Lucid Trading Rules: LucidFlex, LucidPro, Direct & LucidLive

Lucid Trading now runs four distinct account types — LucidFlex, LucidBlack, LucidDirect, and LucidLive — each with its own rule set, consistency requirements, drawdown mechanics, and payout structure.

I've traded across all of them. Passed evals on Flex and Black, ran Direct accounts when I wanted to skip the waiting game, and eventually transitioned into LucidLive on my longest-running account.

The rules aren't complicated once you see them side by side, but the differences between these plans are massive — and picking the wrong one costs you either money or time. This guide breaks down every rule that matters across all four account types so you can choose the right path and avoid the mistakes that trip up 80% of traders before their first payout.

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.

How Lucid Trading Is Structured in 2026

Before diving into individual rules, here's the big picture. Lucid operates on a progression model: you start in either an evaluation or instant-funded sim, prove yourself, earn payouts, and eventually move to live capital.

As of February 2026, your options are:

• LucidFlex — the flagship evaluation. No DLL, no funded consistency, no payout buffer. Cheapest entry point for most traders.
• LucidBlack — the premium evaluation. Launched January 2026 with 3-day payout cycles, bonus payouts, and 40% funded consistency. Higher cost, higher earning ceiling.
• LucidDirect — instant funded sim. Skip the eval entirely, start earning day one. Strictest rules across the board.
• LucidLive — real capital. You graduate here after completing sim payouts from any of the three paths above. Daily payout requests, no cycle requirements, no consistency.

LucidPro was discontinued in January 2026 but brought back shortly after due to trader demand. Existing Pro accounts are honored, but I'm focusing on the four primary paths most traders will encounter today.

One thing that's consistent across every Lucid account: all positions must be closed by 4:45 PM EST. No overnight holds, no weekend positions. Trading hours run Sunday through Thursday, 6:00 PM to 4:45 PM EST. Miss this and your positions get auto-liquidated — it won't fail your account, but it's not a habit you want.

LucidFlex Rules — Evaluation & Funded

LucidFlex is the reason I keep coming back to Lucid. Zero daily loss limit. Zero funded consistency rule. Zero payout buffer. If you've traded at firms that penalize you for having one great day or stop you out mid-session because of an arbitrary DLL — Flex fixes all of that.

LucidFlex Evaluation Rules

The evaluation is a one-time fee (no monthly subscription, no rebilling) where you hit a profit target while staying above the Max Loss Limit. Take as long as you need. There's no expiration.

Key eval rules to know:

• 50% consistency rule — your largest single-day profit can't exceed 50% of your total profit. Technically you can pass in 2 days if you nail the split, but I'd recommend 3–7 days. Rushing the eval then immediately facing funded rules with no buffer is how people blow accounts.
• EOD trailing drawdown — your Max Loss Limit only updates at market close, not intraday. This is huge. I've been down $1,200 intraday on NQ during a CPI spike and closed the session positive. With an intraday trailing drawdown at another firm? That account is dead at 11 AM.
• No daily loss limit — none. Not soft, not hard. It doesn't exist on Flex. You can be down $2,500 mid-session and recover without penalty. Only your end-of-day closing balance matters.
• Min 2 trading days — Lucid technically requires a minimum of 2 trading days to pass, but the 50% consistency math usually pushes it to 3+ days anyway.

Once you hit the profit target while satisfying consistency, Lucid upgrades your account to funded — usually within 5–30 minutes. No activation fee.

LucidFlex Funded Account Rules

This is where Flex separates itself from literally every other futures prop firm I've tested. The funded account drops the consistency rule entirely.

