Five decades in the futures game taught me something most traders miss. Over 50 years spanning multiple market cycles, I've learned what separates survivors from the crowd. Real futures contracts demand respect—not the derivative toys some platforms peddle as the "real deal." The fundamentals haven't changed: discipline beats luck, every single time. Sure, newer traders often dismiss the old playbook. But experience writes lessons in capital, not words. The market doesn't care about your age or how trendy your strategy sounds. It rewards those who respect its rules.