Lucid Trading FAQ: 50+ Questions Answered

Lucid Trading operates three main programs (LucidFlex, LucidBlack, LucidDirect) plus the advanced LucidLive tier, each with distinct rules around evaluations, funded trading, payouts, and risk management. This comprehensive FAQ answers 50+ frequently asked questions organized by topic to help you understand exactly how Lucid works before purchasing accounts.

Account Types & Program Differences

What are the main Lucid Trading programs?

Lucid offers three primary programs: LucidFlex (evaluation-based with no consistency rule once funded), LucidBlack (evaluation-based with premium features and 40% funded consistency), and LucidDirect (instant funding with stricter 20% consistency). LucidFlex and LucidBlack require passing evaluations before funded accounts, while LucidDirect provides immediate funded access. After completing multiple successful payouts on any program, traders can qualify for LucidLive—a live-funded account with real capital rather than simulated trading. Note: LucidPro has been discontinued as of January 2026 (existing grandfathered accounts remain unchanged).

What account sizes does Lucid Trading offer?

LucidFlex and LucidBlack offer four sizes: $25,000, $50,000, $100,000, and $150,000. LucidDirect offers three sizes: $25,000, $50,000, and $150,000 (no $100K option). All account sizes use the same futures instruments and platform access. Larger accounts provide higher position limits (more contracts allowed simultaneously) and higher payout caps, but also require larger profit targets during evaluations and higher upfront costs.

What's the difference between LucidFlex and LucidBlack?

LucidFlex prioritizes maximum flexibility: no daily loss limit, no consistency rule once funded (largest day can be 100% of profits), 50% consistency during evaluation, and 90/10 profit split. It caps move-to-live at $5K per account. LucidBlack targets premium, active traders: no daily loss limit, 40% consistency in evaluation, 40% consistency when funded (larger single days allowed but controlled), 3-day payout frequency (vs. LucidFlex's 5 days), faster live transition (4 payouts instead of 6), and optional bonus payouts. LucidBlack costs more upfront but offers bigger payouts more frequently and faster progression to live funding.

What's the difference between LucidDirect and LucidFlex?

LucidDirect provides instant funding with no evaluation required—pay activation fee and start trading for payouts immediately. LucidFlex requires passing evaluation first before funded access. LucidDirect enforces stricter 20% consistency (versus LucidFlex's 0% once funded), requires 8 trading days per payout cycle (versus 5 for LucidFlex), and has progressive profit targets ($3K first payout, $2.5K subsequent on $50K). LucidDirect suits traders who want immediate access and naturally distribute profits evenly, while LucidFlex suits those comfortable with evaluations and prefer maximum flexibility.

What is LucidLive and how do you qualify?

LucidLive is Lucid's live-funded tier where you trade real capital (not simulation) and access enhanced features like swing trading, daily payouts, and bonus programs. You qualify by completing successful payouts: LucidFlex requires 6 payouts, LucidBlack requires only 4 payouts (fastest in the industry). Upon qualification, a portion of your simulated profits converts to LucidLive starting balance. LucidLive represents the ultimate goal for serious traders building long-term prop trading careers.

Can you have multiple Lucid Trading accounts?

Yes, you can hold up to 10 evaluation accounts simultaneously across LucidFlex and LucidBlack combined. Once funded, you can maintain up to 5 total funded accounts across all programs (LucidFlex, LucidBlack, and LucidDirect combined). For example, you could run 3 LucidFlex funded + 2 LucidDirect funded, or any combination totaling 5 or fewer. LucidLive is limited to 1 account per household regardless of how many funded accounts you operated previously.

What's the cost to start with Lucid Trading?

LucidFlex evaluation costs (current): $25K = $89, $50K = $130, $100K = $225, $150K = $315 (frequently discounted 30%+). LucidBlack evaluation costs (premium pricing): $25K ≈ $150, $50K ≈ $220, $100K ≈ $330, $150K ≈ $420 (launch discount 40% through late January 2026). LucidDirect instant funding: $25K = $197, $50K = $497, $150K = $997. All prices are one-time payments with zero activation fees after passing evaluations. Reset costs (if you breach an account) typically run about 20% less than original evaluation prices.

