indefinite, contextual or subjective 
>   rules, or principles, but in lieu of that they can paper 
trade ... 
>   the statistical data set they obtain will be just as valid 
(subject 
>   to statistical rules) as a backtested data set.
> 
>   brian_z
> 
>   --- In amibroker@xxxxxxxxxxxxxxx, "sidhartha70" <sidhartha70@> 
>   wrote:
>   >
>   > Brian,
>   > 
>   > Thought you might find this interesting. I've read a couple of 
this
>   > guys books (being a Market Profile geek)... and I rate him very
>   > highly. Just an interesting link,
>   > 
>   > http://www.marketsinprofile.com/DscrtTrdr-2.html
>   > 
>   > --- In amibroker@xxxxxxxxxxxxxxx, "brian_z111" <brian_z111@> 
wrote:
>   > >
>   > > My teacher often said "Energy follows thought." - I find it 
one 
>   of 
>   > > the more difficult axioms to understand.
>   > > 
>   > > I think it is embodied in trading by 'positive thinking' ... 
>   Napolean 
>   > > Hill and the classics of that kind.
>   > > 
>   > > brian_z
>   > > 
>   > > 
>   > > 
>   > > 
>   > > 
>   > > --- In amibroker@xxxxxxxxxxxxxxx, "Jan Malmberg" <jan@> wrote:
>   > > >
>   > > > Hi,
>   > > > 
>   > > > In response to the entire thread: Because there is energy, 
>   there is 
>   > > law that
>   > > > governs it. No energy equals no law which equals no energy. 
>   This is 
>   > > the
>   > > > fundamental truth of existence.
>   > > > 
>   > > > Best regards / JM
>   > > > 
>   > > > 
>   > > > 
>   > > > _____ 
>   > > > 
>   > > > Från: amibroker@xxxxxxxxxxxxxxx 
>   [mailto:amibroker@xxxxxxxxxxxxxxx] 
>   > > För
>   > > > sidhartha70
>   > > > Skickat: den 23 augusti 2008 11:43
>   > > > Till: amibroker@xxxxxxxxxxxxxxx
>   > > > Ämne: [amibroker] Re: 'Rule Based' versus 'Discretionary' 
>   trading...
>   > > > 
>   > > > 
>   > > > 
>   > > > Brian,
>   > > > 
>   > > > Interesting as always.
>   > > > 
>   > > > I'm not sure I see a difference between 'X traders' 
>   and 'intuitive
>   > > > traders'... they are the same thing I assume?? Why classify 
>   them as
>   > > > 'X' traders when 'intuitive' is a term much more familiar 
to 
>   most?
>   > > > 
>   > > > You say,
>   > > > 
>   > > > "In all probability traders who haven't written down their 
>   rules 
>   > > are 
>   > > > > using much simpler 'systems' and/or have automatically 
joined 
>   > > > > together a few simple rules to make a set of 
>   easily 'remembered' 
>   > > > > mental rules."
>   > > > 
>   > > > I'm not sure I agree with that statement. I think a good, 
>   intuitive
>   > > > trader can be processing far more information than you 
suggest, 
>   and 
>   > > a
>   > > > much larger base of loosely based rules than you suggest.
>   > > > 
>   > > > To quote Steven Hawkins from 'Steidlmayer on Markets'...
>   > > > 
>   > > > "... you will begin to gain a feel for a market that 
enables 
>   you to
>   > > > sense changes AS they occur, not after. You will develop 
the 
>   ability
>   > > > to RECOGNIZE opportunies. You will learn to RECOGNIZE when 
you 
>   are
>   > > > wrong BEFORE your dollar position tells you so. You will 
begin 
>   to 
>   > > see
>   > > > that, when you have exited a trade early, it was usually 
the 
>   right
>   > > > thing to do... In other words you become 'one' with the 
market."
>   > > > 
>   > > > I guess that's something approaching intuition. I remain to 
be
>   > > > convinced that 'seeing a few seconds into the future' is 
>   anything 
>   > > more
>   > > > than being 'in flow' with the market. Maybe zero delay, 
seeing 
>   > > things
>   > > > AS they happen, not after, is enough.
>   > > > 
>   > > > I find it strange that you don't use more intution in your 
>   trading
>   > > > since you seem to believe in its power and use it so 
>   successfully
>   > > > elsewhere in your life.
