Paper Trading

[Tigerpine]

Does anyone here have experience with online paper trading?  If so, what platform have you used, and what is your opinion of it?

I've been thinking of opening a paper trading account with TD Ameritrade using their Thinkorswim service.  Anyone ever use this?

[ChpBstrd]

I've used it. Paper trading is a great way to learn the mechanics of a platform.

Unfortunately, I find paper trading boring. Unlike in a video game, there is no payoff for "getting good" at paper trading, because trend shifts eventually make any working strategy obsolete. If it was more entertaining, I might lose a few paper million and learn not to trade.

[EliteZags]

too risky for my blood no thanks

[nouseforausername]

I tried it for options trading with OptionsHouse (bought by eTrade) and with Forex.com for forex.

Eh, it's fun for a bit, but why learn the mechanics of something I don't intend to ever actually do?

[nouseforausername]

too risky for my blood no thanks

It's SEC regulated. Don't worry.

[vand]

It's about as useful as playing poker with play money (ie not at all).

[ChpBstrd]

It's about as useful as playing poker with play money (ie not at all).

Except for learning poker, and having some money left to play with once you've learned.

too risky for my blood no thanks

It's SEC regulated. Don't worry.

I think the top is in on the paper market. I don't even know any offices that use the stuff anymore.

[Tigerpine]

I signed up for TD Ameritrade's Thinkorswim paper trading service, but it's only good for 60 days.  I was hoping for longer than that.

Yes, this is entirely for learning.  I want to learn how to work in different markets without the risk of losing money.  It's one thing to read about it, but another thing entirely to actually do it.  Paper trading is a nice in-between step.

[JohnnyZ]

It's about as useful as playing poker with play money (ie not at all).

Except for learning poker, and having some money left to play with once you've learned.

Hmm, no, poker rooms with play money are full of idiots who are playing roulette with cards (going all-in all the time on the off-chance they double or triple their stack). You don't want to learn poker that way.
 I'm assuming a similar behavior may be encountered with paper trading; you get the urge to do something (go all-in on some new coin or biotech company) that you'd never do with real money.

[EliteZags]

count me out I want no part in having to sort through paper taxes