• No consistency rule — gone. Your best day can be 90% of your total profit. Nobody cares.
• No daily loss limit — same as eval. Doesn't exist.
• No payout buffer — you don't need to maintain any minimum balance above your MLL. If you have profit, you can request it.
• EOD trailing drawdown — continues from the evaluation. Once the MLL trails up to your starting balance + $100, it locks and becomes static. That locked drawdown gives you massive breathing room.
• Scaling plan — your contract limits increase as your sim profits grow. Updates end-of-day, not real-time. Start with 4 minis on the 50K, and it scales up from there.
• 90/10 profit split — always. No 100% intro phase like Pro/Direct. Flat 90/10 from payout one through payout six.

Payout-wise, you need 5 profitable days per cycle (minimum $100/day on a 50K, $150/day on 100K, $200/day on 150K) and positive net profit for the cycle. That's it. Minimum payout is $500, and maximums are fixed — $1,500 per payout on the 50K, $2,500 on 100K, $4,000 on 150K. After 6 payouts, you move to LucidLive.

My take: Flex is the best choice for most traders. Period. The zero funded consistency alone makes it worth choosing over Black or Pro for anyone who doesn't trade 5+ days per week with perfect distribution.

LucidBlack Rules — Evaluation & Funded

LucidBlack launched January 2026 as Lucid's premium tier. The pitch? Bigger payouts, faster payout cycles, and a bonus system nobody else offers. The trade-off? Tighter consistency in the funded stage and higher prices.

LucidBlack Evaluation Rules

The evaluation structure mirrors Flex with a few key differences:

• 60% consistency rule — looser than Flex's 50% during eval, which means you can theoretically pass faster. Your biggest day can be up to 60% of total profit.
• No daily loss limit — same as Flex. None.
• EOD trailing drawdown — identical mechanic to Flex.
• Profit targets — same as Flex ($3,000 on 50K, $6,000 on 100K, $9,000 on 150K).
• Min 2 trading days — same minimum, though the 60% consistency makes 2-day passes slightly more realistic.
• Pricing — slightly higher than Flex. The 50K Black eval runs $180 vs $130 for Flex.

Here's the thing about the 60% eval consistency that's a double-edged sword — if you blast through the eval in 2 days, you'll immediately face 40% consistency on the funded side. I've watched traders pass Black in 48 hours and then spend three weeks grinding funded days just to dilute their consistency ratio enough for a payout. Take your time in eval. Build the habit.

LucidBlack Funded Account Rules

The funded phase is where Black gets interesting — and where it diverges sharply from Flex.

• 40% consistency rule — your biggest day can't exceed 40% of your total payout cycle profit. This applies to every single payout cycle and resets after each approved payout.
• No daily loss limit — still none.
• No payout buffer — same as Flex. No balance you need to maintain above the MLL.
• 3-day payout cycles — this is the headline feature. After 3 profitable trading days (with minimum profit thresholds), you can request a payout. Flex requires 10 trading days between cycles. Black does it in 3.
• Profit targets between payouts — unlike Flex where you just need positive net profit, Black requires hitting a minimum profit goal each cycle before requesting. This resets to $0 after each payout.
• Bonus payout system — hit a higher profit target during the cycle and you earn a bonus payout on top of the standard one. This is an industry first. No other futures prop firm I've tested offers this.
• 90/10 profit split — same as Flex.
• 4 payouts to LucidLive — Black moves you to live after just 4 payouts instead of Flex's 6. Faster path to real capital.

I won't sugarcoat it — the profit targets between every payout cycle make consecutive payouts harder than on Flex. On Flex, you just need to be net positive by $1. On Black, you need to hit actual dollar targets. For disciplined daily traders who are already consistent, Black rewards you with faster cash flow and bonus potential. For everyone else? Flex is easier money.

LucidDirect Rules — Instant Funded Sim

LucidDirect skips the evaluation entirely. You pay a higher upfront fee, get funded immediately, and start trading for payouts on day one. The catch: Direct has the strictest rules of any Lucid account type because you didn't prove anything in an eval first.