>   > > > 
>   > > > --- In amibroker@xxxxxxxxx <mailto:amibroker%
40yahoogroups.com> 
>   > > ps.com,
>   > > > "brian_z111" <brian_z111@> wrote:
>   > > > >
>   > > > > > Another possible irrational explanation is that some 
humans 
>   may 
>   > > have
>   > > > > > the ability to see the future.
>   > > > > 
>   > > > > 
>   > > > > Ed, 
>   > > > > 
>   > > > > I feel I sold you short on this one so if you are 
interested 
>   in a 
>   > > > > more detailed answer read on.
>   > > > > 
>   > > > > In my scheme of things there are no trader 
classifications, 
>   > > except 
>   > > > > perhaps good ones and not so good ones.
>   > > > > 
>   > > > > If it helps us to understand our trading and/or become 
better 
>   > > > > traders, by naming classes, by all means lets do so but 
if 
>   and 
>   > > when 
>   > > > > we consider traders to be discretionary, we are, IMO 
>   deceiving 
>   > > > > ourselves i.e. it is probably the most useless 
classification 
>   of 
>   > > all.
>   > > > > 
>   > > > > For the sake of the discussion - if there are otraders 
who 
>   > > can 'know' 
>   > > > > things using faculties that other traders don't have then 
I 
>   would 
>   > > > > call them XTraders (X == unclassified OR an unknown 
quantity).
>   > > > > 
>   > > > > Our culturally accepted paradigm is that we are thinking 
>   > > > > (rationalising) and feeling creatures contained in a 
physical 
>   > > body 
>   > > > > (vessel).
>   > > > > 
>   > > > > Culturally it is considered 'irrational' that anyone 
could 
>   > > function 
>   > > > > with a faculty other than thinking or feeling i.e. people 
>   > > > > who 'believe' this are sub-standard thinkers (perhaps 
they 
>   are 
>   > > > > unbalanced by their emotions?)
>   > > > > 
>   > > > > In other cultures alternative 'levels of consciousness' 
are 
>   > > > > considered the norm (consciousness that is above and 
beyond 
>   > > rational 
>   > > > > thinking that is).
>   > > > > 
>   > > > > Specialists in this field don't consider these X 
faculties as 
>   > > > > irrational - this term is reserved for a special class of 
sub-
>   > > > > rational consciousness.
>   > > > > 
>   > > > > 
>   > > > > As an analogy:
>   > > > > 
>   > > > > Rationality can be symbolised by a clear blue cloudless 
sky 
>   and 
>   > > the 
>   > > > > sub-conscious mind as the clear deep green ocean.
>   > > > > 
>   > > > > The irrational elements of our 'mind' are floating on the 
>   surface 
>   > > of 
>   > > > > the ocean, bobbing up and down like corks.
>   > > > > Collectively the corks are always in motion.
>   > > > > They are discrete and individual corks 'rotate' above and 
>   below 
>   > > the 
>   > > > > water line. Their upward motion creates pressure on our 
>   conscious 
>   > > > > mind and some leap out of the water, into consciousness, 
for 
>   > > brief 
>   > > > > periods.
>   > > > > 
>   > > > > We call them irrational because they never come to full 
and 
>   > > complete 
>   > > > > expression in our rational mind - it is not possible for 
them 
>   to 
>   > > > > exist there autonomously because of the material that 
they 
>   are 
>   > > > > constructed of (speaking symbolically they are half-
formed 
>   > > creatures 
>   > > > > from the deep).
>   > > > > 
>   > > > > They act somewhat autonomously from our consious mind and 
>   > > controlling 
>   > > > > them is a devil of a job (the labours of Hercules).
>   > > > > 
>   > > > > Specifically they are products of our environment 
>   > > (upbringing/past 
>   > > > > etc) that are exascerbated ny 'inherited' qualities (put 
two 
>   > > people 
>   > > > > in the same stressful environment and one can develop a 
>   mental 
>   > > > > pathology while the other person won't).
>   > > > > 
>   > > > > They can affect our trading by popping up as irrational 
>   behavoiur 
>   > > in 
>   > > > > the heat of battle or by generally influencing our 
approach 
>   > > > > (fear/greed etc).
>   > > > > 
>   > > > > The 'higher' level of consciousness (knowing) that I am 
>   > > personally 
>   > > > > familiar with is the Intuition which I consider to be the 
>   > > 4th/seven 
>   > > > > levels of consciousness attainable my Mankind.
