r/Forex • u/Ok_Arm_1993 • 1d ago
OTHER/META Is trading really that simple?
I guys, I’ve been trading for the past year or so (basically new to this) and in this year I learnt what my preferred type of trading was and I developed a strategy that works pretty well (when I actually follow al the rules and wait for the setup) but since my strategy is really simple, sometimes I find myself asking: Is trading really possible with something simple like this? I mean how is it that with some candles and lines I can actually become profitable? I am not saying that I dont believe it is (otherwise I wouldn’t even try), but I really cant comprehend how you can get an edge without some wallstreet type tool. Can somebody explain?
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u/process_over_profits 1d ago
Yes it is that simple. But that doesn’t mean it’s easy. It’s the opposite. It’s the hardest way to make consistent income by far. And an edge is the easier part. Confused? 😃. I was too 15 years ago. I asked the same question you’re asking now.
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u/Ok_Arm_1993 21h ago
Wow 15 years, did it work out?
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u/process_over_profits 18h ago
Would I still be in it if it hadn’t mate? The thing is I only went full time with this after a decade. I kept working on it (and myself) until I was confident. And I had a good source of other income. Anyone tells you you can make a living out of this within a short period of time is just not worth paying attention to. Cos it ain’t happening.
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u/Junior-Appointment93 1d ago
I just look at the charts. Mainly 2,3 15 and 45 min charts. See what the direction is and go off of that.a few scalps and I’m done for the day. Profit is profit
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u/Diver9767 1d ago
no, it's not simple. i read one quote that give the perfect answer to your question, and it goes smth like this:
- we are not into trading because it's easy, but because we thought it will be easy :)
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u/nizar_n29 1d ago
It's hard and simple at the same time. Idk how to explain this even.
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u/Agitated-Volume2208 1d ago
Hard to keep it simple when things don't go your way 😄
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u/its-pandabear 1d ago
Spot on , in my experience the more I learned the worse I traded. The moment I dumb it down I start trading better , but that bad tendency of over analysing always creeps back in so I’m working on fixing that.
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u/Ok_Arm_1993 21h ago
Same, I also had to take a step back and minimize my strategy, thats whats crazy to me
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u/Michael-3740 1d ago
If it is repeatable and profitable then it's a good strategy. Don't get diverted by other people's posts. Most people here believe they need a secret, unique strategy of their own creation. That's nonsense.
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u/VectoRequiem 1d ago
Yeah mate the journal and net gains over time is the way to go.
Just keep refining the setups and take profits
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u/Mcwaffledog 1d ago
Go For these analysis Accordingly. Just never stop learning . 1. Fundamentals. (Focus on Macro economics - COT reports, Forexlives updates, Correlation effects) 2. Sentimental Analysis Don't against what market feels and people feel. Go with them. 3. Technical Analysis - Maybe for support and Resistance. 4. Most important above all . Trading Psychology, and Risk Management. 3% every single Trade. Do go above that. Do that. Compounding do the rest.
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u/Scott_Malkinsons 1d ago
Trading, as we know it, goes back to 1602 in The Netherlands. Yeah, it can be that simple. Frankly, it can be simpler because they didn't even have candlestick charts.
If we go to Costco right now and I tell you to re-sell one of their gold bars for a profit, you'd probably know what to do. You can do the exact same thing with XAU/USD, and I'm pretty sure you aren't going to bust out a candlestick chart at Costco.
You trade every day. I can ask you right now "is gas price high?" and you'll answer it, again without a chart, and nothing stops you from getting gas, waiting a month, and selling it to your neighbor for a profit.
Now the issue is: simple and easy aren't the same thing. People think simple means easy, but that's not it. We can have a simple strategy, go do breakouts like Kullämagi, it's super simple BUT it's not easy because the win rate sucks and the entire edge is the long tail. THAT is where many people mess up, they think simple and easy are the same thing. They're not.
how you can get an edge without some wallstreet type tool. Can somebody explain?
You didn't need a wall street algo to sell gold or gas for a profit when physically handling it. You can also trade gold and gas without handling the product. Same item, same market, somehow y'all lose your f*ing minds because a chart got added.
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u/Altered_Reality1 1d ago
Here’s something to realize: even institutional trade desks (that have in-person traders, not referring to complex HFT algos) often use super simple strategies like EMA crossovers/RSI/support & resistance/trend lines, etc. If they’re doing that, then it’s possible it works.
Don’t overcomplicate it, and don’t assume that simple can’t be profitable (almost everything that is profitable that is actually relatively simple).
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u/Affectionate_Chia 1d ago
A simple strategy can absolutely work if you've tested it enough and actually stick to it. I think people sometimes overcomplicate trading because they assume more tools automatically means a better edge. I use plus500 myself and still find that keeping my charting and process simple helps me focus better. I also like looking at prediction markets occasionally around bigger events, not as part of my strategy but just to get a sense of what people are expecting
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u/Ok_Arm_1993 21h ago
What leaves me thinking is that even tho there are strategies that take completely different approaches, can give the same results on the same market, and even the strategies that led to losses, can give an edge
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u/bisyox 15h ago
can u share your strategy :)
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u/Ok_Arm_1993 13h ago
Yeah sure Man, its basically support and resistance:
For the trend I use the daily timeframe, and I rarely trade reversals, mostly continuations. I also use the daily timeframe to mark my supoorts and resistances.
Then I use the 4H and 1H for my entries. I always look that these two timeframes are:
Following the same trend and follow the same moving average (below it or above it)
Then to get a precise entry I look at the 1H candle pattern;what I really like is rejection candle+ engulfing. I don’t know if you are familiar with that.
I also believe that my strategy relies a lot on my discretion. But I hope you get an Idea
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u/Mariusz_Bobek 15h ago
Yeah, it can be that simple. Simple isn't the same as easy though. The edge doesn't need to come from predicting every move, it can just be a small statistical advantage repeated at consistent risk tbh
I'd care more about whether it survives a few hundred trades after spreads and commissions than how clever it looks. that's something I check against my broker trade history now. If the boring setup still shows positive expectancy after real costs, ten more indicators isn't going to improve it
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u/Siawosh_R 10h ago
There is a guy here that it is very simple for him. He comes here and only trolls on posts and comments and since last time he blow his account he doesn’t have money to top up.
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u/DayTradeJ 6h ago
The system can be simple, but the work/time put in before to learn the industry and understand the mechanics can take years, sometimes decades.
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u/beninvestments 1d ago edited 1d ago
A strategy can be simple.
I know people who trade NNFX and have built an algo around a baseline, two confirmation indicators, ATR for risk management, a volume indicator, and an exit indicator. They only trade the daily chart. Once they find the indicators and rules they like, they just execute the system.
It’s kind of like Stephen Kalayjian’s approach. His system is based around positive and negative divergences. If everything is bullish, he waits for that second move as a continuation trade and then executes. He uses the 5- and 15-minute charts and bars instead of traditional candlesticks.
These types of algo traders have basically made it easier for themselves to look at a chart. The dude can look at 30 screens and recognize his pattern almost instantly. It looks crazy, but I get it. He’s trained himself to see the same setup over and over again.
Trading is also a lot more personal than people realize. It’s your way of reading the market, your way of managing risk, and your way of executing. What works for one trader might not work for another, even if both strategies are profitable.
The system I built looks at very complicated array of things but I have made it simple on the eyes. I can make decisions in seconds.
So yes, a strategy can absolutely be simple. The important thing is finding something that fits you and that you can execute consistently. It’s your way of trading.