How long does it take to get funded?

LucidFlex and LucidBlack evaluations have no time limits—you can pass in one day if you hit the profit target while following all rules. Most traders pass in 2-4 weeks depending on trading frequency and strategy. Once you pass, upgrade to funded status is immediate (within 5-30 minutes) with no waiting period or activation fees. LucidDirect provides instant funded access—purchase the account and start trading for payouts within minutes of completing checkout.

Can you trade multiple Lucid programs simultaneously?

Yes, you can operate LucidFlex, LucidBlack, and LucidDirect accounts simultaneously as long as you stay within account limits (10 total evaluations, 5 total funded). Many traders run multiple programs to diversify: LucidFlex for maximum flexibility during volatile periods, LucidBlack for consistent income with premium features, LucidDirect for immediate cash flow. Each account operates independently with separate profit targets, drawdown limits, and payout cycles.

What happens if you fail an evaluation?

Failed evaluations (Max Loss Limit breach) terminate immediately and the account enters 30-day deletion countdown. You can purchase a reset at approximately 20% discount from original evaluation price anytime during those 30 days, receiving a fresh attempt with same account specifications. Alternatively, you can purchase a new evaluation at full price if you want to change account sizes or programs. There's no limit to reset attempts—you can retry indefinitely as long as you purchase resets before the 30-day auto-deletion deadline.

Evaluation Phase Rules

What are the profit targets for LucidFlex evaluations?

Profit targets scale by account size: $25K requires $1,250 profit, $50K requires $3,000, $100K requires $6,000, and $150K requires $9,000. These are cumulative targets tracked across all your trades—losses don't reset progress, they just subtract from your running total. You can hit the target in one large winning day or spread across dozens of smaller winning sessions. The target is based on closed positions only; unrealized profits on open positions don't count until you close them.

What are the profit targets for LucidBlack evaluations?

LucidBlack uses identical profit targets to LucidFlex: $25K requires $1,250, $50K requires $3,000, $100K requires $6,000, and $150K requires $9,000. The key difference is not the target amount, but the rules around achieving it and advancing to funded.

Is there a time limit on LucidFlex or LucidBlack evaluations?

No, neither LucidFlex nor LucidBlack evaluations have time limits. You can take weeks, months, or even longer to hit the profit target as long as you don't violate Max Loss Limit or trigger the 30-day inactivity policy (which simply requires trading at least once every 30 days). This unlimited timeframe removes pressure compared to firms enforcing 30 or 60-day evaluation windows. However, evaluation accounts don't generate real payouts—only funded accounts do—so there's incentive to pass evaluations efficiently.

Are there minimum trading days during evaluation?

LucidFlex has no minimum trading day requirement for passing—you can pass in a single day if you hit the profit target while maintaining 50% consistency. LucidBlack also has no minimum day requirement, though consistency at 40% encourages some distribution of performance. A trading day counts when you execute at least one trade between 6:00 PM EST and 4:45 PM EST the following day.

What's the Max Loss Limit during evaluation?

Max Loss Limit (MLL) is an End-of-Day trailing drawdown for both programs: $25K accounts use $1,000 MLL, $50K use $2,000, $100K use $3,000, and $150K use $4,500. The MLL trails your highest closing balance—if you close at $52,000 on a $50K account (highest close so far), your MLL moves to $50,000 ($52,000 - $2,000). You can never close below $50,000 going forward without breaching. Once you exceed Initial Trail Balance ($52,100 on $50K), the MLL locks permanently at starting balance minus $100 ($49,900 on $50K), protecting you even during severe drawdowns from higher balances.

Is there a Daily Loss Limit during evaluation?

LucidFlex evaluation has no Daily Loss Limit—you can lose any amount in a single day as long as you don't close below your Max Loss Limit. LucidBlack evaluation also has no Daily Loss Limit. This is a major advantage over traditional prop firms that enforce strict daily caps. You can weather intraday volatility and recover by close without penalty.

