What was your first margin call?
The first margin call is a rite of passage most traders would rather have skipped. The broker warns, the margin level drops, and if it keeps falling, positions start closing automatically.
Tell the story:
- what the position was
- whether the warning or the close-out came first
- what you changed after
Read the mechanics in leverage and margin explained so you know the sequence before you meet it live.
Background: How to use leverage responsibly: sizing for survival
Leverage multiplies both the gains and the losses, and the account usually learns this before the trader does. Here is how offered leverage differs from used leverage, and how to set yours so a bad week stays a bad week.
How much leverage should a beginner use?
Far less than the broker offers. What matters is used leverage — the position size relative to the account — and beginners should risk about 1% per trade, which usually means micro or mini lots at most.
What is the difference between offered and used leverage?
Offered leverage is the account's maximum, set by the broker and the regulator. Used leverage is what your open positions actually employ. The second number decides whether a move against you is survivable.
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