Core LucidDirect Rules

Let me break down what makes Direct fundamentally different:

20% consistency rule. This is the tightest of any Lucid path. If your best day is $1,000, your total cycle profit needs to be at least $5,000 before you can request a payout. That means you need 5+ solid days minimum just to dilute one great session. I've been caught by this — had an $1,800 NFP Friday on GC, then spent the next 7 days grinding $200-$400 days just to get the ratio under 20%. Not fun, but it's the price of skipping the eval.

Daily loss limit exists. Unlike Flex and Black, Direct has an active DLL. It's a soft breach — hit it and you can't trade for the rest of the session, but your account survives. Still, if you're used to the freedom of no DLL on Flex, this feels restrictive. The DLL also evolves: once your account balance exceeds the initial trailing balance, the fixed DLL converts to LucidScale DLL (calculated as 60% of your highest end-of-day profit). This actually gets more generous over time as your account grows.

8 trading days between payouts. Not 8 profitable days — 8 trading days total. You just need one executed trade per day. But combined with the 20% consistency and mandatory profit targets, most cycles take 10–14 days in practice.

Profit targets per cycle. Direct requires hitting specific dollar targets each payout cycle, similar to Black. These reset after every approved payout.

100% profit split on first $10K. This is Direct's biggest advantage over Flex — you keep every dollar of your first $10,000 in withdrawals. After that, it drops to 90/10. Flex is 90/10 from day one.

Who should choose Direct? Traders who've already proven themselves elsewhere and just want another funded account running immediately. If you're consistently profitable and can spread profits across 8+ days without one session dominating, Direct works. For everyone else, Flex is cheaper, simpler, and less restrictive.

LucidLive Rules — Real Capital

LucidLive is the endgame. This is where Lucid puts real broker capital behind your trading, and it's where the firm genuinely separates itself from most competitors. Not many futures props offer daily payouts on live capital. Even fewer make it this clean.

How You Get to LucidLive

Every sim-funded path leads here:

• LucidFlex → 6 payouts → LucidLive (up to $5,000 of sim profit transfers as starting balance on 50K; higher caps on 100K/150K)
• LucidBlack → 4 payouts → LucidLive (fastest path)
• LucidDirect → 6 payouts → LucidLive

When you transition, Lucid splits your sim profits: 70% goes to your LucidLive starting balance, 30% is held in escrow and released as you hit performance benchmarks. If your LucidLive account gets liquidated, your unused escrow balance moves to a LucidEscrow account — basically a second chance to re-qualify for live through 20 trading days with $500+ profit each day.

LucidLive Trading Rules

Once you're on live capital, the rule set becomes the simplest Lucid offers:

• No payout cycles — there are no minimum trading days, no consistency requirements, no profit targets between requests.
• Daily payout requests — you can withdraw every single day if you want. Multiple days in the same week, no problem.
• $500 minimum payout — same universal minimum across all Lucid accounts.
• 80/20 profit split — this is lower than the 90/10 on sim accounts, but you're trading real capital now. The trade-off is that these are actual live profits, not sim-based payouts.
• No payout windows — no "Friday only" nonsense. Request whenever you want.
• Balance withdrawals allowed — you're not limited to net profit. You can withdraw actual account balance, though Lucid may liquidate open positions and adjust your trailing drawdown accordingly.

Payout processing on LucidLive is fast. Approvals usually happen within minutes, and funds arrive within 1–2 business days. Traders consistently report LucidLive payouts being smoother than almost any competing futures firm — and that matches my experience.

One LucidLive account per household. That's the only real cap.

Side-by-Side Rule Comparison

Here's the full picture in one table — this is what I wish I had when I started with Lucid:

Universal Rules Across All Lucid Accounts

Some rules apply regardless of which plan you're on. These don't change between Flex, Black, Direct, or Live:

Trading hours: Sunday 6:00 PM to Thursday 4:45 PM EST. All positions auto-close at 4:45 PM. No overnight holds. No weekend holds. I've accidentally had a micro position open at 4:44 PM — it got liquidated automatically. Not a violation, but not great for P&L either.