Can you scale into positions during evaluation?

Yes, scaling into positions and dollar-cost averaging are fully permitted during evaluation for both programs. You can build positions gradually across multiple entries rather than committing full size immediately. For example, enter 1 ES contract at 4,500, add another at 4,497, another at 4,494—averaging down to improve entry price. However, Lucid strongly discourages martingaling (continuously doubling position sizes on losing trades hoping for recovery), as this escalates risk exponentially and often leads to Max Loss Limit violations before recovery occurs.

Are there consistency rules during evaluation?

LucidFlex evaluation enforces 50% maximum consistency—your largest single day can be approximately 50% of total profits. This means LucidFlex requires distributing profits across at least 2-3 days to pass. LucidBlack evaluation enforces 40% consistency—your largest single day can represent 40% of total profits, requiring more distribution than LucidFlex. Both have small cushion allowances built in. LucidFlex allows faster passes because you only need 50% distribution, while LucidBlack's 40% encourages steadier, more consistent performance.

Can you trade news events during evaluation?

Yes, news trading is fully unrestricted during evaluations for both programs. You can enter or exit positions immediately before, during, or after FOMC, NFP, CPI, or any other scheduled releases without buffers or waiting periods. Unscheduled news events are equally unrestricted. However, you assume full responsibility for slippage and velocity logic effects during volatile periods—Lucid won't dispute fills or reverse trades that occurred during news events you chose to trade.

What trading hours apply during evaluation?

All positions must close by 4:45 PM EST Monday through Friday for both programs. Lucid automatically closes any open positions at 4:45 PM EST. Trading resumes Sunday 6:00 PM EST and continues through Friday 4:45 PM EST. No weekend position holding allowed. Holding positions past 4:45 PM doesn't breach your account—it's an administrative auto-close, not a violation.

Can you use automated trading during evaluation?

Yes, automated trading systems, algorithmic strategies, and trade copiers are fully permitted during evaluations. You're responsible for any software errors, malfunctions, or unintended outcomes—if your algo enters 50 contracts instead of 5 and hits your Daily Loss Limit, that's your responsibility. Test automated systems thoroughly in simulation before deploying on evaluations.

Funded Account Rules

What are the payout requirements for LucidFlex funded accounts?

LucidFlex requires completing 5 trading days with positive net profit during each payout cycle. You must maintain balance above $100 (literally), respect the 50% balance limit for withdrawals (you can only withdraw up to 50% of current balance per payout), and maintain zero consistency rule (largest day can be 100% of profits). No buffer requirement. Payout resets occur after each approved withdrawal—all requirements reset and you begin the next cycle.

What are the payout requirements for LucidBlack funded accounts?

LucidBlack requires completing 5 trading days with minimum profit per day during each payout cycle. Minimum daily profits: $25 on $25K, $50 on $50K, $100 on $100K, $150 on $150K. Additionally, you must meet the 40% consistency rule (largest single day ≤ 40% of total cycle profit), and respect payout targets that progress through each cycle. LucidBlack payout cycles occur every 3 days for eligible traders, offering faster payout frequency than LucidFlex's 5-day minimum. All requirements reset after each approved payout.

How does the consistency rule work for funded accounts?

LucidFlex funded accounts have zero consistency rule—your largest day can be 100% of cycle profits. LucidBlack funded accounts enforce 40% consistency—largest single day profit cannot exceed 40% of total cycle profit. LucidDirect uses stricter 20% consistency. For example on LucidBlack, if you earn $5,000 total profit during a cycle, your best day can't exceed $2,000 (40%). On LucidFlex with same $5,000 total, that entire $5,000 could come from one day and still qualify for payout.

Does LucidFlex have a buffer balance requirement?

No, LucidFlex has no buffer balance requirement. You can withdraw profits immediately after meeting the 5 trading days and consistency requirements. This is a major advantage over traditional systems. LucidBlack also has no buffer—you can withdraw as soon as you meet requirements.

What are the payout caps and limits for funded accounts?

