Imagine this: you, a seasoned forex and futures warrior, wielding millions in capital. The thrill of the trade is amplified, the potential rewards staggering. But where do you find this financial Excalibur? Prop firms like The Trading Pit promise just that, but is it a golden opportunity or a gilded cage?
This in-depth The Trading Pit Review cuts through the hype, meticulously examining its offerings, fees, and the all-important challenges. We’ll answer the burning questions: is The Trading Pit the key to unlocking your full trading potential, or is it a launchpad headed for a different kind of market crash? Buckle up, experienced traders, because this review is about to reveal the truth behind The Trading Pit.
What is The Trading Pit?
CME GROUP as an Institutional User.
Trading Instruments and Platforms
The Trading Pit boasts a vast selection of tradable instruments, allowing you to express your trading ideas across various asset classes. Here’s a breakdown of what you can expect:
- Forex: Major, minor, and exotic currency pairs are available, providing ample opportunities for directional and arbitrage strategies.
- Futures: Trade a wide range of futures contracts, including metals, energies, indices, and even cryptocurrencies (through CFDs). This caters to diverse trading styles, from trend following to scalping.
- CFDs: Contract for Differences (CFDs) allow you to speculate on price movements of stocks, ETFs, and additional instruments without physically owning the underlying asset.
The Trading Pit is designed with user experience and functionality in mind, offering an array of features and tools to cater to traders of all levels. Here are the main aspects of its platform usability:
- MetaTrader 4 (MT4): A popular platform beloved by many experienced forex traders, MT4 provides a familiar interface with advanced charting tools and automated trading capabilities (Expert Advisors).
- Futures Trading Platforms: The platform also supports futures trading with free real-time data and licenses for platforms like Rithmic, ATAS, and Quantower. Traders can also use their own licenses for platforms such as Sierra Charts and Jigsaw.
User Interface
- Dashboard: The platform features an intuitive and easy-to-navigate dashboard, providing traders with a comprehensive view of their trading activities. This user-friendly interface helps traders quickly access necessary information and tools.
- Charting Tools: The Trading Pit provides sophisticated charting tools that enable detailed technical analysis. These tools include various indicators and drawing tools to help traders make informed decisions.
Profit Sharing
The profit-sharing model is equally enticing. The Trading Pit offers a tiered structure, with successful traders keeping up to 80% of the profits generated on the account. This incentivizes high performance and aligns your interests with those of the firm.
Challenges and Fees
To access these lucrative accounts, you’ll need to navigate a series of challenges. The Trading Pit offers different challenge structures depending on the account tier you’re aiming for. Here’s a general overview:
- Challenge Fees: These range from $99 for the starter accounts to a hefty sum for the advanced tiers. The exact cost depends on the specific challenge chosen.
- Challenge Structure: While details are not readily available on their website, some sources suggest challenges may involve profitability targets, maximum drawdown limits, and holding periods. There’s also the question of whether these challenges have time limits, which could be crucial for some traders.
|
Account Type
|
Cost
|
Daily Drawdown
|
Max Drawdown
|
Profit Target
|
Profit Share
|
Example Payouts
|
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
|
Lite
|
$99
|
4%
|
7%
|
10%
|
50-70%
|
$500 – $12,080
|
|
Standard
|
$169
|
4%
|
7%
|
8%
|
50-70%
|
$1,500 – $111,900
|
|
Executive
|
$349
|
4%
|
7%
|
8%
|
60-80%
|
$2,500 – $131,850
|
|
VIP
|
$599
|
4%
|
7%
|
8%
|
70-80%
|
$2,500 – $320,000
|
The platform emphasizes clear and upfront pricing with no hidden fees, which is crucial for financial planning and maintaining trust.
Trading Rules
- Minimum Trading Days:
- Lite and Standard Accounts: Minimum of 3 trading days.
- Executive and VIP Accounts: Minimum of 5 trading days
- Trade Duration:
- Minimum trade duration is 1 minute to prevent scalping.
- Trades cannot be copied from other traders.
- High-frequency trading and news trading are allowed with certain restrictions (no trades within 2 minutes before and after high-impact news events)
- Risk Management:
- Traders must not exceed 50% of the profit target in a single trading day to ensure gradual and consistent trading behavior.
- Positions can be held overnight and over weekends
- Profit Share:
- Starts at 50-60% and can go up to 80% based on account type and performance
- Reset and Extend Options:
- Traders can reset their accounts if they risk breaching the trading parameters, allowing them to start fresh with the remaining days of the challenge.
