Between clicking a button and the platform recording your trade, time passes. On short expiries a small delay can change the entry price and the result. This guide explains what to watch for and how to record it. It makes no claim about any platform's speed.
TL;DR -- Key Takeaways
- Delays between click and entry can move your entry price.
- Short expiries are more sensitive to timing than longer ones.
- Record the price you expected and the price you got.
- Test your connection and platform on a demo account first.
- If delays are large or frequent, raise it with the broker in writing.
1. What an Execution Delay Is
An execution delay is the gap between your click and the platform's recorded entry. It can come from your connection, the device, the platform or market conditions. The entry may then differ from the price you saw. See execution and slippage mistakes.
2. Why It Matters for Binary Options
A binary option settles on whether price is above or below a level at expiry. If the entry moves against you by the time it is recorded, you start with a handicap. The shorter the expiry, the larger a small delay looms.
3. How to Notice Delays
- Compare the price on your chart with the entry price on the trade ticket.
- Note the time on the chart and the time of the trade record.
- Watch for requotes or rejected orders around news.
- Check whether delays appear on your device or connection by testing elsewhere.
4. Record It
Add a column for expected and recorded entry in your strategy journal. A pattern of worse entries is information you can act on. Also review your history regularly; see ignoring account statements.
5. Reduce the Effect
Use a stable connection, keep the platform updated and avoid trading in the seconds around major news. Consider longer expiries if timing sensitivity is hurting your results. Set a rule for the number of poor fills that triggers a pause.
6. What to Do If It Keeps Happening
Keep screenshots and records, contact support in writing and read the platform's terms on order handling. If you suspect something worse than normal delay, see how to report a binary options scam.
Frequently Asked Questions
Are delays normal?
Some delay is normal. What matters is how large and how consistent it is for your trades.
Do delays affect all expiries equally?
No. Short expiries feel them more.
Can a demo account show execution delays?
It can show some timing behaviour, but live conditions may differ. Compare both.
What should I record?
Expected entry, recorded entry, time, expiry and result.
Related Reading
- Execution and Slippage Mistakes -- the broader topic
- Binary Options Trading Platform Explained -- how platforms work
- Ignoring Trading Costs and Spread -- related cost issue
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