>   > > > > 
>   > > > > Note that in our culture the term is used in different 
ways 
>   in 
>   > > > > different cultures and that even amongst specialists in 
this 
>   > > field 
>   > > > > their is disagreement over the classifications of 
>   consciousness 
>   > > and 
>   > > > > the nomenclature.
>   > > > > 
>   > > > > I don't know how Intuition works, nor have I experienced 
the 
>   full 
>   > > > > scope of it.
>   > > > > 
>   > > > > For me it works in different ways at different times and 
it 
>   is 
>   > > > > dependent on how I manage it (if I am tired or don't pay 
full 
>   > > > > attention the quality of what I 'perceive' drops).
>   > > > > 
>   > > > > It is not mind reading.
>   > > > > 
>   > > > > I experience it as a kind of 'super-rationality' i.e. 
given 
>   the 
>   > > same 
>   > > > > facts that the rational mind possesses (yes I still have 
to 
>   read 
>   > > the 
>   > > > > help manual) I can sometimes connect the dots in amazing 
ways 
>   and 
>   > > do 
>   > > > > it instantaneously - I just consider I have done the 
rational 
>   > > anlysis 
>   > > > > at a speed that my conscious mind couldn't keep up with.
>   > > > > 
>   > > > > According to the pundits other levels of consciousness 
are 
>   > > accessible 
>   > > > > in the supra-rational mind.
>   > > > > 
>   > > > > The intuitive level of consiousness can be accessed via 
the 
>   > > abstract 
>   > > > > mind and this is what many of the leaders of our culture 
do - 
>   it 
>   > > is 
>   > > > > especially prevalent in those who are trained in/have a 
>   > > disposition 
>   > > > > towards use of the abstract languages e.g. 
>   > > > > maths,programming,philosophy, art, music etc where it is 
>   > > experienced 
>   > > > > as INSPIRATION. 
>   > > > > 
>   > > > > I haven't tried to be an Intuitive trader because I am 
quite 
>   > > happy to 
>   > > > > use all of the resources available to me in a balanced 
way 
>   > > (combining 
>   > > > > computer skills, rational thinking, inspiration and 
emotional 
>   > > control 
>   > > > > in a synthesized package and I am doing fine with that).
>   > > > > 
>   > > > > Anyway, I can't seperate my learned experiences from my 
>   > > instinctive 
>   > > > > experiences so I couldn't perform an honest test (if I 
tried 
>   to 
>   > > make 
>   > > > > purely intuitive trading choices I could be biased by 
other 
>   more 
>   > > > > mundane factors).
>   > > > > 
>   > > > > 
>   > > > > 
>   > > > > How does this apply to trading?
>   > > > > 
>   > > > > We can make a truly unbiased decision if we flip a coin 
>   > > (technically 
>   > > > > speaking the decision is made by the coin at the moment 
it 
>   comes 
>   > > to 
>   > > > > rest).
>   > > > > 
>   > > > > Coins don't have thoughts, feelings or X consciousness.
>   > > > > 
>   > > > > We do.
>   > > > > 
>   > > > > Whenever we make a decision it is almost impossible for 
us to 
>   > > measure 
>   > > > > the degree that it is influenced by feelings, thoughts or 
>   > > XFactors.
>   > > > > 
>   > > > > Anything that influences our decision making places a 
>   condition 
>   > > on 
>   > > > > it, so in a round aout way it is a rule.
>   > > > > 
>   > > > > That is why I claim that we are all rule based traders 
>   (unless we 
>   > > > > flip a coin to make our trading decisions).
>   > > > > 
>   > > > > The differences come about because of the quality, 
number, 
>   format 
>   > > etc 
>   > > > > of our 'rules'.
>   > > > > 
>   > > > > As a rule of thumb:
>   > > > > 
>   > > > > Writing down our rules is one way to quality control them.
>   > > > > Writing them in computer language is an even more 
definitive 
>   way 
>   > > > > force them to logicality.
>   > > > > 
>   > > > > However we shouldn't assume that people who like to trade 
in 
>   a 
>   > > visual 
>   > > > > way e.g. chart trading, don't have written or programmed 
>   rules OR 
>   > > > > that people who haven't written down their rules 
are 'worse' 
>   > > traders 
>   > > > > than those who do.