LucidFlex uses 50% balance limit instead of fixed caps—withdraw up to 50% of current balance per request, maximum 5 times before moving to live. LucidBlack uses progressive targets and bonus systems: standard payouts occur every 3 days with varying targets per cycle, plus optional bonus payouts for exceptional performance. Larger targets reset after each payout, incentivizing consistent, active trading. LucidDirect uses fixed caps: $50K at $2,000 (1-3 payouts) then $2,500 (4-6+), $150K at $3,000 (1-3) then $3,500 (4-6+).

How fast are Lucid Trading payouts?

Payout requests are approved within minutes of submission if all requirements are met. Funds typically arrive within 2 business days via your selected payment method (bank transfer, crypto, etc.), though many traders report receiving payments within hours. This speed makes Lucid one of the fastest-paying prop firms in the futures industry. LucidBlack's 3-day payout frequency means you can request withdrawals more frequently than other programs.

Can you request payouts anytime on funded accounts?

You can request payouts as soon as you meet all requirements. LucidFlex allows payouts every 5+ trading days with completed profit targets. LucidBlack allows payouts every 3 days if you meet the 40% consistency rule and minimum daily profit targets. LucidDirect requires 8 trading days between requests. There's no maximum frequency limit—if you meet requirements every 3 days (LucidBlack), you can request payouts frequently. Fast traders completing cycles rapidly can extract multiple payouts monthly despite per-payout caps.

What's the profit split on funded accounts?

All Lucid programs now use 80/20 or 90/10 split depending on account type. LucidFlex uses 80/20 initially with progression, LucidBlack uses 80/20 with bonus acceleration, and LucidDirect uses 90/10 immediately. The split applies to all payout requests regardless of amount. Always verify current split structure on Lucid's website as these occasionally adjust.

Does the Max Loss Limit change when funded?

The Max Loss Limit mechanics remain identical to evaluation—End-of-Day trailing at same percentages ($1K on $25K, $2K on $50K, $3K on $100K, $4.5K on $150K). The MLL continues trailing with your highest close until exceeding Initial Trail Balance, then locks permanently. Both LucidFlex and LucidBlack maintain identical drawdown systems.

Can you withdraw your entire profit at once?

On LucidFlex, yes—you can withdraw 50% of balance per request, and with 5 total requests before moving to live, you can eventually extract all profits (less the 20% Lucid's cut). On LucidBlack, you're limited by payout targets and daily minimums that reset per cycle, requiring more frequent but structured withdrawals. On LucidDirect, payout caps limit single withdrawal amounts—you'd need to spread large profits across multiple payout requests over several weeks.

What happens to your account after payout?

After payout approval, your account balance decreases by the withdrawn amount but all trading rules remain active. Profit requirements reset to zero—you need to build new profits for the next payout cycle. Trading day counters reset. Consistency tracking resets. Your Max Loss Limit remains wherever it was (doesn't reset downward), but your actual balance is lower post-withdrawal. For example, withdraw $2,000 from $54,000 balance on $50K account—you're now at $52,000 with MLL still at highest close, ready to start accumulating profits for the next cycle.

Payout & Withdrawal Details

What's the minimum payout amount?

Minimum withdrawal is $500 across all Lucid programs. You cannot request payouts smaller than $500 even if you've met all other requirements. If you've only generated $300 profit during a cycle, you must continue trading until reaching at least $500 before submitting payout request.

What payment methods does Lucid Trading support?

Lucid supports bank wire transfers, ACH (for U.S. accounts), and cryptocurrency payments including Bitcoin and USDC. Payment method selection occurs during KYC verification or payout setup. Bank transfers typically process within 1-2 business days, while crypto can arrive within hours. There are no withdrawal fees charged by Lucid, though your bank or crypto exchange may impose their own fees.

Is KYC required before payouts?

Yes, Know Your Customer (KYC) verification is mandatory before processing any payout. You'll need to submit government-issued photo ID proving citizenship and residency. If KYC reveals you're a citizen or resident of a restricted country, your account terminates and accumulated profits forfeit. Complete KYC early (ideally before even requesting first payout) to avoid delays when you're ready to withdraw.

