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



PureBytes Links

Trading Reference Links

Tom,

That's a big thanks from me too.

Collectively the forum beats trading books, hands down!

brian_z


--- In amibroker@xxxxxxxxxxxxxxx, <professor@xxx> wrote:
>
> Brian_z
> 
> I had Graham write me a program using my rules with arrows and 
alerts. I traded that program manually using EOD data for about 6 
months. During that time, I was testing my program using hourly data. 
I found that it was more profitable, but I didn't want to be watching 
the computer all day, so I decided to try auto trading. I had Barry 
write the program which I love. However, during the testing of the 
auto trading program, I found a few problems with the way my rules 
for buying and selling were trading. After correcting a few problems, 
it works great. 
> 
> I was manually trading my other program during all the testing of 
the auto trading program, but I made the changes to my manual trading 
as I found how well the corrections to my auto trading program were 
working. 
> 
> Since I only trade 3 times a day and I have access to my home 
computer using my laptop and teamviewer software when I am away, I 
really could trade manually most of the time. However, I might be 
forget to be at my laptop on time or be traveling without internet 
access, so I find that auto trading fits my needs. For instance, I 
was in a trade and I was leaving for Europe for 2 weeks. I didn't 
have a sell signal, but didn't want to be in a trade while I was on 
the plane without internet access, so I had to sell my position. If I 
had been able to follow my program instead of selling early, I would 
have made $3000 more profit as gold went up $30 more before I 
recieved a sell signal.
> 
> I don't know if it is possible to day trade and have your backtests 
match your trading, but by having my trading times match the times on 
the backtest really helps me. I can tell if my program is trading 
correctly by matching my trades to a backtest. That is how I noticed 
one problem with my program. I ran a backtest with my old program and 
compared it to my test trading using my auto trading program. When I 
saw a trade was made on one and not the other, I knew that there was 
a problem. Now, whenever I have a trade, I run a backtest to see if 
the trade was made in the backtest. So far, everything is great.
> 
> Tom
>   ----- Original Message ----- 
>   From: brian_z111 
>   To: amibroker@xxxxxxxxxxxxxxx 
>   Sent: Monday, August 25, 2008 1:59 AM
>   Subject: [amibroker] Re: 'Rule Based' versus 'Discretionary' 
trading...
> 
> 
>   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@> 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
>   > > > > > > > >
>   > > > > > > >
>   > > > > > >
>   > > > > >
>   > > > >
>   > > >
>   > >
>   >
>



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

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