>   > > > > 
>   > > > > In all probability traders who haven't written down their 
>   rules 
>   > > are 
>   > > > > using much simpler 'systems' and/or have automatically 
joined 
>   > > > > together a few simple rules to make a set of 
>   easily 'remembered' 
>   > > > > mental rules.
>   > > > > 
>   > > > > On that basis it is a bold asumption to say that they 
>   couldn't 
>   > > teach 
>   > > > > it to others.
>   > > > > 
>   > > > > I dare say they can most likely teach it to a 15 year old 
a 
>   lot 
>   > > more 
>   > > > > readily than they could teach them to autotrade.
>   > > > > 
>   > > > > It is a pretty fair bet that bad rules, unclear rules, or 
no 
>   > > rules at 
>   > > > > all, is the source of most trading trouble rather than 
>   unwritten 
>   > > > > rules or XFactor rules.
>   > > > > 
>   > > > > As for XFactor traders (if there really are any out 
there):
>   > > > > 
>   > > > > - they are still following a rules it just happens that 
they 
>   get 
>   > > them 
>   > > > > from the fairy perched on the top of their computer 
screen (I 
>   > > guess 
>   > > > > the proof of the pudding is in the eating).
>   > > > > 
>   > > > > Personally, I haven't made a decision to buy/sell based 
on an 
>   > > > > intuitive signal AFAIK (if anyone is an intuitive trader 
then 
>   I 
>   > > would 
>   > > > > be a good candidate).
>   > > > > 
>   > > > > However in real life I make intuitive decisions all of 
the 
>   time.
>   > > > > 
>   > > > > One way I use the intuition is that I sense it like a 
stop 
>   light 
>   > > in 
>   > > > > the pit of my stomach - I can almost see it - red == 
>   stop/orange 
>   > > == 
>   > > > > caution, green == go.
>   > > > > 
>   > > > > Specfic examples:
>   > > > > 
>   > > > > I go to a website - I take one look at it - I read the 
first 
>   > > > > paragraph of an article their - I get a red light - don't 
>   read 
>   > > > > anyfurther - it saves me research time - reason == the 
level 
>   of 
>   > > > > consciousness of the author is too low - they couldn't 
>   possibly 
>   > > write 
>   > > > > anything about trading worth reading (sorry but it isn't 
>   anything 
>   > > > > more romantic than that).
>   > > > > 
>   > > > > In other cases I use the intuition in more advanced ways 
but 
>   that 
>   > > is 
>   > > > > a very long story.
>   > > > > 
>   > > > > I hope that helps a few traders sort out their thoughts.
>   > > > > 
>   > > > > "If we are saying it, we are thinking it.
>   > > > > If we are thinking it, we are doing it".
>   > > > > 
>   > > > > If we are sloppy with our trading nomenclature?
>   > > > > 
>   > > > > 
>   > > > > brian_z *:-)
>   > > > > 
>   > > > > I am very sorry but I can't answer private emails to my 
>   public 
>   > > email 
>   > > > > addresses - many of them get lost amongst the spam anyway.
>   > > > > 
>   > > > > Also I apologise deeply but I do not 'take' students.
>   > > > > 
>   > > > > FTR I teach the 'middle way' (not in a sectarian way) and 
I 
>   do 
>   > > what I 
>   > > > > can publically. 
>   > > > > 
>   > > > > 
>   > > > > --- In amibroker@xxxxxxxxx <mailto:amibroker%
>   40yahoogroups.com> 
>   > > ps.com,
>   > > > "Ed Hoopes" <reefbreak_sd@> 
>   > > > > wrote:
>   > > > > >
>   > > > > > Another possible irrational explanation is that some 
humans 
>   may 
>   > > have
>   > > > > > the ability to see the future.
>   > > > > > 
>   > > > > > In competitive sports some players just seem to know 
what 
>   their
>   > > > > > opponents will do. Maybe the same is true of some 
>   successful 
>   > > > > traders.
>   > > > > > They can't explain it rationally, but they "just know 
it"
>   > > > > > 
>   > > > > > Reef
>   > > > > > 
>   > > > > > PS
>   > > > > > Unfortunately, I don't have this trait. 
