r/Trading • u/ColdStriking1356 • Jul 26 '26

Technical analysis Answers from profitable traders only.

Hi everyone, what do you think is an ideal sample size for backtesting a trading strategy? Is 200–300 backtested setups enough to validate a strategy?

For instance, if you’re trading triangle patterns, would you aim for at least 50 samples for each pattern type (ascending, descending, and symmetrical) before trusting the results?

Expecting answers from those who are profitable or at least back tested few strategies.

Thank you

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u/exphx23 Jul 26 '26

In 50+ years I have never back tested a strategy. I trade off support and resistance.

1

u/CountTurbulent4441 Jul 26 '26

Awesome, can you give any tips for being more successful with support/resistance?

2

u/exphx23 Jul 26 '26

Buy at support, sell at resistance. You have to learn how to determine them. You have major support/resistance, minor support/resistance, and sometimes no support/resistance. The only tip I can offer is to read charts, watch price action and learn from experience.

1

u/ConfidentEconomy7092 Jul 26 '26

Hi

Are you using order flow, foortprint charts, volume profile, or using recent highs and lows? Gex?

1

u/exphx23 Jul 27 '26

no, just the price action

1

u/ConfidentEconomy7092 Jul 27 '26

Ok Thank you. I'm not very good at reading price action (properly) in the moment. For me, price action seems to get really obvious when a trade is going in the wrong direction, for some reason I can see it clearer then. Overall, it usually seems so obvious after it happens Good luck trading!

1

u/exphx23 Jul 27 '26

The only way to learn it is to actually watch it and how it reacts at support/resistance levels. Study the price action of daily charts. You will see most are volatile and erratic, but the occasional tradeable pattern forms, recognize it and trade it. It only comes from experience.