Why do some people thrive in the futures market while others keep getting liquidated? Often, the problem isn't how crazy the market is or how shady the platform might be, but rather that hidden risks were already planted from the very first trade.

They agreed to only use 5x leverage, with $10,000 in their account—ideally, losing a few hundred dollars at most. But when market sentiment turns intense? Out of impulse, they suddenly open a position worth $30,000, instantly exposing themselves to dozens of times the risk. A 3-5% market fluctuation can wipe out their account entirely. It’s not that they didn’t have time to stop loss; from the moment they opened the position, it shouldn’t have existed at all.

This is no longer trading; it’s gambling.

Those who truly survive in the futures market operate completely differently. They spend 70% of their time observing, waiting for clear signals before taking action. Once they decide to strike, they target precise entry points, manage position sizes systematically, and execute stop-loss orders decisively. Look at most retail traders—doing 70-80 trades a day, acting impulsively when emotions run high, busy every day, thinking that’s effort. But in reality, all their money gets eaten up by the market’s order book.

The essence of futures trading is actually very simple: **risk management, not predicting the market direction**. The traders who last long have a few ironclad rules in their minds:

- The maximum loss per trade is 5% of the total account balance—this is the lifeline.
- Only consider adding to a position when the account is profitable.
- Let profits run, and stick firmly to planned stop-losses.

Making money never relies on a few lucky trades; it’s accumulated through hundreds or even thousands of trades, gradually building an advantage with stable probability.

Some may ask, is futures trading essentially gambling? Honestly, **for those who recklessly add leverage and trade on instinct, it definitely is**. But for disciplined traders who understand precise calculations, position management, and strict rules, futures is a “probability + rules” tool.

Impulsive trading without discipline only leads to one outcome—dead end.

Want to survive longer in this market? Remember the simplest advice: **Slow down, just stay alive**. Once you learn how to survive, making money becomes a bonus.