>   > > > > > 
>   > > > > > 
>   > > > > > --- In amibroker@xxxxxxxxx <mailto:amibroker%
>   40yahoogroups.com> 
>   > > ps.com,
>   > > > "brian_z111" <brian_z111@> wrote:
>   > > > > > >
>   > > > > > > From the 2nd article:
>   > > > > > > 
>   > > > > > > "Paul Taglia sees high-probability Window set-ups 
that 
>   the 
>   > > rest 
>   > > > > of us 
>   > > > > > > don't. I've seen him do this for nearly two years. He 
>   can't 
>   > > > > explain 
>   > > > > > > it...he simply says that he's looked at thousands and 
>   > > thousands 
>   > > > > of 
>   > > > > > > charts over his career and some charts simply look 
better 
>   to 
>   > > him 
>   > > > > than 
>   > > > > > > others. We once asked him to keep a journal to see if 
we 
>   > > could 
>   > > > > > > systematize what he saw. It was a useless exercise. 
He 
>   sees 
>   > > it 
>   > > > > but he 
>   > > > > > > can't explain it."
>   > > > > > > 
>   > > > > > > 
>   > > > > > > According to Occams Law the simplest explanation is 
>   usually 
>   > > the 
>   > > > > best.
>   > > > > > > 
>   > > > > > > http://en.wikipedia 
>   <http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Simplicity>
>   > > > .org/wiki/Simplicity
>   > > > > > > 
>   > > > > > > Possible explanations, of Paul Taglia's discretionary 
>   style 
>   > > are:
>   > > > > > > 
>   > > > > > > a) He can 'see', or sense, the future in the charts,
>   > > > > > > b) he has a set of rules that he learnt in the past 
>   (based on 
>   > > > > > > experience) and they have become second nature - 
possibly 
>   he 
>   > > has 
>   > > > > > > forgotten what they are or when he learnt them (or at 
>   least 
>   > > some 
>   > > > > of 
>   > > > > > > them)
>   > > > > > > c) he has a set of rules, and he knows that, but this 
is 
>   an 
>   > > > > excellent 
>   > > > > > > posture to take if his game plan is never to reveal 
them 
>   to 
>   > > anyone
>   > > > > > > d) he has a set of rules but has a playful nature OR 
>   likes to 
>   > > > > take 
>   > > > > > > the mickey out of his associates OR has a superiority 
>   complex 
>   > > and 
>   > > > > > > disdains the idiots who surround him
>   > > > > > > e) he has an inferiority complex and needs the boost 
that 
>   > > comes 
>   > > > > from 
>   > > > > > > the adulation of others - this is an excellent 
strategy 
>   to 
>   > > > > establish 
>   > > > > > > mystique as a trader and achieve legendary status
>   > > > > > > f) it is a great way to market ones employment value 
in a 
>   > > > > transient 
>   > > > > > > workplace (its a resume that can't be questioned to 
any 
>   > > extent 
>   > > > > either)
>   > > > > > > g) some combination of a-f
>   > > > > > > h) he has a set of rules (some conscious, some sub-
>   conscious) 
>   > > but 
>   > > > > he 
>   > > > > > > can't be bothered explaining them (it is a form of 
energy 
>   > > > > > > conservation - an alternavtive version of this is 
that he 
>   > > could 
>   > > > > be a 
>   > > > > > > very focused trader and has eliminated the non-
>   essentials, 
>   > > like 
>   > > > > > > defining his style OR chatting about his style.
>   > > > > > > 
>   > > > > > > BTW irrationality is the common name for the shadow 
(I 
>   used 
>   > > the 
>   > > > > > > symbolic name).
>   > > > > > > 
>   > > > > > > There is no irrationality in maths, programming etc 
which 
>   is 
>   > > > > probably 
>   > > > > > > why I quite like programmers etc.
>   > > > > > > 
>   > > > > > > Trading myths are born out of, and perpetuated by 
>   > > irrationality.
