Stimulation Mode to Real Trading with Broker?

[SharonSS]

Hello,

I have a Futures account with NinjaTrader. I have been using the Simulation Mode, but today did my first NT Futures real trade. To make a real trade, I clicked on Global Stimulation Mode to uncheck it. However when I did the trade, the result went under Sim 101 under Accounts on my platform. I tried closing and reopening NT and when I did, the Simulation Mode was checked again. So I didn't do something else I was suppose to do, but don't understand what.

When I opened the NT Futures account, I asked the question about trading in Simulation Mode and received the following answer. It seems quite clear, but there is something I don't understand so please help.


Hi Sharon,
Thanks for all the kind words!
When you disable 'Global Simulation Mode' this gives you the ability to switch between your live and simulation accounts. You will not need to switch connections. You should notice that when it is enabled the account drop downs are greyed out and fixed to 'Sim101' however when you disable it you can now choose an account from the drop down.
Please don't hesitate to contact me with any NinjaTrader questions.
Sincerely,
Patrick
NinjaTrader Customer Service


That was a good trade too! LOL
Sincerely,
Sharon Shepperd

[NinjaTrader_PatrickG]

From your Control Center go to File > Uncheck "Global Simulation Mode". You should now be able to switch between the simulation account and your live account from the account drop down lists of your order entry windows. Here is a screenshot example:

http://screencast.com/t/9NIy0oQe

The account selected in the account drop down determines what account your trades will submit to. In my screenshot, global simulation mode is enabled and the account drop down is greyed out. When you disabled global simulation mode you will be able to switch to your live account in this drop down list.

Global simulation mode will be selected by default. If you would like to disable this, please go to Tools > Options > Simulator tab > uncheck "Always start in simulation".

[SharonSS]

Patrick, thank you for your response and screen shot. However, I don't have that platform, I have the free Direct one. Will buy or lease platform when I earn the money for it. :-)

I went into Tools as you suggest and unclicked to stop in Stimulation Mode. I then rebooted and the Check Mark was gone. However, in my Account drop, Stim 101 is in White and my Sharon Sh account is Blue so I don't think real trades is an option yet.

This is too bad because it was a good trade and DormanLLC is starting to charge me $25 for inactivity and my trade would have eliminated that charge next month. I think.

[SharonSS]

Patrick, thank you for your response and screen shot. However, I don't have that platform, I have the free Direct one. Will buy or lease platform when I earn the money for it. :-)

I went into Tools as you suggest and unclicked to stop in Stimulation Mode. I then rebooted and the Check Mark was gone. However, in my Account drop, Stim 101 is in White and my Sharon Sh account is Blue so I don't think real trades is an option yet.

This is too bad because it was a good trade and DormanLLC is starting to charge me $25 for inactivity and my trade would have eliminated that charge next month. I think.

Update: Under Accounts on platform when I clicked on Sim 101 to see what happens, it's now in Blue and the Sharon Sh account is now White. I'll try a trade when my setup comes up again to see what happens.

[SharonSS]

Update: Under Accounts on platform when I clicked on Sim 101 to see what happens, it's now in Blue and the Sharon Sh account is now White. I'll try a trade when my setup comes up again to see what happens.

Nope! Two good trades to Sim 101.

[SharonSS]

I think I got it. When I stretched my Platform longer I see a Account Drop Box. There I changed to my Account! Duh! Sorry, just didn't see it until I made the Platform longer. Here's betting the next trade I take will be a loser so maybe done for the day. LOL

[NinjaTrader_PatrickG]

I'm glad you were able to locate the account drop down list. Keep in mind that each window will need to be switched independently when you wish to choose an account, For example, if you've changed to your live account on the Orders tab of the Control Center, this will not change the account on your SuperDOM.

[SharonSS]

I'm glad you were able to locate the account drop down list. Keep in mind that each window will need to be switched independently when you wish to choose an account, For example, if you've changed to your live account on the Orders tab of the Control Center, this will not change the account on your SuperDOM.

Wow! Thanks for that. I didn't even know I had a Super Dome. LOL I've never really been interested in it because it moves so fast. I do better with chart and price.

Just one more clarification. I changed the Dome account, but on the Platform drop down should my real account be high lighted in Blue or White.

Ok, two questions. I can only trade day due to account level, should the TIF show Day or GTc on both Dome and platform. I do want chart to show all sessions.

TIA,
Sharon

[NinjaTrader_PatrickG]

As I mentioned, each window needs to be changed individually. The important part to remember is that you change whatever window you are using to place trades (Orders tab of the Control Center, SuperDOM, Chart Trader, Basic Entry, etc.) to the account you wish your trades to submit to.

TIF stands for Time in Force. This controls how long your orders will exist. A TIF of 'Day' will submit your orders as Day orders that are cancelled at the end of the daily session as defined by your broker. GTC stands for 'Good Til Cancelled', which will not cancel the order until you do so yourself. Clarify with your broker which TIF is OK for the instruments which you trade. These settings do not affect the hours which your chart displays.

Typically most instruments will display the ETH hours for an instrument. It is controlled by the Session Template settings. Unless you have specific reason to change the template (you want to only see regular market hours, or you want to see 24/7 data), there is no reason to change the charts from their default settings.