Rookie vs Pro Day Trading Challenge
I threw down the gauntlet. One of my own members, Timmy, challenged me to a head-to-head trading battle to see who could make the most money over 10 days. Would I retain my reigning champion title, or would Timmy dethrone me on Day 10?
Day 1: Unforeseen Obstacles
Things didn’t start so well for me. My chosen gap scanner didn’t offer any promising opportunities, while Timmy, with his advantage of free commissions, capitalized on some low-priced stocks. He secured a lead on Day 1, leaving me with no trades and some serious questions about my strategy.
Day 2: Greed and Overtrading
Day 2 saw us both trading the same stock. While I finished the day green, Timmy surprisingly ended up in the red. He confessed to overtrading and falling victim to greed, letting profits slip away. This served as a stark reminder of the emotional rollercoaster ride that is day trading.
Day 3: The Market Throws a Curveball
Day 3 was brutal for everyone. The leading gappers were terrible, and both of us ended up with losses. This highlighted the importance of market conditions and how even the best strategies can struggle in adverse situations.
Day 4: A Tale of Two Strategies
Day 4 saw me struggling with penny stocks and high commissions, while Timmy thrived on his free commission broker and small-scale trading approach. This day truly showcased the differences between our strategies and the advantages each offered.
Day 5: Neck-and-Neck
By Day 5, we were neck-and-neck. While I had a $5,000 green day thanks to pre-market analysis, Timmy’s smaller trades and free commissions kept him close. This was a day of strategy refinement and constant adaptation.
Day 6: Patience and Opportunity
Day 6 saw me take a no-trade day, while Timmy capitalised on extended dips with smaller trades. This highlighted the importance of patience and the ability to identify opportunities, even amidst market uncertainty.
Day 7: The Turning Point
Day 7 was a turning point. Breaking news sent a stock skyrocketing, and I jumped in with my larger trade size and direct routing advantage, securing a $10,000 profit. This was a day where my strategy paid off in a big way.
Day 8: The Art of Scalping
Day 8 saw us both trade the same gapping stocks, with me securing a $2,900 profit. However, this day also highlighted Timmy’s exceptional scalping skills, churning 500,000 shares and showcasing his unique trading style.
Day 9: A No-Trade Day and a Big Win for Timmy
Day 9 was another no-trade day for me, while Timmy once again proved his dedication with a $1,300 profit. This day showcased the importance of consistency and the ability to capitalize on even small opportunities.
Day 10: A Halloween Surprise
The final day, Halloween, saw Timmy pull off an impressive feat. He secured a $4,100 profit by aggressively scalping a downtrending stock. This was a day of sheer mastery and a testament to Timmy’s trading prowess.
The Final Verdict
While I ultimately emerged victorious in the challenge with a $22,700 profit to Timmy’s $11,500, it was a close call. Timmy’s aggressive scalping style and free commission broker proved to be formidable advantages.
The most important takeaway from this challenge is that there’s no single “right” way to trade. Success requires a well-defined strategy, adaptability, and the ability to manage emotions. Both Timmy and I showcased different approaches that yielded significant profits.
This challenge was more than just a competition; it was a learning experience for both of us. We pushed each other to become better traders, and I have immense respect for Timmy’s talent and dedication. I look forward to future challenges and the opportunity to continue learning and growing as traders.
Stay Social
Check out more articles written by Ross Cameron on Entrepreneur and don’t forget to check out his YouTube channel. To learn more about Ross, check out his biography on his website or on TireKickers. In case you hadn’t heard, Ross Cameron turned $583 into over $10 million day trading small cap stocks. You can read about it on Entrepreneur. You can also keep up with Ross Cameron and Warrior Trading on Twitter. Also, make sure to check out Ross’s brand new book, How To Day Trade: The Plain Truth!
Warrior Trading was founded by Ross Cameron in 2012. Today Warrior Trading is a thriving community of thousands of day traders learning to trade under the curriculum designed by Ross.