The Complete TurtleTrader

Unveiling The Complete TurtleTrader

In “The Complete TurtleTrader”, Covel narrates the extraordinary true story of a group of ordinary individuals who were turned into exceptional traders. In the mid-1980s, two Wall Street financiers, Richard Dennis and William Eckhardt, debated whether great traders were born or made.

For anyone who’s ever pondered the allure of the stock markets, the captivating world of traders, and the psychological aspects that shape our finance-related decision-making, today’s topic will grab your interest. We are diving into the realm of financial markets, through the riveting pages of Michael Covel’s book, “The Complete TurtleTrader.” The book offers a remarkable exploration of trading strategies, pivots, and central pivot range (CPR) systems, bestowing precious pearls of wisdom that will not just educate, but also inspire.

In “The Complete TurtleTrader”, Covel narrates the extraordinary true story of a group of ordinary individuals who were turned into exceptional traders. In the mid-1980s, two Wall Street financiers, Richard Dennis and William Eckhardt, debated whether great traders were born or made. To settle this argument, they set up an experiment where they selected a group of people from various walks of life, trained them for two weeks, and gave them money to trade. The result was the ‘Turtle Traders’, named after the turtle farms that Dennis had seen in Singapore.

The book’s narrative style makes it accessible to readers of all levels, not just finance professionals. It provides not only a comprehensive explanation of trading strategies used by the Turtle Traders but also delves into the psychology of trading and the traits that separate successful traders from the unsuccessful ones. However, the lessons extend beyond the realm of trading, offering insights into human behaviour, decision-making, and risk-taking.

Our exploration will delve into eighteen key ideas from the book. Each will be elaborated upon, with relevant examples to illustrate their application and importance in both the world of trading and our daily lives. The goal is to decode the methods of the Turtle Traders and understand how they continue to influence trading strategies in today’s financial markets.

Whether you’re a seasoned trader, a novice looking to enter the world of financial markets, or someone interested in understanding the fascinating interplay of psychology and finance, this review will provide you with a wealth of insights. Let’s uncover the secrets that propelled the Turtle Traders into Wall Street legend.


  1. Trend Following: The Turtle Traders were trend followers, meaning they sought to capitalise on price movements in one direction. They did not try to predict the future but instead, responded to what was already happening in the market. This strategy requires discipline, patience, and a well-defined exit plan.
  2. Mechanical Trading Systems: The Turtles used a mechanical trading system to make decisions, removing emotional bias from the equation. The system provided rules for when to buy, when to sell, and how much to invest. This method fosters objectivity, ensuring decisions are based on logic rather than fear or greed.
  3. Diversification: The Turtles believed in spreading their bets across multiple markets. This strategy mitigates risk because losses in one market could be offset by gains in another. In a volatile environment, diversification offers a safety net.
  4. Cutting Losses and Letting Profits Run: The Turtles were taught to cut their losses quickly but let their profits run. Many traders make the mistake of holding onto losing trades in the hope they’ll turn around, while selling winning trades too quickly. The Turtles’ approach ensures a positive risk-to-reward ratio.
  5. Position Sizing: The Turtles used a concept known as ‘volatility-based position sizing’ where the size of their trade was based on the volatility of the market. This approach allowed them to adjust their risk based on market conditions.
  6. Pyramiding: This is a strategy where the Turtles would increase their position as the market moved in their favour. Instead of taking profits early, they would add to their successful trades, thereby maximising their returns.
  7. Taking Calculated Risks: The Turtles were not averse to taking risks, but they did so in a calculated manner. They knew that not every trade would be successful, but they also understood that a few big wins could offset many small losses.
  8. Psychological Resilience: The Turtles were trained to remain emotionally detached from their trades. Trading can be a roller coaster of emotions, and being able to maintain composure during extreme market volatility is a crucial trait of successful traders.
  9. Adaptability: The Turtles were taught to be adaptable and responsive to the ever-changing dynamics of financial markets. They understood the importance of being flexible and adjusting their strategies based on market conditions.
  10. Importance of Discipline: Discipline in following their trading system was crucial to the Turtles’ success. This prevented them from making impulsive decisions, kept them focused on their strategy, and helped them avoid the pitfalls of overtrading.
  11. Use of Breakouts: The Turtles used breakouts as an entry point for their trades. This means they would buy when the price moves above a defined level of resistance or sell when it drops below a certain level of support.
  12. Not Over-Complicating Things: Despite being in the complex world of trading, the Turtles kept their strategies simple and easy to execute. Over-complication often leads to indecision and mistakes.
  13. Sticking to the Plan: The Turtles understood the importance of having a plan and sticking to it. Even when faced with losses, they remained consistent, trusting the system that had been proven to work in the long run.
  14. Learning from Mistakes: The Turtles knew that mistakes were part of the trading process. They used their losses as learning opportunities to refine their strategies and improve their future trading decisions.
  15. Leveraging Strengths: The Turtles learned to identify and leverage their individual strengths. Some were better at identifying trends, while others excelled at managing risk. They understood that successful trading is about capitalising on strengths and minimising weaknesses.
  16. Dealing with Failure: The ability to handle failure was a crucial lesson the Turtles learned. They understood that losing trades were part of the game, and it was more important to manage these losses effectively rather than trying to avoid them altogether.
  17. Continuous Learning: The Turtles’ experience underscores the importance of continuous learning. Despite their initial success, they knew they had to keep learning and evolving to stay ahead in the dynamic world of financial markets.
  18. The Power of Belief: Finally, the belief in their system and themselves played a pivotal role in the Turtles’ success. They had faith in their trading rules and the discipline to follow them, which gave them the confidence to succeed in the high-stakes world of trading.

In conclusion, “The Complete TurtleTrader” offers a profound journey into the world of trading, revealing lessons that extend far beyond the financial markets. The principles learnt from the Turtle Traders – discipline, resilience, calculated risk-taking, continuous learning, and more – can apply to various facets of our lives, influencing our decisions and our approach towards challenges.

The book also underscores the power of belief, not just in the system, but in oneself. This, coupled with an adaptable mindset, a willingness to learn from mistakes, and the courage to take calculated risks, forms the backbone of success, whether in trading or life.

The lessons from “The Complete TurtleTrader” serve as a reminder that success in trading is less about complex strategies and more about understanding the psychology of decision-making and risk-taking. It shows us that with the right mindset, discipline, and a willingness to learn, anyone can achieve success in the dynamic and thrilling world of financial markets.

Did you know? Creators like to use our coworking space in Bangalore

Learn more about our coworking space on our YouTube channel Work Theater Studios where we talk about a variety of topics including personal finance, entrepreneurship, business and life.

Did you know? We also have a private theatre in Bangalore.

You'll also like this...

Leave a Comment

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

Hey there,
We're open for bookings.
Do fill in your details and we will get in touch with you soon.