Guidelines For Forex Traders

By Ahmad Hassam

If you don't use common sense than you might as well not trade at all! Someone had rightly said a long time ago that common sense is so common that nobody uses it. Well, if you are going to become a trader than you need a lot of common sense. OK, now a few common sense guidelines for you as a trader:

1) Always beware of forex brokers. Your broker might be cheating you and you may never know about it. It is all due to the unregulated nature of the forex market. Even if you complain nothing will happen. Don't fall into the trap of some unknown broker. Your ability to trade effectively depends on consistent spread and ample liquidity. You should always look for a reputable broker. Anyone can open a position. However, your ability to close a position at a good price is more important.

2) Trading is all about making a long term winning plan. Just try to make more winning trades as compared to losing trades and over the long term you will be profitable. Use the power of compounding over the long haul and you have made your fortune. Trading means making consistent steady profits! Learn prudent money management rules. Avoid using excessive leverage that puts your investment capital at risk. Always trade with a stop! Never try to win big in one single trade. This is not trading, it is gambling. Always live to trade another day. If you believe in winning big than quit trading and start gambling! But if you do that you will only ruin yourself.

3) Set a reasonable risk/reward ratio for your trades. Never ever override yours stops for emotional reasons. Don't react to price action, buying just because you think it is cheap or selling because you think the price is high now. Always use technical analysis to make your decisions. Never ever trade emotionally. Stick to your plan and maintain your trading discipline. Always develop and make a trading plan before you take up trading.

4) Always remember you should plan each trade before actually entering it. You are not a punter. Always plan each trade. Don't punt. Punting is trading for the sake of trading without any planning or view.

5) Don't try to trade around round numbers. Don't leave stops at round numbers or obvious levels. If you do that chances are they will be triggered.

6) Don't add to a losing position unless it is part of a plan to scale into a position. In other words, don't double up just in order to recoup your losses. Only do that if it is part of a trading strategy.

7) When trading with a trend always use a trailing stop loss order. When trading against the trend be disciplined in taking profits and don't hold out for the last pip.

8) Emotions are your biggest enemies in trading. Never make emotional decisions in trading. Avoid emotional highs or lows on individual trades. Consistency should be your target. Treat trading as a continuum. Don't base your success on one trade.

9) Try to trade multicurrency. This will hedge your risk. Always keep an idea on the crosses.

10) Be cognizant of what news is coming out each day so that you never get surprised. Don't trade just ahead of an economic news release. Always beware of volatility following the economic releases.

11) There are highly illiquid periods everyday when one market closes and the other is not open. You should avoid these times. Beware of central bank intervention in illiquid markets. Stay away from illiquid times like holidays or pre-holidays when liquidity is thin. - 23204

About the Author:

Mr. Ahmad Hassam has done Masters from Harvard University. Try These Cash Printing Forex Signals From Heaven. Know A Forex Trading System With An ROI of 3000% Per Month!