Start with one contract and feel it out, no better way to learn than by doing in live with 1 contract (probably not ES try something requiring less margin).

I'd not advise people to stick to sim for too long. I probably use a new application in sim for about a week when first start using it to get used to the quirks and then just go live. Sim is not always an accurate reflection of live in terms of the simulation process and neither in psychology when trading it. That's a more general comment for anyone reading this currently on sim facing similar decisions.

As others have said great feedback on these topics in this forum, do some searching and you'll find some treasure.

hope that helps,

Sands.

Hood 

Guys, thanks for all of the good advice. In summary I am under capitalised... With my 6 tick stop loss method I think I am ok but with my other method which requires a larger stop loss my risk is too large. But to be honest I am having other problems at the moment with the transition to live trading. Also the market conditions seemed to have changed since my back testing. I'll start a separate thread on these issues though. Again, thanks for the good advice.

Your not under capatilised unless you want to start taking a wage out of it any time soon, then sadly YES

How big a SL will the other method need, IF the method is sound and the win rate is high enough, I'd not think twice on going to a 3 or ever 4% risk level for it.

Market conditions are very slow, then huge moves due to low volume just happen, this will get worse as the summer continues until September, but then Xmas slows it down again.

It's never easy!