For beginners interested in short-term trading, don't rush to enter the market. As a live trading practitioner, I want to share some real pitfalls and ways to avoid them.

Many people register an account and then can't wait to open positions, resulting in frequent trading and losses. In fact, short-term trading emphasizes rhythm and discipline—finding the right entry point is a hundred times more important than blindly placing orders.

Here are some core ideas for short-term trading:

First, focus on the short-term charts of 1, 5, and 15 minutes; don't be fooled by the daily chart. Second, keep your tools simple, concentrating on candlestick patterns, moving averages, and volume indicators—too many tools can cause confusion. Then, have clear entry and exit points: take profits at $3-$8 and cut losses at $1-$3. Don't be greedy, and avoid holding onto losing positions. Lastly, remember to target high-volatility periods; the London session opening often presents opportunities.

Regarding avoiding pitfalls, these bottom lines must be maintained—

Stay out during the first 5 minutes after data releases; events like Non-Farm Payrolls and CPI can cause spreads to widen sharply and slippage to be severe. If losses exceed $2, cut your losses decisively. Many people hold on stubbornly, turning short-term trades into medium-term ones, and end up trapped. Also, consider the overall trend on the 1-hour chart; if the moving averages are upward, only go long. Going against the trend is like giving away money. Control your trading frequency—no more than 5 trades per day, and spend 80% of your time observing rather than placing orders.

Realistically, the success rate for short-term trading is generally around 55%-65%. It may not seem high, but as long as the risk-reward ratio is good (earning $5 while risking $3), it will be profitable in the long run. I recommend beginners practice on a demo account first, develop a stable strategy, and only move to live trading once consistent profits are achieved. Short-term trading is like dancing on the edge of a knife; the only insurance is strict trading discipline.

All my trades are real and practical, with no falsehoods. If you have ideas, feel free to exchange and discuss, and let's explore methods together in the market.