The contract market is never gentle, yet every year it continues to attract newcomers in droves.

Sounds strange, right? Clearly full of risks, yet the popularity never diminishes.

We need to first understand what exactly draws so many people in.

**There are actually only three things that tempt people**

The first is leverage. No one can resist the magic of this thing. If spot prices rise by 50%, you'll already be ecstatic; with 10x leverage, that directly translates to a 5x return. If you're a bit bolder and add dozens or even hundreds of times leverage, tiny price fluctuations can turn into a "wealth freedom" illusion. Many people fall into this trap chasing that illusion.

The second is the flexibility of long and short positions. Remember the CATI and ACT crashes? Spot holders could only watch helplessly as they got caught, but contract traders could open short positions, turning others' panic and fear into money in their pockets. This feeling of being able to adapt on the fly is something everyone desires.

The third is rhythm. The rises and falls in contracts happen very quickly. When making money, people feel elated; when losing, they think about "bouncing back" quickly. Repeating this cycle, some gradually become gamblers—some hit the brakes in time, others sink deeper and deeper.

**If you want to survive longer, these four bottom lines must be followed**

First, open and close positions with rhythm. Don't rush; rushing doesn't work.

Second, risk management must be strict. This is not a suggestion, but a necessity.

Third, keep an eye on two things—market trends and capital flow. Sometimes, where the money is flowing tells you more than price movements.

Fourth, set stop-loss and take-profit levels for every trade. This is a safety net and the last line of rationality.

In the contract world, the same decision can be seen as an opportunity or a deep pit. Relying solely on oneself makes it hard to go far; after all, the market won't give you a break just because you're trying hard. Either systematically learn trading strategies to make each step more secure or be prepared for the risks.