Lucid Trading Position Sizing: Maximum Contracts by Account Size

You can have the best trading strategy in the world, but if you exceed Lucid Trading's position size limits, you're getting your account terminated.

Position sizing violations are automatic breaches — no warnings, no second chances. The system monitors every trade in real-time, and the moment you go over your maximum contract limit, you're done.

Here's exactly how many contracts you can trade on each Lucid Trading account size, and why choosing the wrong account size for your position sizing will cost you money.

Learned the hard way: I've breached Lucid accounts, passed Lucid accounts, and spent 18+ months figuring out which rules trip traders versus which ones are manageable. This reflects trial-and-error experience—including my mistakes.

The single most important rule at Lucid is the EOD trailing drawdown—it's fundamentally different from intraday drawdown most firms use, and that difference changes how you size positions and manage risk during volatile sessions. I broke it down in my complete max drawdown guide, including real scenarios and exactly how to calculate safe position size. For the absolute latest, check Lucid Trading's website or their help center.

Maximum Contracts by Account Size

Lucid Trading's position limits are fixed and non-negotiable across all account types:

Critical detail: These limits apply to total position size at any given moment — not per trade, not per day. If you're long 2 ES and short 3 NQ on a $50K account, that's 5 contracts total, which violates the 4-contract maximum.

Minis vs Micros: What's the Difference?

Mini contracts are full-sized futures:

• ES (E-mini S&P 500): $50 per point movement
• NQ (E-mini Nasdaq): $20 per point movement
• YM (E-mini Dow): $5 per point movement

Micro contracts are 1/10th the size of minis:

• MES (Micro E-mini S&P): $5 per point movement
• MNQ (Micro Nasdaq): $2 per point movement
• MYM (Micro Dow): $0.50 per point movement

You can trade minis OR micros, not a mix. If you're on a $50K account and already holding 3 minis, you cannot add 10 micros "because it's smaller." You're capped at 4 total contracts of the type you're trading.

Why These Limits Exist

Lucid Trading's position limits aren't arbitrary — they're designed to prevent overleveraging and protect both you and the firm from catastrophic losses.

Here's the risk math:

$50K Account Example (4 minis max on ES)

• Maximum position: 4 ES contracts
• Risk per point: $200 (4 contracts × $50/point)
• 10-point adverse move: -$2,000 loss
• Max Loss Limit: $2,000 (hits exactly at MLL)

The position limit is calibrated so that a reasonable adverse move can't blow your entire account in one trade. With proper stop losses, you should never hit the MLL even at max position size.

But if Lucid allowed you to trade 10 ES on a $50K account, a 4-point move would wipe you out. That's not risk management — that's gambling.

How to Choose the Right Account Size

Don't buy an account based on "how much capital you want" — buy based on how many contracts you actually trade.

If you trade 1-2 minis:

→ $50K account is perfect
You'll use 2 of your 4-contract limit, leaving room for occasional scaling

If you trade 3-5 minis:

→ $100K account is necessary
The $50K caps you at 4, which is too tight for 5-contract strategies

If you trade 6-8 minis:

→ $150K account is required
You need the 10-contract limit to execute your strategy without violations

If you trade micros only:

→ $25K account works fine
20 micros = same dollar value as 2 minis, but cheaper entry cost

Common mistake: Buying a $150K account when you only trade 2 minis. You're paying 3x more for position size you'll never use. Start smaller, prove your edge, then scale up.

Position Sizing Violations = Immediate Breach

Lucid Trading's system monitors position sizes automatically and continuously.

What happens when you exceed the limit:

• ❌ Your account is immediately breached
• ❌ All open positions are closed
• ❌ The account is locked and terminated
• ❌ No refunds, no exceptions

This includes:

• Accidentally fat-fingering 5 contracts instead of 4
• Having positions in multiple instruments that total over the limit
• Adding to a position that pushes you over the max

Pro tip: Set platform order limits one contract below your Lucid maximum. If your $50K account allows 4 contracts, set your platform max at 3. This prevents accidental violations from order entry errors.

LucidFlex Scaling: Dynamic Position Limits

LucidFlex funded accounts have a unique feature: position limits that increase as you build profits.

Starting limits are the same as LucidPro:

• $50K LucidFlex → starts at 4 minis / 40 micros
• As your simulated profit grows, you unlock higher contract limits
• At +$1,000 profit: 3 minis allowed
• At +$2,500 profit: 4 minis allowed
• At +$5,000+ profit: up to 8 minis allowed (on $50K)

This scaling is automatic and real-time — you don't request increases, they unlock based on your EOD balance.

Important: LucidPro, LucidDirect, and evaluation accounts do NOT have scaling. Their limits are fixed throughout the account lifecycle.

Strategic Implications

Multiple Accounts > Larger Single Account

If you trade 8 minis, you have two options:

Option A: One $150K account (10-contract limit)
Option B: Two $100K accounts (6 contracts each = 12 total)

Option B is better because:

• ✅ More total position size available (12 vs 10)
• ✅ Diversified risk (one breach doesn't kill all your income)
• ✅ Separate payout cycles (more frequent withdrawals)

This is why experienced Lucid traders run multiple $50K or $100K accounts instead of maxing out one $150K.

Contract Type Matters for Strategy

Scalpers: Prefer micros on $25K-$50K accounts
→ More contracts = more shots at small moves

Swing traders: Prefer minis on $100K-$150K accounts
→ Fewer, larger positions for multi-hour holds

News traders: Need $100K+ accounts
→ Volatility requires position size flexibility without hitting limits

What Happens If Your Strategy Needs More Size?

If you're consistently hitting your position limit and want more size, you have two options:

1. Scale up to a larger account
Trade successfully on your $50K, then buy a $100K once you've proven you can handle 4+ contracts profitably

2. Add multiple accounts
Most Lucid traders run 3-5 funded accounts, giving them 15-25 total contracts across their portfolio

Remember: Lucid allows up to 5 funded accounts per household. That's a maximum of 50 mini contracts if you're running five $150K accounts.

The Bottom Line on Position Sizing

Buy the account size that matches your actual trading size — not your aspirations.

If you trade 2 ES contracts, a $50K account is perfect. Don't overpay for a $150K just because "bigger is better." The position limits are the same proportion of account size across all tiers.

And never, ever exceed your position limit. It's the fastest way to blow a funded account without even losing money.