Futures Prop Trading Guides
Plain-English guides to futures prop firms: how evaluations and drawdown work, the rules that trip traders up, and how to pass and get paid. Written from each firm's published rules.
New to prop trading?
Start here: 5 steps to your first funded account
1
Learn how prop firms work
Evaluations, drawdown, splits and payouts explained.
12 min read
2
Understand drawdown
Static vs EOD vs intraday trailing, with examples.
8 min read
3
Know the hidden rules
How consistency rules raise your real target.
7 min read
4
Pass the evaluation
A simple sizing and daily-stop plan.
8 min read
5
Pick your firm
Take the 5-question quiz to find your match.
1 min quiz
Basics & strategy
Rules & pricing explained
Guides
Prop Firm Consistency Rules Explained (With Examples)
What a consistency rule is, how one big day can raise your real profit target, and how to plan around 35–50% rules.
Guides
Prop Firm Payout Rules Explained: Splits, Buffers and Caps
The fine print that decides when you actually get paid: splits, winning days, buffers, caps and minimum requests.
Strategy
One-Time vs Monthly Prop Firm Pricing: Which Costs Less?
Monthly plans look cheaper up front, but extra months and activation fees add up. Here's how to work out the real cost.
Prop firm glossary
The terms you'll see in every futures prop firm's rules, in plain English.
Evaluation (challenge)
The paid test you must pass, by hitting a profit target without breaking the risk rules, before you get a funded account.
Profit target
The profit you need to pass an evaluation, typically $3,000 on a 50K account.
Max drawdown (max loss)
How far your balance can fall before the account fails, typically $2,000 on a 50K account.
Static drawdown
A loss floor that never moves, no matter how much profit you make.
EOD trailing drawdown
A loss floor that rises only when you close the day at a new high balance.
Intraday trailing drawdown
A loss floor that rises with your highest open profit during the session, so giving back a winner tightens it.
Daily loss limit
The most you can lose in one day. Hitting it usually ends your day, not your account.
Consistency rule
A cap on how much of your total profit can come from one day, such as 40% or 50%.
Activation fee
A one-time charge some firms take after you pass, to open your funded account.
Profit split
The share of funded profits you keep. 90% is now standard.
Payout buffer
Profit you must leave in a funded account before you can withdraw anything above it.
Reset
Paying to restart a failed or struggling evaluation from the starting balance.