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At the very start of the World Series of Trading (WSOT), traders are faced with a major choice: join a squad or go solo. It might sound straightforward, but the impact goes beyond just leaderboard positions. How someone handles risk, reacts to volatility, and matches their personality to a format can shape every trade. Even seasoned competitors know that picking the wrong approach can increase drawdowns and push stress levels higher during turbulent markets. For newer traders, taking the time to choose the right path can influence early results and set the stage for stronger learning and growth.
In this blog, we’ll discuss the benefits and possible challenges of joining WSOT solo or in a squad, in hopes of helping you choose the approach that best fits your trading style, risk tolerance, and ability to handle market volatility.
Choosing between squad and solo formats depends on personality, risk tolerance, and trading style.
Squads introduce shared risk, collaboration, and networking, while solo trading offers full control and faster execution.
Effective WSOT requires disciplined risk handling, adaptability, and coordination of format and individual strengths.
In competitions like the World Series of Trading (WSOT), a group spreads risk among a group of traders. In times of market uncertainty, huge moves can wipe out profit in a matter of days, especially when leverage is used. In a team setting, a single losing trade can be offset by others' successful plays. For example, if a leveraged BTC trade results in a margin call, hedging or offsetting positions by team members can reduce overall impact. Collective risk management of this sort enables members to prioritize strategy instead of panic; this enhances the consistency of execution.
Squads also naturally develop leadership roles. Someone has to manage trade timing, coordinate internal risk limits, and monitor SL and TP levels across the team. Leadership is about more than giving orders; leadership is about integrating different styles—scalpers, swing traders, and longer-term position holders—into a master plan. Well-led squads consistently outperform highly skilled but poorly coordinated teams, which demonstrates that communication and strategy alignment are as important as market knowledge.
Team trading introduces a social aspect to the individual competition. Teams exchange ideas on leverage management, volatility scaling, and timing of entries and exits. Observing others' decision-making enhances one's own judgment and risk-adjusted performance. Beyond numbers, the shared experience builds trust and long-term professional relationships within the trading community that can be useful outside WSOT.
Even a highly skilled trader can be affected by others’ mistakes. Misaligned entries, inconsistent leverage, or divergent position sizing can create unexpected volatility in the squad’s cumulative P&L. Metrics such as drawdown percentage or Sharpe ratio can fluctuate if coordination is weak. Trust and structured strategy discussions are essential to mitigate these risks.
Different trading philosophies often clash. Aggressive members may favor high-leverage positions, while conservative traders prefer tighter SLs. Without structured communication protocols, hesitation or disagreement can lead to missed trades or suboptimal ROI. Teams that define roles, document strategies, and regularly review performance handle these conflicts more effectively.
Solo trading gives complete autonomy. Every trade, leverage adjustment, and SL or TP placement is decided independently. Traders confident in proprietary models or technical analysis benefit from the absence of external interference. Decisions are faster and adjustments can be made instantly in response to volatility. This level of control can directly improve execution efficiency and ROI.
When operating alone, attention remains entirely on personal metrics. Position sizing, leverage, and cumulative drawdowns can be monitored without distractions from team discussions. Traders who excel under pressure often perform better when the focus is narrow and execution is unshared.
Trading alone can amplify stress. There is no one to validate decisions or provide feedback during high-volatility swings. Losing streaks or sudden drawdowns can trigger emotional reactions that can compromise judgment.
Every outcome, whether a profit or a loss, rests solely on the trader. Mistakes in SL placement, late TP execution, or unhedged positions impact net P&L immediately. This environment demands disciplined risk management, detailed journaling, and constant evaluation of strategy effectiveness.
Squads favor collaboration, distributed risk, and knowledge sharing. Solo formats reward independence, decisiveness, and precision in execution. Beginners often benefit from squads, gaining exposure to structured strategies and shared insights while limiting early drawdowns. Experienced traders may prefer solo play to fully leverage proprietary models and directly influence ROI.
Ultimately, success depends on aligning the format with trading style and temperament. The goal is to reduce friction between personal strengths and competitive approach while allowing focus on execution, drawdown control, and consistent P&L improvement. Both formats demand discipline, market awareness, and adaptability, but the right choice makes navigating WSOT volatility more manageable and performance more consistent.
