In contract trading, the most common way for beginners to die is summed up in eight words: limited capital, appetite too big.

Holding only a few hundred or at most a couple of thousand USDT in your hand, but operating at a pace that involves tens of thousands of dollars in your mind. Before even entering the market, you're already thinking about whether this move can double your money. The result is almost always the same—no matter how small, mosquitoes are still meat, and they disappear in a second.

I've seen small fund traders who survive into their second year, and their strategies are surprisingly consistent. Not because they are highly skilled, but because they genuinely want to stay alive longer.

**First, never go all-in.**

Divide a $1000 capital into 5 parts. Use only $200 per trade, keeping the rest as reserve funds. Sounds conservative? The benefit is— even if you completely mess up this trade, you only bleed a little, not end up in ICU. The mental difference is huge; you won't panic at the first loss.

**Second, leverage must have a limit.**

5 to 10 times leverage is enough. Those shouting about 50x or 100x? To put it bluntly, that’s not trading skill, that’s gambling. A 10% move in $BTC can’t even withstand 10x leverage, let alone higher multiples. Professional traders have an average win rate of just over 60%. Why do you think you can win every time? Once you consider this probability, you’ll understand the necessity of controlling leverage.

**The third pitfall is the deadliest: losing and then adding more.**

Losing and then trying to add positions or leverage to turn it around is the fastest way to get out of the game. A mistake is a mistake; there’s no need for excuses. Stop for two or three days, calm down, review your trades. The market opens every day; it’s not lacking opportunities for you. The more you’re losing, the slower your pace should be.

**The most crucial step after making a profit: must take profits out.**

Take out at least 300U when you earn 500U, leaving only 200U in your account to continue trading. This may seem like “not being greedy,” but it’s actually the smartest move—having cash in hand builds confidence, and you won’t be wiped out by a single adverse move. The mindset with a protective moat and without one are worlds apart.

**Finally, talk about trading discipline.**

When daily losses reach 2%, start to be cautious. If losses hit 6%, close the software immediately and don’t trade anymore. For profitable trades, first protect your principal, then let the profits run on their own.

In one sentence: money is earned bit by bit with your fingertips, not all at once with a single shot. The traders who survive the longest are often the most inconspicuous.