- Extension options are available to add more trading days without starting over, giving traders additional time to meet their targets
The Trading Pit Scaling Plan
The Trading Pit offers a structured scaling plan that allows traders to progress through different account levels by achieving set profit targets and adhering to drawdown limits. You start with a smaller account and gradually progress to larger ones based on your performance. Here’s a detailed overview of the scaling plan:
|
Level
|
Account Balance
|
Profit Target
|
Daily Drawdown
|
Max Drawdown
|
Profit Share
|
Payout Example
|
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
|
1
|
$10,000
|
10%
|
4%
|
7%
|
50%
|
$500
|
|
2
|
$20,000
|
10%
|
4%
|
7%
|
50%
|
$1,000
|
|
3
|
$40,000
|
10%
|
4%
|
7%
|
55%
|
$2,200
|
|
4
|
$60,000
|
10%
|
4%
|
7%
|
55%
|
$3,300
|
|
5
|
$100,000
|
10%
|
4%
|
7%
|
60%
|
$6,000
|
|
6
|
$150,000
|
10%
|
4%
|
7%
|
60%
|
$9,000
|
|
7
|
$200,000
|
10%
|
4%
|
7%
|
65%
|
$13,000
|
|
8
|
$250,000
|
10%
|
4%
|
7%
|
65%
|
$16,250
|
|
9
|
$350,000
|
10%
|
4%
|
7%
|
65%
|
$22,750
|
|
10
|
$500,000
|
10%
|
4%
|
7%
|
70%
|
$35,000
|
Features of the Scaling Plan
- Incremental Account Balance Increases:
- Starting with an initial balance, traders can scale up to a higher account balance upon reaching the profit targets and maintaining risk management protocols.
- For example, starting with a $100,000 account, the next balance can be $150,000 upon successful completion of the level’s criteria.
- Profit Targets and Drawdown Limits:
- Consistent profit targets set at 10% of the account balance for each level.
- Daily drawdown limit remains at 4%, and the maximum drawdown limit is set at 7%, ensuring disciplined risk management.
- Profit Sharing:
- Profit sharing starts at 50% and increases as traders progress through the levels, reaching up to 70% at higher levels.
- This incentivizes traders to continue improving their performance and scaling their accounts.
- Weekly Payouts:
- Payouts are processed weekly upon meeting the profit targets.
- Traders can request payouts without hindering their progress to the next level, ensuring continuous growth and profitability.
- Reset and Extend Options:
- Traders can reset their accounts if they are at risk of breaching the trading parameters, providing a fresh start with the remaining days of the challenge.
- The extend option allows for additional trading days, giving traders more time to meet their profit targets without starting over.
- Scaling to $5 Million:
- The ultimate goal for traders is to scale their accounts up to $5 million, with an increased profit share of up to 80%, maximizing earning potential.
The Trading Pit’s scaling plan is designed to reward consistent performance and effective risk management. By offering incremental account balance increases, attractive profit-sharing models, and flexible reset and extend options, The Trading Pit provides a comprehensive and motivating environment for traders to grow their skills and earnings.
The Trading Pit Leverage
The Trading Pit offers leverage options designed to balance potential profits with risk management, tailored to various account types and trading instruments. Here are the key points regarding leverage:
Forex and CFD Accounts
- Leverage for Forex CFDs: Up to 1:30
- This is intended to adhere to safety norms and ensure responsible trading practices.
- It allows traders to manage larger positions with a relatively smaller capital investment, amplifying both potential gains and risks.
Futures Accounts
- Futures Trading: Varied leverage based on the account type
- Lite Account: Up to 10 micro contracts
- Standard Account: Up to 50 micro contracts or 5 standard contracts
- Executive Account: Similar to Standard but with more flexible profit targets and drawdown limits
- VIP Account: Up to 100 micro contracts or 10 standard contracts
Customer Support
- Multi-Channel Support: The Trading Pit excels in customer support, offering assistance via phone, email, and live chat. They also maintain an active presence on social media and instant messaging platforms, ensuring traders can get help promptly.
- FAQ and Community Engagement: An extensive FAQ section and active community engagement through platforms like Discord provide additional support and resources for traders.
Suitability for Advanced Traders
The Trading Pit undoubtedly caters to experienced traders with the potential to generate significant profits. The large account sizes and attractive profit-sharing structure are undeniably appealing. However, several factors need careful consideration before diving in:
Pros:
- Access to significant capital (up to $5 million)
- Potentially lucrative profit-sharing structure (up to 80%)
- Wide range of tradable instruments (Forex CFDs, Futures, Stocks through CFDs)
- The support for MT4/MT5 and popular futures platforms allows for the use of Expert Advisors (EAs). This could be beneficial for systematic traders with well-developed algorithmic strategies.
- The platform’s diverse instruments, combined with the flexibility of holding positions for several days, caters well to swing traders.
Cons:
- High challenge fees, particularly for advanced tiers.
- The 1-minute minimum trade duration restriction might make pure scalping strategies less viable. However, day traders with shorter-term swing positions could benefit from the variety of instruments and the potential for quick profits with the available leverage.
- Potential delays or difficulties in scaling to higher account tiers (based on user reviews).
- The Trading Pit’s profit-sharing model incentivizes aggressive trading to reach profit targets quickly. Risk-averse traders who prioritize capital preservation might find this structure misaligned with their goals.
- No Free Trials: The Trading Pit does not offer free trials for their trading challenges. Traders must pay the entry fee upfront to participate, which means they need to commit financially without an opportunity to test the platform first. This can be a disadvantage for those who want to evaluate the platform’s suitability before making an investment
Account Termination
- Breach of Trading Rules: Accounts can be terminated if traders violate the outlined trading rules. This includes:
- Scalping with trades under 1 minute.