>   > > > > > > 
>   > > > > > > brian_z
>   > > > > > > 
>   > > > > > > 
>   > > > > > > 
>   > > > > > > --- In amibroker@xxxxxxxxx <mailto:amibroker%
>   > > 40yahoogroups.com>
>   > > > ps.com, "wavemechanic" <timesarrow@> 
>   > > > > > > wrote:
>   > > > > > > >
>   > > > > > > > 
>   > > > > > > 
>   > > > > http://www.tradingm
>   > > > 
>   > > 
>   
<http://www.tradingmarkets.com/.site/stocks/commentary/lcbattlep/08272
>   > > 0>
>   > > > arkets.com/.site/stocks/commentary/lcbattlep/082720
>   > > > > > > 04-39801.cfm
>   > > > > > > > 
>   > > > > > > > 
>   > > > > > > 
>   > > > > http://www.tradingm
>   > > > 
>   > > 
>   
<http://www.tradingmarkets.com/.site/swingtrading/commentary/lcbattlep
>   > > />
>   > > > arkets.com/.site/swingtrading/commentary/lcbattlep/
>   > > > > > > 09022004-39899.cfm
>   > > > > > > > ----- Original Message ----- 
>   > > > > > > > From: sidhartha70 
>   > > > > > > > To: amibroker@xxxxxxxxx <mailto:amibroker%
>   > > 40yahoogroups.com> ps.com 
>   > > > > > > > Sent: Wednesday, August 20, 2008 10:52 AM
>   > > > > > > > Subject: [amibroker] Re: 'Rule Based' 
>   > > versus 'Discretionary' 
>   > > > > > > trading...
>   > > > > > > > 
>   > > > > > > > 
>   > > > > > > > I think you're right Brian. We do all use rules of 
some 
>   > > sort.
>   > > > > > > > 
>   > > > > > > > But I guess discretionary traders don't use 'hard 
and 
>   fast' 
>   > > > > rules 
>   > > > > > > and
>   > > > > > > > can't always define the same set of rules by which 
they 
>   > > > > choose to
>   > > > > > > > define an entry or exit.
>   > > > > > > > 
>   > > > > > > > For example, as we all know, something as simple as 
>   > > defining 
>   > > > > a 
>   > > > > > > trend
>   > > > > > > > programatically can be more problematic as you 
might at 
>   > > first 
>   > > > > > > think.
>   > > > > > > > However, a good trader can see very quickly what 
state 
>   the 
>   > > > > market 
>   > > > > > > is
>   > > > > > > > in by looking at various time frame of chart.
>   > > > > > > > 
>   > > > > > > > Likewise, divergences of various sorts can be easy 
to 
>   see 
>   > > > > with the
>   > > > > > > > naked eye but difficult to code in their entirety.
>   > > > > > > > 
>   > > > > > > > Like driving a car, or a golf swing, you learn 
>   the 'rules' 
>   > > > > but 
>   > > > > > > when
>   > > > > > > > you get really good you are no longer thinking 
rules... 
>   > > you've
>   > > > > > > > effectively let go of the rules and are 
just 'doing'...
>   > > > > > > > 
>   > > > > > > > --- In amibroker@xxxxxxxxx <mailto:amibroker%
>   > > 40yahoogroups.com>
>   > > > ps.com, "brian_z111" <brian_z111@> 
>   > > > > > > wrote:
>   > > > > > > > >
>   > > > > > > > > Here is my definition:
>   > > > > > > > > 
>   > > > > > > > > We are all rule based traders.
>   > > > > > > > > 
>   > > > > > > > > Mechanical Traders are a specialist group who 
have 
>   > > > > programmed 
>   > > > > > > > > computers to autotrade their rules OR 
automatically 
>   > > > > announce 
>   > > > > > > their 
>   > > > > > > > > rules via computer communications (audio, email, 
>   chart 
>   > > > > prompts, 
>   > > > > > > > > spoken text etc).
>   > > > > > > > > 
>   > > > > > > > > I am prepared to continue the discussion with any 
>   seers, 
>   > > > > > > inituitives 
>   > > > > > > > > etc, who come forward, and adjust my definition 
to 
>   meet 
>   > > > > > > anything new 
>   > > > > > > > > that comes out of that.
>   > > > > > > > > 
>   > > > > > > > > In advance I admit to the possibility of 
exceptions 
>   to 
>   > > the 
>   > > > > rule.
>   > > > > > > > > 
>   > > > > > > > > brian_z
>   > > > > > > > > 
>   > > > > > > > > 
>   > > > > > > > > --- In amibroker@xxxxxxxxx <mailto:amibroker%
>   > > 40yahoogroups.com>
>   > > > ps.com, "brian_z111" 
>   > > > > <brian_z111@> 
>   > > > > > > wrote:
>   > > > > > > > > >
>   > > > > > > > > > >Descretionary traders make decisions that are 
>   based on 
>   > > > > > > personal 
>   > > > > > > > > > >knowledge and circumstances, perhaps using 
many 
>   > > factors 
>   > > > > > > unknown to 
>   > > > > > > > > > >themselves. Like which journal they read the 
night 
>   > > > > before. 
