Futures: contract size, tick, and margin
Education only — not a recommendation to buy, sell, or hold anything. Practice desks use FAKE MONEY.
Contract size
A futures contract is a standardized agreement. Multiplier (contract size) converts a price move in points into dollar P&L shape. Example (edu): if multiplier is $50 per point, a 2-point move is a $100 change per contract before fees — vocabulary for the SIM desk, not live CME advice.
Tick
A tick is the minimum allowed price increment. Tick value = tick size × multiplier. Knowing tick value helps you read how “small” a move feels in dollars on the practice ticket.
Margin (concept)
Initial margin is collateral posted to open a futures-style position — not a purchase price of the whole notional. On this lab, educational margin is reserved from fake cash and clearly labeled. We are not a FCM or futures broker.
Roll
Roll means closing a near-expiry contract and opening a later one to keep exposure. The futures SIM shows a roll note for vocabulary only — no live calendar or roll recommendations.
Open futures SIM desk (Intermediate soft-lock · FAKE MONEY)