- High-frequency trading (HFT) strategies.
- Achieving profit targets through a single, large trade.
- Inconsistent trading practices or gambling (e.g., significant deviations in position sizes).
- Exploitation of system errors or use of arbitrage trading strategies.
- Holding positions over the weekend without permission.
- Copying trades from other sources (not your own external accounts).
- Exploitation and Manipulation: Any attempt to exploit system errors, trade on slow data feeds, or manipulate market conditions will result in immediate termination of the account without compensation. This includes using software or EAs (Expert Advisors) that aim to misuse the system.
- Prohibited Practices: The use of EAs is allowed, but traders must adhere to guidelines that prevent the use of emulators, latency arbitrage, and reverse trading strategies. Engaging in these prohibited practices can lead to account closure
Alternatives to The Trading Pit
The prop trading landscape is vast, and several established firms offer similar opportunities. Before committing to TTP, consider exploring these alternatives:
- FTMO: A well-regarded prop firm with a transparent fee structure and tiered challenge accounts. They offer a refund on the initial challenge fee if specific criteria are met.
- FundedNext: Another popular option known for its customer support and multiple challenge options with varying difficulty levels and costs.
- MyFundedFutures: This prop firm caters specifically to futures traders and offers a unique “pay-as-you-go” challenge structure, allowing you to spread the cost over time.
|
Feature
|
The Trading Pit
|
FTMO
|
FundedNext
|
|---|---|---|---|
|
Account Sizes
|
$5,000 – $5 million
|
$10,000 – $2 million
|
$5,000 – $2 million
|
|
Profit Sharing
|
Up to 80%
|
Up to 70%
|
Up to 80%
|
|
Instruments
|
Forex, Futures, CFDs
|
Forex, Stocks, Indices
|
Forex, Metals, Indices
|
|
Trading Platforms
|
MT4, MT5, Rithmic, ATAS, Quantower (supported platforms), User-owned platforms (e.g., Sierra Charts)
|
MT4, MT5, Ctrader
|
MT4, MT5, Ctrader
|
|
Challenge Fees
|
$99 – Premium (depending on tier)
|
$59 – $1400 (varies by account size)
|
$39 – $1300 (depends on account type)
|
|
Challenge Structure
|
Profitability targets, Drawdown limits, Holding periods (Details not readily available)
|
Profit targets, Drawdown limits
|
Profit targets, Drawdown limits
|
|
Scaling Plan
|
Yes, with incremental account increases based on performance
|
Yes, with different account tiers
|
Yes, with multiple account options
|
|
Profit Target Payouts
|
Weekly
|
Weekly
|
Every 14 Days
|
|
Customer Support
|
Phone, Email, Live Chat, Social Media, FAQ
|
Email, Live Chat
|
Email, Live Chat
|
|
Trading Styles Supported
|
Day trading, Swing trading (restrictions on scalping)
|
Day trading, Scalping, Swing
|
Day trading, Swing trading
|
The Final Verdict
The Trading Pit presents a compelling proposition for experienced forex and futures traders seeking access to substantial capital. The potential rewards, particularly with the high profit-sharing structure, are undeniably attractive. However, the high challenge fees, lack of transparency in certain areas, and concerns about scalability necessitate a cautious approach.
FAQs
How does The Trading Pit handle withdrawals and payouts?
They payout weekly. Hit your targets, follow the rules, and request a withdrawal – easy as that. You can keep growing your account while taking profits regularly. No waiting for some far-off milestone.
What happens if I fail a challenge at The Trading Pit?
Not the end of the world. You can reset your account and keep going with the remaining time. They also let you extend the challenge if you need more days to hit your targets. No starting from scratches every time.
What is the process for getting started with The Trading Pit?
Pick a challenge that fits your goals, pay the fee, and you’re in. They give you access to the platform and everything you need to pass. Once you hit your profit targets and trade responsibly, you get a funded account to trade with real money.
Can I trade over weekends and during holidays on The Trading Pit?
The good thing is you can hold positions overnight and weekends. This is helpful if you have longer-term trades or prefer to manage them over extended periods. Just remember to follow their risk management rules, especially during these times.
How does The Trading Pit evaluate the performance of its traders?
They keep an eye on you to see if you can hit your profit targets, stay within risk limits, and follow the trading rules. Do well consistently, and you can move up their program, getting bigger accounts and a bigger share of the profits. It keeps you on your toes and trading smartly.
How does The Trading Pit handle market volatility and unexpected events?
They have guidelines for trading during crazy market swings. Sometimes they might even restrict trading during big news announcements. This is to protect you from blowing up your account because of unexpected market moves. It’s always good practice to use your own risk management tools as well.
How can I track my progress and performance on The Trading Pit?
They’ve got a great dashboard that shows you everything – your trades, performance metrics, and how close you are to meeting your challenge targets. You can see your profits, losses, how much risk you’re taking, and if you’re following the rules. This way, you can stay informed and make decisions based on real data.