>   > > > > > > > > > 
>   > > > > > > > > > This is the nub of the question for sure, and 
the 
>   point 
>   > > > > that 
>   > > > > > > I am 
>   > > > > > > > > > investigating.
>   > > > > > > > > > 
>   > > > > > > > > > I suspect that when they (self-nominated DT's) 
>   think 
>   > > they 
>   > > > > are 
>   > > > > > > > > making 
>   > > > > > > > > > discretionary decisions they are in fact making 
>   rule 
>   > > > > based 
>   > > > > > > > > decisions.
>   > > > > > > > > > 
>   > > > > > > > > > That is why I asked for specific examples 
>   > > > > of 'discretionary' 
>   > > > > > > > > decision 
>   > > > > > > > > > making e.g. I haven't seen Bilbo's chart yet 
but I 
>   > > > > consider 
>   > > > > > > it 
>   > > > > > > > > highly 
>   > > > > > > > > > unlikely that the decision about whether a 
trend is 
>   in 
>   > > > > place 
>   > > > > > > is a 
>   > > > > > > > > > discretionary decision - I can define a trend 
in 
>   > > several 
>   > > > > > > different 
>   > > > > > > > > > ways - all of them can readily be written as a 
rule 
>   (in 
>   > > > > words 
>   > > > > > > or 
>   > > > > > > > > with 
>   > > > > > > > > > code) - I don't care if the definitions 
>   are 'correct' 
>   > > or 
>   > > > > not 
>   > > > > > > as 
>   > > > > > > > > long as 
>   > > > > > > > > > the system that they are part of works i.e. my 
>   rules 
>   > > for 
>   > > > > a 
>   > > > > > > trend 
>   > > > > > > > > depend 
>   > > > > > > > > > on the context.
>   > > > > > > > > > 
>   > > > > > > > > > As Dennis said, our rules might be difficult to 
>   > > program, 
>   > > > > > > causing us 
>   > > > > > > > > not 
>   > > > > > > > > > to automate the trade, but mentally we are 
still 
>   > > running 
>   > > > > the 
>   > > > > > > rules 
>   > > > > > > > > and 
>   > > > > > > > > > if we are honest with ourselves we do know what 
the 
>   > > rules 
>   > > > > are.
>   > > > > > > > > > 
>   > > > > > > > > > 
>   > > > > > > > > > >For a novice traders to try and mimic the 
>   techniques 
>   > > (of 
>   > > > > > > > > Discretionary 
>   > > > > > > > > > >Traders) without 
>   > > > > > > > > > >having similar backgrounds merits caution.
>   > > > > > > > > > 
>   > > > > > > > > > What I am suggesting is that, over time, the 
sub-
>   > > > > conscious 
>   > > > > > > mind 
>   > > > > > > > > will 
>   > > > > > > > > > automate what was intially habitual conscious 
>   > > behaviour, 
>   > > > > and 
>   > > > > > > even 
>   > > > > > > > > make 
>   > > > > > > > > > some improvements on it, so that 'we' can skip 
the 
>   > > > > conscious 
>   > > > > > > part 
>   > > > > > > > > for 
>   > > > > > > > > > some 'tasks' e.g. driving the car becomes 
second 
>   nature.
>   > > > > > > > > > 
>   > > > > > > > > > That won't happen for new traders, in a short 
time, 
>   so 
>   > > > > they 
>   > > > > > > do need 
>   > > > > > > > > to 
>   > > > > > > > > > persevere, be patient and not try to mimic 
people 
>   who 
>   > > > > have 
>   > > > > > > been 
>   > > > > > > > > around 
>   > > > > > > > > > for years.
>   > > > > > > > > > 
>   > > > > > > > > > IMO formal (written) rules based 
>   > > > > > > trading/backtesting/optimization 
>   > > > > > > > > is 
>   > > > > > > > > > the best place to start - it grinds the basic 
>   lessons 
>   > > in 
>   > > > > very 
>   > > > > > > well.
