Revenge sizing: how to check for it in your journal
Posted: Fri Oct 30, 2026 8:43 am
Many traders are sure they don't revenge trade because they never take extra trades after a loss. Position size is a quieter channel and worth checking.
How it happens: after a loss you round the lot size up, or use a slightly tighter stop at the same lots, which increases risk. None of it feels like a decision.
How to check:
It's the kind of thing a quick look at results never shows.
The fix is mechanical: an order panel or script that calculates size from the stop distance, with no override unless you confirm it in a dialog.
Has anyone found subtle revenge behaviour like this? Size may be a more common channel than the number of trades.
How it happens: after a loss you round the lot size up, or use a slightly tighter stop at the same lots, which increases risk. None of it feels like a decision.
How to check:
- For every trade, compute actual risk in percent: stop distance × lots × pip value ÷ balance.
- Group trades by what came before: after a loss, after a win, first of the day.
- Compare average risk in each group with your plan.
It's the kind of thing a quick look at results never shows.
The fix is mechanical: an order panel or script that calculates size from the stop distance, with no override unless you confirm it in a dialog.
Has anyone found subtle revenge behaviour like this? Size may be a more common channel than the number of trades.