Account limits: Up to 10 evaluations running simultaneously, maximum 5 funded sim accounts per household (shared between Flex, Black, Pro, and Direct), and 1 LucidLive account per household.

Inactivity: Accounts deactivate after 30 days with no activity. Breached accounts are also deleted after 30 days if you don't purchase a reset.

News trading: Allowed. Fully. No restrictions during NFP, FOMC, CPI, or any other economic event. This is a massive differentiator — many firms either restrict news trading entirely or add hidden rules around it.

Platforms: Rithmic, Tradovate, and NinjaTrader via Tradovate credentials. ProjectX was discontinued in December 2025. TradingView works through Tradovate. LucidFlex is not available on ProjectX — only Rithmic and Tradovate.

Scalping and automation: Both are allowed. Lucid supports automated trading systems across all account types. Extreme HFT-style micro-scalping (sub-10-second trades) may get flagged for review, but standard scalping is fine.

Payout processing: Request anytime — no payout windows. Approvals usually happen within minutes (I've seen same-session approvals consistently). Funds arrive within ~2 business days, often faster via ACH or PayPal. Minimum payout is $500 across all programs.

FAQ

Does LucidFlex have a daily loss limit?No. LucidFlex has no daily loss limit in either the evaluation or funded phases. Only your end-of-day closing balance matters against the Max Loss Limit.

What's the consistency rule on LucidBlack funded accounts?40%. Your largest single-day profit cannot exceed 40% of your total payout cycle profit. This resets after each approved payout. It's stricter than the 60% eval consistency, which catches traders who rush through the evaluation.

Can I pass a LucidFlex evaluation in 2 days?Technically yes — if you hit the profit target while keeping your biggest day under 50% of total profit. But Lucid recommends 3–7 days, and I agree. Rushing creates bad habits heading into funded.

What happens if I breach the daily loss limit on LucidDirect?It's a soft breach. Trading stops for the rest of the session, but your account survives. You can trade again the next day. Only breaching the Max Loss Limit fails the account entirely.

How many payouts until LucidLive?LucidFlex and LucidDirect require 6 payouts. LucidBlack gets you there in just 4 — the fastest live transition Lucid offers.

Does LucidLive have consistency rules?None. No consistency rules, no minimum trading days, no profit targets, no payout cycles. You can request payouts daily.

What's the profit split on LucidLive?80/20 (you keep 80%). Lower than the 90/10 on sim accounts, but these are real live profits on actual broker capital.

Can I hold positions overnight at Lucid?No. All positions must be closed by 4:45 PM EST across every account type. Positions left open get auto-liquidated.

Is LucidBlack worth the higher price over Flex?Only if you trade daily and can maintain 40% consistency. The 3-day payout cycles and bonus system are genuinely powerful for active traders. Part-time traders or anyone who has occasional big days — stick with Flex.

What platforms does Lucid support?Rithmic, Tradovate, and NinjaTrader (via Tradovate credentials). TradingView also works through Tradovate. ProjectX was discontinued December 2025.

Can I run multiple Lucid accounts simultaneously?Yes. Up to 10 evaluations and 5 funded sim accounts at once. Plus 1 LucidLive account. The 5 funded account limit is shared across all plan types.

What happens to my sim profits when I move to LucidLive?70% of your sim profits become your LucidLive starting balance (capped based on account size — $5,000 on 50K Flex accounts). The remaining 30% goes to escrow and gets released as you hit performance benchmarks on the live account.

Does Lucid allow news trading?Yes — fully allowed on all account types during all economic events including NFP, FOMC, and CPI. No blackout periods, no restrictions.

What's the fastest Lucid payout path overall?LucidBlack. With 3-day payout cycles and only 4 payouts required before going live, you could theoretically reach LucidLive in under two weeks from passing the eval. In practice, most Black traders get there in 2–3 weeks.