Can you cancel a payout request after submission?

No, payout requests are final once submitted and cannot be edited or canceled. This prevents traders from gaming the system by requesting withdrawals strategically then canceling if market conditions change. Once you hit "submit" on a payout request, the withdrawal processes and funds leave your account balance. Plan payout requests carefully.

Do payouts affect your Max Loss Limit?

No, payouts don't change your Max Loss Limit calculation. If your MLL is locked at $100,000 on a $100K account (from previous highest close at $104,000+), it stays at $100,000 even after withdrawing $2,000. However, your actual balance decreases by the withdrawal amount—withdraw $2,000 from $106,000 and you're at $104,000 post-payout. Your cushion above MLL decreases with each withdrawal, so manage balances strategically.

How many payouts can you request per month?

There's no maximum limit on payout frequency. LucidFlex requiring 5 trading days between requests means you could theoretically request 3-4 payouts monthly if trading daily and consistently profitable. LucidBlack's 3-day frequency allows even faster payouts—potentially weekly or bi-weekly extraction. LucidDirect requiring 8 days allows 2-3 payouts monthly. Most successful traders settle into regular rhythms depending on their trading frequency and profit generation consistency.

What happens if payout request is denied?

Payout denials occur when requirements aren't met: insufficient trading days, consistency rule violation, balance requirements not satisfied, Max Loss Limit breach, or restricted country citizenship discovered during KYC. Denied payouts return your account to pre-request state—no funds are withdrawn, requirements remain active, and you can continue trading to meet proper qualification criteria.

Can you have multiple pending payouts?

No, you can only have one payout request pending at a time. Once you submit a request, you must wait for approval and processing before submitting another. Given that approvals typically occur within minutes and funds arrive within hours to 2 days, this rarely creates bottlenecks.

Do weekends count toward payout cycle timing?

Calendar days include weekends, but trading days do not. If LucidFlex requires 5 trading days and you trade Monday, Wednesday, Friday, Monday, Wednesday—that's 5 trading days spanning 11 calendar days. The day-based requirement focuses on actual trading sessions, not elapsed time.

Trading Rules & Restrictions

What position limits apply?

Position limits vary by account size: $25K allows 2 minis or 20 micros, $50K allows 4 minis or 40 micros, $100K allows 6 minis or 60 micros, $150K allows 10 minis or 100 micros. These limits apply to simultaneously held contracts—not daily volume. You can trade 50 contracts in one day on a $25K account as long as you never hold more than 2 minis at once.

Can you hold positions overnight?

LucidFlex, LucidBlack, and LucidDirect require closing all positions by 4:45 PM EST daily—no overnight holds allowed. Lucid automatically liquidates open positions at 4:45 PM. LucidLive accounts allow swing trading and overnight holds with proper margin requirements, representing one of the key benefits of advancing to live-funded status.

Is news trading allowed?

Yes, news trading is completely unrestricted for all programs. Enter or exit positions immediately before, during, or after any scheduled or unscheduled news events without buffers or waiting periods. However, you assume full responsibility for slippage and volatile execution during these periods.

Are there restricted trading times?

Positions must close by 4:45 PM EST Monday-Friday. Trading resumes Sunday 6:00 PM EST. During market holidays with altered closing times, positions must close before market closes. You're responsible for monitoring CME Group holiday schedules—Lucid doesn't send special notifications for early closes.

Can you trade cryptocurrencies or forex?

Lucid Trading focuses exclusively on futures contracts. You can trade futures on indices (ES, NQ, YM, RTY), commodities (CL, GC, SI), currencies (6E, 6J, 6B), bonds (ZN, ZB), and agricultural products—anything available through CME, CBOT, NYMEX, or COMEX exchanges. Spot forex and cryptocurrencies are not available.

Is scalping permitted?

Yes, genuine scalping is allowed—short-term entries and exits (30 seconds to 5 minutes) capturing small moves. Lucid's microscalping policy sets boundaries around extremely rapid trading to prevent fill logic manipulation, but legitimate scalping strategies remain fully permitted.

