7-Point Checklist Deep Dive: Point #6 Risk Management Exposed

7-Point Checklist Deep Dive: Point #6 Risk Management Exposed

31 August 2025, 17:00
Diego Arribas Lopez
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Point #6 of the EA evaluation framework eliminates more dangerous EAs than all other points combined.

"Defined Risk After Losses"

Sounds simple. It's not.

Most traders think they understand EA risk management. Then they discover their "conservative" EA uses hidden martingale and blows their account during the first volatile week.

Today I'm exposing what Point #6 really means – and the specific questions that separate professional EAs from account killers.

Why Point #6 Matters Most

The Hidden Danger

EA marketing focuses on wins. Point #6 focuses on losses.

Here's what most evaluation frameworks miss:

  • Point #1-5 tell you if an EA can make money
  • Point #6 tells you if an EA can keep you in business

Real example:

  • EA passes Points 1-5 with flying colors
  • Myfxbook verified, logical strategy, good exits
  • Point #6 reveals unlimited position scaling
  • Result: 89% of users lose money during first drawdown

The Professional Standard

Professional traders ask different questions:

Amateur question: "How much can this EA make?"
Professional question: "What's the worst-case scenario?"

Point #6 answers the professional question.

Deconstructing Point #6

The Complete Framework

"Does the EA have clearly defined risk management after losses?"

This breaks into 4 critical sub-questions:

1. Position Sizing Method

What you need to know:

  • Fixed lots vs dynamic sizing
  • Scaling factors if used (1.3x max for controlled recovery)
  • Maximum position size limits
  • Account percentage caps

Red flags:

  • "Advanced position management" without specifics
  • No maximum scaling limits mentioned
  • Vague "intelligent lot sizing" claims

2. Maximum Drawdown Limits

Professional standard:

  • Hard-coded maximum drawdown (6-8% acceptable)
  • Automatic trading suspension at limit
  • No manual override capabilities
  • Clear recovery procedures

Amateur warning signs:

  • No maximum drawdown specified
  • "Historically low drawdown" without limits
  • Drawdown depends on "market conditions"

3. Loss Recovery Strategy

Controlled approaches:

  • Limited scaling with defined multipliers
  • Maximum number of recovery attempts
  • Automatic reset after single win
  • Clear stop-loss at account level

Dangerous approaches:

  • Unlimited recovery attempts
  • "Never gives up" mentality
  • No account-level stops
  • Manual intervention required

4. Transparency Level

Professional disclosure:

  • Complete risk methodology explained
  • Worst-case scenarios documented
  • Historical maximum drawdown shown
  • Recovery statistics provided

The Point #6 Audit Process

Step 1: Demand Complete Documentation

Essential questions for EA developers:

  1. "What's the exact position sizing formula?"
    • Should get mathematical formula, not marketing speak
    • Example: "Base lot × 1.3 after first loss, maximum 1.5x"
  2. "What's the maximum possible drawdown?"
    • Should get specific percentage, not "low risk"
    • Example: "6.8% maximum, automatic suspension at 7%"
  3. "How many losing trades before the system stops?"
    • Should get exact number, not "intelligent management"
    • Example: "Maximum 3 scaled positions, then pause"

Step 2: Verify Against Live Results

Cross-reference claims with Myfxbook data:

  • Does actual maximum drawdown match claimed limits?
  • Have the scaling limits ever been exceeded?
  • What happened during worst losing streaks?

Red flag example:

  • EA claims "5% maximum drawdown"
  • Myfxbook shows 12% drawdown period
  • Developer excuse: "Market conditions were unusual"

Step 3: Test the Worst-Case Logic

Scenario testing:

If EA has 10 losses in a row: - What's the position size on trade 10? - What's the total account exposure? - Does the system automatically stop? - How does recovery work?

Professional EAs will have clear answers. Dangerous EAs will dodge these questions.

Common Point #6 Failures

Failure Type 1: Hidden Martingale

What you see:

  • "Smart recovery mechanism"
  • "Advanced position management"
  • "Intelligent lot sizing"

What it actually is:

  • Unlimited position doubling
  • No maximum exposure limits
  • Account destruction during volatile periods

How to spot it:

  • No specific scaling factors mentioned
  • No maximum drawdown guarantees
  • Vague language about "recovery"

Failure Type 2: Fake Limits

What you see:

  • "Maximum 5% drawdown"
  • "Conservative risk management"
  • "Defined stop losses"

The reality:

  • Limits can be manually overridden
  • "Stop losses" are suggestions, not hard stops
  • Drawdown limits reset during "good periods"

How to verify:

  • Ask for hard-coded proof
  • Check if limits have ever been exceeded
  • Verify automatic enforcement

Failure Type 3: Incomplete Disclosure

What's missing:

  • Worst-case scenario documentation
  • Complete risk methodology
  • Historical extreme examples
  • Recovery time estimates

Why it matters:

  • Incomplete information = hidden risks
  • Professional traders need complete picture
  • Transparency indicates confidence

