(binned per thread starter's request) May The Fork Be With You!

My trading strategy is discretionary. In other words it is not system based. and it does not rely on indicators for entry. I use a combination of price action and Andrew's Pitchfork and yes, a little bit of luck.

But the most important aspect of my trading is really not my strategy but rather extremely sound money management which includes a reasonable risk:reward or R:R.
At any given time I will risk no more than 1-2% of my available trading capital. Trading capital is different than the amount in your trading brokerage account. I keep an adequate amount in my trading account to accommodate my trading. If I have a streak of losers I add to the brokerage account. If I have a streak of winners I withdraw from the brokerage account.

I use a 3:1 R:R to determine whether or not I will enter a trade. If 3:1 is not realistic then I will pass.

Finally I plan my trades before entry. This means I identify my target and my SL. Given my stated 3:1 R:R my TP must be 3 times my SL AND it must not exceed 1-2% of my trading capital. This 1-2% is inclusive of all active trades. So if I have 3 trades going on, all 3 must not exceed 1-2% of my trading capital.

Once I have entered a trade I let it play out. I either hit my profit target or my SL. I never exit before. If I was to exit before then I violate my R:R. If this became a habit I would most likely progressively degrade my trading capital even if my trading strategy is sound.

Using strict money management prevents one from the proverbial "blown account" There really is no reason to ever blow one's account.

I believe a trader should first learn money management and fully understand R:R before entering their first trade. Much of the reason new traders blow accounts or continue to lose again and again is because they do not follow any money management rules. Sure they follow their entry and exit rules but they often exit prematurely and don't follow their trading plan.

I trade 20 min charts using Oanda's web-based platform but enter trades on MT4.

I've been trading 1 minute charts for a while. A fast way to learn how the market moves. If your swing trading and/or using pitchforks you can quickly gain understanding of how the market moves.

Added this to the first page.

Basic concepts:
1. Swings can often be defined by their relative size. Structuring a market according to relatively sized swings is fundamental to understanding how the market moves.
2. Price naturally moves in impulses then retraces. The retracement is used to measure the swings. The impulse can also be used but comes more in handy for targets.
3. Swings are defined by their retracement size as follows:
........a. A swing high is confirmed by a new swing low. The move to a new swing low is the impulse.
........b. A swing low is confirmed by a new swing high. The move to a new swing high is the impulse.

So what markets and time frames are you trading at the moment Winston?