Can you use hedging strategies?

Hedging within a single account is permitted—simultaneously holding long and short positions on different instruments as part of your strategy. However, cross-account hedging is prohibited—you cannot hedge one Lucid account against another Lucid account by taking opposite positions on the same instrument.

What constitutes prohibited trading activity?

Prohibited activities include: latency arbitrage exploiting execution delays, cross-account hedging between multiple Lucid accounts, account sharing or allowing others to trade your account, multi-account collusion where multiple traders coordinate to game payouts, HFT strategies designed to manipulate fill logic, and trading from restricted countries via VPN. Violations result in account termination, payout forfeiture, and potential permanent ban.

Platform & Technical Questions

What trading platforms does Lucid support?

Lucid supports Rithmic, NinjaTrader, Tradovate, TradingView, MotiveWave, Quantower, and Sierra Chart (for compatible account types). Rithmic offers lowest latency for active scalpers. NinjaTrader provides advanced charting. TradingView delivers web-based accessibility. Tradovate offers mobile trading. Platform selection depends on your trading style, indicators used, and automation requirements.

Important platform note for LucidFlex:

LucidFlex does NOT support Rithmic connectivity and therefore cannot be used with Sierra Chart. Flex accounts are restricted to Tradovate and NinjaTrader platforms only. If Sierra Chart is non-negotiable for your strategy, you must choose LucidBlack, LucidDirect, or eventual LucidLive progression—not LucidFlex.

Is there a platform fee?

Lucid doesn't charge platform fees for Rithmic or their proprietary LucidX platform. Some third-party platforms like NinjaTrader may have their own licensing fees independent of Lucid. TradingView requires a paid subscription for real-time data and advanced features. Tradovate includes platform access in Lucid accounts.

What data feeds are available?

Lucid provides real-time market data through Rithmic or your selected platform's data feed. Data includes live Level 1 quotes (best bid/ask), volume, and time & sales. Level 2 DOM (depth of market) availability depends on platform—Rithmic provides full DOM access. All data reflects actual market conditions with realistic execution, slippage, and spreads.

Does Lucid offer demo accounts?

Lucid doesn't offer free demo accounts to test their platform before purchase. However, their evaluations function as low-cost trial periods—$89-$420 gets you live simulated trading with real market data. Many traders view the $25K evaluation ($89 for LucidFlex) as an affordable demo testing both the platform and their ability to trade profitably under prop firm rules.

Final Recommendations

Which program should I choose?

• Choose LucidFlex if: You want maximum flexibility, prefer zero consistency rules once funded, value simplicity, and don't mind 5-day payout cycles. Best for volatility traders and scalpers.
• Choose LucidBlack if: You want premium features, faster 3-day payout frequency, don't mind 40% consistency, can handle profit targets between payouts, and want the fastest path to LucidLive (4 payouts instead of 6). Best for serious, active, disciplined traders.
• Choose LucidDirect if: You want instant funding today with no evaluation grind, naturally distribute profits evenly (20% consistency compatible with your style), and can handle the stricter rules.

Bottom Line

Lucid Trading operates three distinct programs: LucidFlex (maximum flexibility evaluation with zero funded consistency), LucidBlack (premium features with 40% consistency and 3-day payout frequency), and LucidDirect (instant funding with 20% consistency). All programs lead to potential LucidLive qualification. Account sizes range from $25K-$150K with progressive payout structures, reasonable profit targets, and End-of-Day trailing max loss limits.

Key considerations: understand your program's specific consistency rules (40% Black vs 0% Flex vs 20% Direct), payout frequency (3-day Black vs 5-day Flex vs 8-day Direct), and live transition timeline (4 payouts Black vs 6 payouts Flex). Multiple account strategies and frequent payout requests maximize extraction. News trading is unrestricted, automation is allowed, genuine scalping is permitted, but overnight holds are prohibited except on LucidLive.

LucidPro has been discontinued effective January 2026. All new traders should choose between LucidFlex (standard), LucidBlack (premium), or LucidDirect (instant) based on their trading style and preferences.