futures trading

[Moe Bettor]

As perhaps some of you know I also trade futures and options. Mainly futures. There have been incredible trading opportunities during this
virus situation every day. Not just shorting, but with recovering moves. One has been when Trump speaks. Everything drops and I short. The base to buygoing long has been around 2351 on the ES..which is the S&P emini future. So far traders have protected that area and when the futures drop to below it, there is furious buying. If I can't be at a craps table, this is a casino that will never close..at least I hope so. I'd rather the virus
would be conquered and the up moves be primary. But either way..it's a living. Solitary too with nobody sneezing on you. Remember 2351 those of you in the game.

[r_ventura_23]

How do you trades when the market is closed? I watch the futures but don't know how to trade them?

[heavy]

Trades are generally made through ECN's (electronic trading networks) that match buyers and sellers without going through the market directly. It's third party trading. Hours are limited - usually 4PM to 8PM. You can also trade pre-market opening in the mornings from 4AM to 9:30AM.

[Moe Bettor]

Futures trading Eastern Time is pre-market..before 9:30 ET which is market open and trades until 4:30 pm (16:30). The there is a break and you have the overnight session. I only trade from 8:30 am til 1500 (3pm) ET because the trading gets more volatile and too jumpy for me after 1500. Learning to trade futures is easy. There are hundreds of youtube videos. Doing it and making money at it is another beast entirely. Places like Ninjatrader, which I use or Infinity trading will give you demo accounts for 14 days. You can practice free using real time data feeds and make virtual trades. This is a must. Ninjatrader also has a free trading platform where you can practice virtual trading at no cost. The data feed is computer generated so it isn't real market data, but a simulation. I've been at it a long time. I lost a lot of money early on. Like craps, you must totally learn the process. And like craps, you can get an edge. Also like craps, you can lose your ass bigtime. Lastly, there are gurus who will teach you the whole thing. Some are good, some are mediocre. They all push some proprietary agenda where if you follow it, you can't lose. BS. There is only person I would ever recommend and had I learned from him early on..it would have saved me a lot of money. But he doesn't come cheap. Often he gives two free weeks in his trading room. He basically gives away most of his way of trading techniques. He's kind of like Heavy. A good guy with total knowledge of his game.