>   > > > > > > > > > 
>   > > > > > > > > > If anyone can look at a chart, and without 
recourse 
>   to 
>   > > > > any 
>   > > > > > > rules, 
>   > > > > > > > > know 
>   > > > > > > > > > which way the price is going to move and trade 
>   > > > > successfully 
>   > > > > > > (long 
>   > > > > > > > > > term) on that basis then that is something else 
>   > > > > altogether.
>   > > > > > > > > > 
>   > > > > > > > > > If it is at all possible to do that then it 
>   definitely 
>   > > > > can't 
>   > > > > > > be 
>   > > > > > > > > taught.
>   > > > > > > > > > 
>   > > > > > > > > > That is why I asked, "Anyone doing it?".
>   > > > > > > > > > 
>   > > > > > > > > > It is just like >100%PA returns - anything is 
>   possible 
>   > > > > but 
>   > > > > > > once 
>   > > > > > > > > someone 
>   > > > > > > > > > confirms that they have done it then it moves 
from 
>   the 
>   > > > > realm 
>   > > > > > > of 
>   > > > > > > > > > possibility into reality.
>   > > > > > > > > > 
>   > > > > > > > > > In the meantime I will stick to my guns by 
saying 
>   > > > > > > that "except for 
>   > > > > > > > > > people who KNOW what the price is going to do 
>   everyone 
>   > > > > else 
>   > > > > > > is a 
>   > > > > > > > > rule 
>   > > > > > > > > > based trader and categorizing traders, as DT's 
or 
>   MT's, 
>   > > > > is 
>   > > > > > > > > arbitrary".
>   > > > > > > > > > 
>   > > > > > > > > > brian_z
>   > > > > > > > > >
>   > > > > > > > >
>   > > > > > > > 
>   > > > > > > > 
>   > > > > > > > 
>   > > > > > > > ------------------------------------
>   > > > > > > > 
>   > > > > > > > Please note that this group is for discussion 
between 
>   users 
>   > > > > only.
>   > > > > > > > 
>   > > > > > > > To get support from AmiBroker please send an e-mail 
>   > > directly 
>   > > > > to 
>   > > > > > > > SUPPORT {at} amibroker.com
>   > > > > > > > 
>   > > > > > > > For NEW RELEASE ANNOUNCEMENTS and other news always 
>   check 
>   > > > > DEVLOG:
>   > > > > > > > http://www.amibroke 
<http://www.amibroker.com/devlog/> 
>   > > r.com/devlog/
>   > > > > > > > 
>   > > > > > > > For other support material please check also:
>   > > > > > > > http://www.amibroke 
>   <http://www.amibroker.com/support.html>
>   > > > r.com/support.html
>   > > > > > > > Yahoo! Groups Links
>   > > > > > > > 
>   > > > > > > > 
>   > > > > > > > 
>   > > > > > > > 
>   > > > > > > > No virus found in this incoming message.
>   > > > > > > > Checked by AVG - http://www.avg. 
<http://www.avg.com> 
>   com 
>   > > > > > > > Version: 8.0.138 / Virus Database: 270.6.6/1623 - 
>   Release 
>   > > > > Date: 
>   > > > > > > 8/20/2008 8:12 AM
>   > > > > > > >
>   > > > > > >
>   > > > > >
>   > > > >
>   > > >
>   > >
>   >
>



------------------------------------

Please note that this group is for discussion between users only.

To get support from AmiBroker please send an e-mail directly to 
SUPPORT {at} amibroker.com

For NEW RELEASE ANNOUNCEMENTS and other news always check DEVLOG:
http://www.amibroker.com/devlog/

For other support material please check also:
http://www.amibroker.com/support.html
Yahoo! Groups Links

<*> To visit your group on the web, go to:
    http://groups.yahoo.com/group/amibroker/

<*> Your email settings:
    Individual Email | Traditional

<*> To change settings online go to:
    http://groups.yahoo.com/group/amibroker/join
    (Yahoo! ID required)

<*> To change settings via email:
    mailto:amibroker-digest@xxxxxxxxxxxxxxx 
    mailto:amibroker-fullfeatured@xxxxxxxxxxxxxxx

<*> To unsubscribe from this group, send an email to:
    amibroker-unsubscribe@xxxxxxxxxxxxxxx

<*> Your use of Yahoo! Groups is subject to:
    http://docs.yahoo.com/info/terms/