[cowpip]

We can probably all tell by now that there is a fairly big difference in the tools that the pro's use to trade compared to retailers. They have access to tools that provide them with a unique view of the market (such as real-time order book flows). Most of us do not. But their view of the market is no different than the rest of us.

I'd like to be clear about one thing: Anna-Maria and the rest of the pro crew would be perfectly successful in their trading with or without access to those tools. We have to remember that they are dealing with entries that are SIGNIFICANTLY LARGER than the sizes retailers play with and that they likely NEED those extra tools in order to justify placement of such large orders. When you're dealing with many thousands of dollars PER PIP on a trade, you want to be absolutely certain that not only is the situation a GRADE-A setup according to your 'edge,' but that anything and everything else that is known about the market is skewed toward your entry. They are dealing with some SERIOUS cash. Their investors would balk if they weren't using anything but the highest quality information.

But their access to those tools does not in any way negate the effectiveness of their strategies they employ. I've seen some of them trade on their personal accounts with absolutely fantastically stunning results.

So don't let their use of these professional tools distort your thinking about what is and what is not possible.

They could undoubtably trade naked in the bathtub while simultaneously blow-drying their hair without getting shocked. Although I'm not certain I'd want to see proof of that!