[torero]

I have several simple automated strategies that have been doing well so far. One over a year and the other 2 over 6 months. I know these can and will fail at any time so I have cut off points where my Uncle Point is.

This is after 2 years of being on TS, learning the code and nuances of the code in describing the strategy into code and the detailed intricacies, factor in as many real life simulations as possible (slippage commission, limit order fill problems etc) but they are simple in the end, just like a discretionary trader should be with this strategy. If the system is too rigid (codes on end with too many filters), it won't survive different market conditions. So the less rigid it is the better chances with surviving through time, but it may take stupid trades but hey, have to take the good with the bad.

This is one thing i've learned: the simpler the strategy, the longer the shelf life but the less profits they are. The other is high profits but it can fail at anytime. So some system traders choose one while others choose the other, personal preferences and also understanding the rules of system trading. It's a trade-off.

The biggest problem is knowing when the system has failed and your cut off point is. This is the last anyone learns but it has to be taught first I believe. This is the first plan when trading it for real.

Finding a profitable system takes time just like learning to discretionary trading and it gets better and quicker in finding new ones, just like discretionary trading.

Good luck.