I've seen someone roll 5000 into 1 million in half a year, and I've seen someone earn 500,000 one day and lose it all the next—this isn't a matter of luck, but a stark difference in the execution of rolling tactics. In four years of practical contract trading, the pitfalls I've encountered could fill a truck, and this set of tactics I've summarized boils down to two words: 'guard' and 'ferocity'—be as steady as a mountain when it’s time to guard, and never be soft when it’s time to be fierce.
One, wait: 90% of the time waiting, 10% of the time earning.
Newbies trading contracts often feel 'not trading means losing,' and feel uncomfortable if they don't place an order in a day. But those I've seen who can make money are all 'snipers'—90% of the time lying low, waiting for the best opportunity to pull the trigger.
Last year, a fan started with 5000, trading every day for the first three months, spending over 800 on fees, and still losing 30% of the account. Later, learning to 'wait for the market' from me, he only acted when BTC or ETH showed 'violent market' signals: for example, breaking key resistance levels or increasing by more than 5%. As a result, in the fourth month, he made 40% on one trade, worth more than the previous three months of random trading.
What is a 'violent market'? There are three signals:
Breaking key levels + increased volume: BTC has been flat at 30,000 for half a month, suddenly breaking through 32,000 with a large positive line and a trading volume three times that of the previous day—this is 'capital grabbing,' entering the market at this time has a high probability of more than 10% volatility within 3 days.
Trend driven by news: when major news like the Federal Reserve announcing rate cuts or Bitcoin halving comes out, the market often continues for some time. Last year, on the day the Federal Reserve cut rates, I waited 2 hours to confirm the trend, then entered the market and earned 30% in 5 days.
Sector linkage bullish: for example, if the DeFi sector rises collectively, the leading currency rises by 10%, and other currencies follow—this indicates 'it's not just a single currency's market, it's a sector opportunity,' which is safer.
The core of waiting for the market is 'holding back your hand.' I have a timer on my phone, forcing myself to 'open a maximum of 2 orders a day.' I must stare at the K-line for 15 minutes before opening a position, which suppresses many impulsive orders. Remember: in the contract market, missing 10 opportunities isn't scary; what's scary is one impulse that wipes out the principal.
Two, roll: use profits to roll, the principal is always a 'safety cushion.'
'Adding positions after making money' is a fatal flaw for contract newbies. I once made 50% on ETH, got excited and added all the principal and profits, only for the market to reverse, losing all profits and 20% of the principal. Later, I realized: principal is 'life,' profit is 'adding icing on the cake,' and they cannot be confused.
Now my operational iron rule is:
First order profit, withdraw principal first: with a principal of 5000, the first order earned 1000 (20%), immediately transfer the 5000 principal out, only using the 1000 profit to continue playing. This way, even if later losses occur, it’s only the money earned that is lost, and the principal remains intact.
Profit rolling, adding positions step by step: when profit reaches 2000 (doubled), add a maximum of 50% position (1000); when it reaches 4000, add another 50% (2000). Always leave a 'buffer zone' for profit, and don't put all your eggs in one basket.
After doubling, leave a safety cushion: if profit doubles (for example, from 1000 to 2000), immediately withdraw 30% (600) to a stablecoin wallet, and the remaining 1400 continues to roll. This 600 is the 'safety cushion,' even if there are losses later, I have concretely secured 600.
Last year, in one month, I rolled a profit of 10,000, doubled it twice along the way, withdrew a 30% safety cushion, and in the end, even with market corrections, I still netted 12,000—many people fail to make money because they treat 'paper profits' as 'actual income,' not understanding the importance of 'locking in profits.'
Three, adjust: the stop-loss line follows the profit, no 'roller coaster.'
'After earning 50%, move the stop-loss line to cost price'—this is a lesson I learned from a 30,000 loss.
When I first started trading contracts, I always set my stop-loss line 3% below the opening price. As a result, once ETH pulled back from a 50% profit to a 10% profit, I didn't act, thinking 'it could go back up.' In the end, it fell to the stop-loss line, and not only did I lose the profit, but I also lost 3%.
Now I've learned 'dynamic stop-loss adjustment':
Within a floating profit of 50%, set the stop-loss line 3% below the opening price (regular stop-loss).
Floating profit exceeds 50%, move the stop-loss line to 'opening price' (cost price) to ensure 'no loss of principal.'
Floating profit exceeded 100%, and the stop-loss line was moved up to 'opening price + 50%' to lock in half of the profit.
Once, when SOL floated at 80%, I moved the stop-loss line to cost price. Later, it pulled back to 2% above the cost price, and I didn't stop-loss. In the end, it rose 50%—I preserved the profit and didn't miss the market. The key to this move is 'let profits protect themselves'; earn more when it rises, and don't lose when it falls, with a stable mindset.
Four, stop: failing to hold onto profits is equivalent to earning nothing.
'Not taking profit means the last short'—this is the cruelest truth of the contract market. I've seen too many people hesitate to sell when their position is floating at a profit of 50% or 100%, only to see the market reverse, losing all profits, or even incurring losses.
My profit-taking principle is 'take profit in batches, seize the good opportunity':
Floating profit of 30%, take profit of 30%: for example, entering the market with a profit of 10,000, earning 3000, first sell 30% (corresponding position of 3000), recovering 900 profit.
Floating profit of 50%, then take profit of 40%: the remaining 7000 position earned 3500, then sell 40% again, recovering 1400.
Floating profit of 100%, clear out or leave 10% to bet on the market: for the remaining 30% position, either sell all or leave 10% to bet higher, but never be greedy.
In last year's BTC market, I used this profit-taking method to clear out at a floating profit of 120%. Although it later rose by 50%, I had already made a profit of 120%—many people always think about 'selling at the highest point,' but end up not even catching the 'relatively high point.'
The core of taking profit is 'accepting imperfection.' There are no gods in the crypto world who 'sell at the highest point'; if you can lock in most profits during an uptrend, you've already outperformed 90% of the people.
Why can some people roll from 5000 to 1 million, while others lose everything after earning 500,000?
The former understands 'wait': only act in a confirmed market, lurking like a hunter, only strike when certain.
The former understands 'roll': using profits to play, the principal is always safe, the mindset won't collapse, and operations won't distort.
The former understands 'adjust': dynamically adjust the stop-loss, allowing profits to bear risks themselves, earning more when it rises, and not losing when it falls.
The former understands 'stop': take the profit when it's good, don't be greedy, and it's more important to preserve profit than to pursue 'higher' gains.
The latter often 'doesn't wait, rolls randomly, doesn't adjust, and doesn't take profit'—when the market comes, they rush in, add principal when they earn, don't touch the stop-loss, rely on fantasies for profit-taking, and it’s surprising they don’t lose everything.
Lastly, a piece of advice for those wanting to turn around by rolling:
The core of the rolling strategy is not 'earning fast,' but 'surviving long.' Rolling from 5000 to 1 million doesn't rely on a single windfall but on countless instances of 'waiting for the right market, using profits to roll, adjusting stop-losses well, and taking timely profits.'
You don’t need to become a 'contract master,' you just need to execute these details: resist the urge when you should wait, use profits when rolling, adjust when necessary, and don’t be greedy when it’s time to take profit. If you can do these, even if you can’t roll 200 times, at least you can survive in the crypto world, and surviving will certainly allow you to wait for your opportunity.
The crypto market changes rapidly, but those who can make money are always those who 'know how to control themselves.' Don't let market fluctuations dictate your actions; starting today, engrain every step of the rolling strategy in your mind. When the next market comes, you will thank your current self.
