In simple terms
To scalp is to practise scalping: entering and exiting within seconds or minutes to capture small moves. A scalper seeks many short opportunities rather than one large multi-day trend.
What it requires
The expected edge per trade is often small, so spread, commission, slippage, latency, and execution quality matter greatly. A scalping plan specifies the market, timeframe, trigger, stop, and maximum number of attempts. More trades do not mean better quality: costs and mistakes can consume a modest statistical edge.
Limits and links
The concentration required can increase fatigue and tilt. Test with realistic costs and latency; a frictionless simulation overstates results. If the intended horizon is days or weeks, compare it with timeframe and transaction costs instead of calling it a scalp.
Sources
- Investopedia, “Scalping” — defines the very-short-term style.
- FINRA, “Day Trading” — warns about costs, risks, and demands of intraday trading.