Hey dudes, here's a few questions for anyone trading in the UK. I'm a N00b looking for some basic info / opinions about software and spread betting in particular. For the record I've never placed a trade although I have been a professional gambler (poker) for 7 years. I'm hoping to start out doing some long/medium term trend following.

1) What's the best platform available to UK traders? By best I mean most advanced software with the highest capabilities although price is obviously a big consideration.

2) Spread betting? I mean is this a good option? I'm wary of OTC companies since I don't know what their attitude will be towards winning players. Can we trust these guys? If yes then wtf is the difference between spread betting and CFD's - really?

3) Ties in with Q1 but where can I find some "back testing" software. I'm keen to produce some over-fitted garbage strategies.

Cheers for any input / pointers, all the best Bob

I'm interested in some similar stuff and am from the UK.

Any good resources for this?

Just a general comment, but my experience with foreign markets from the UK to Germany to Australia shows that the day to day trading edge is way less than what's available in the US. The markets have less energy, fewer idiot participants, lower liquidity, lower transparency, a slower news flow and less immediate information available to a retail trader, etc. Something to consider if you want to trade them. Pretty much anyone can get an account to trade US equities, so that's the preferable route imo (after not trading at all, which is the #1 best piece of advice about what/how to trade).