Controlled Recovery vs Martingale

The Professional Approach (Acceptable)

DoIt GBP Master example:

  • Base position: 1% account risk
  • First recovery: 1.3% (controlled scaling)
  • Maximum: 1.5% (hard limit)
  • Total exposure cap: 6.8% of account
  • Automatic pause after 3 losses
  • Reset after single recovery win

Why this passes Point #6:

  • Specific limits clearly defined
  • Maximum exposure mathematically limited
  • Automatic enforcement mechanisms
  • Complete transparency about method

The Dangerous Approach (Fails Point #6)

Typical martingale system:

  • Base position: 1% account risk
  • Recovery: "Doubles until recovery"
  • Maximum: "No limit needed due to high win rate"
  • Total exposure: "Managed dynamically"
  • Stop mechanism: "Manual oversight"
  • Reset: "After full account recovery"

Why this fails Point #6:

  • No specific limits defined
  • Unlimited exposure potential
  • No automatic protection
  • Vague, non-specific language

The Point #6 Scorecard

Scoring Criteria

Full Point (1.0) - Professional Standard:

  • Complete risk methodology documented
  • Specific scaling factors with hard limits
  • Maximum drawdown mathematically limited
  • Automatic enforcement mechanisms
  • Transparent about worst-case scenarios

Partial Point (0.5) - Acceptable with Concerns:

  • Risk methodology mostly clear
  • Some limits defined but not comprehensive
  • Manual oversight required
  • Limited transparency

Zero Points (0.0) - Dangerous:

  • Vague risk management descriptions
  • No specific limits provided
  • Unlimited scaling potential
  • Poor or no transparency

Real Examples Scored

Professional EA - 1.0 points:
"Uses 1.3x position scaling after losses, maximum 1.5x, hard stop at 6.8% account drawdown, automatic suspension after 3 consecutive losses, complete methodology documented."

Amateur EA - 0.0 points:
"Advanced risk management system adapts to market conditions using proprietary algorithms for optimal position sizing and recovery."

Implementation for Traders

Your Point #6 Checklist

Before considering any EA:

  • Risk methodology completely documented
  • Specific scaling factors provided (if any)
  • Maximum drawdown limit specified
  • Automatic enforcement confirmed
  • Worst-case scenarios explained
  • Historical maximum drawdown verified
  • Recovery mechanism transparent

If any box is unchecked, the EA fails Point #6.

Questions That Expose Bad EAs

  1. "What happens after 5 losses in a row?"
  2. "What's the maximum possible account drawdown?"
  3. "How does the system automatically protect my capital?"
  4. "Can you show me the worst historical drawdown period?"

Professional developers will answer enthusiastically. Scammers will dodge or deflect.

Integration with Other Points

Point #6 Validates Other Points

Synergy with Point #1 (Myfxbook):

  • Verified accounts show actual risk behavior
  • Claims can be cross-referenced with reality
  • Historical data validates risk limits

Synergy with Point #4 (Session Filtering):

  • Risk management during different market conditions
  • How system behaves during high volatility
  • Protection during news events

Connection to High Win Rate Trading:

  • As covered in our analysis of 82% win rate EAs, higher win rates enable different risk approaches
  • Controlled scaling becomes mathematically favorable
  • Point #6 ensures the scaling remains controlled

Your Action Plan

This Week:

  1. Audit current EAs using Point #6 criteria
  2. Score each EA using the 0.0-1.0 system
  3. Identify any EAs with incomplete risk disclosure

Next 30 Days:

  1. Demand complete documentation from EA developers
  2. Verify risk claims against Myfxbook data
  3. Phase out any EAs that fail Point #6

Long-term:

  1. Never compromise on Point #6 standards
  2. Help others understand risk management importance
  3. Support transparent developers who embrace full disclosure

The Bottom Line

Point #6 isn't just another checklist item – it's your account's life insurance.

Most EA disasters happen because traders focused on profit potential and ignored risk reality. Point #6 forces you to confront the uncomfortable questions before they become expensive lessons.

The rule is simple: If an EA developer won't clearly explain their risk management, they don't deserve your money.

No exceptions. No compromises. No "trust me" stories.

Your account balance depends on it.

Your Next Steps

🔥 Download the Complete 7-Point Checklist – Get the full framework including detailed Point #6 evaluation criteria.

Remember: Professional risk management isn't optional – it's the foundation of sustainable trading success.

FAQ

Q: What if an EA has great performance but fails Point #6?
A: Walk away. Great performance without proper risk management is unsustainable. Eventually, the hidden risks will surface.

Q: Can an EA pass Point #6 with any position scaling?
A: Yes, if scaling is controlled, limited, and fully disclosed. The key is transparency and hard limits, not the complete absence of scaling.

Q: How do I verify automatic risk enforcement?
A: Ask for code proof or demo account access where you can test the limits. Professional developers will provide verification methods.

Q: What's the difference between Point #6 and general risk management?
A: Point #6 specifically evaluates the EA's built-in risk controls. Your personal risk management (position sizing, portfolio allocation) is separate but equally important.

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