Maverick Trading Rules Explained: Drawdown, Profit Targets & Time Limits (2026)

Maverick Trading Rules Overview

Maverick Trading is a veteran US prop firm founded in 1997 that operates on a mentorship-first, training-based evaluation model rather than a speed-based challenge format. Unlike traditional prop firms that fast-track capital to traders who pass quick evaluation phases, Maverick prioritizes structured education and skill-building before funding. The firm is based in Draper, Utah and specializes in equities and options trading exclusively.

The firm's core philosophy: train traders rigorously, then fund them with profit-share agreements. There is no time-limited challenge or strict evaluation deadline—traders progress through the program at their own pace, focusing on developing consistent, rule-based trading skills before accessing capital.

Account Types and Pricing

Maverick Trading offers a single primary entry point: the Trader Training Program.

Program	Cost	Details
Trader Training Program	Varies (Entry: $2,500/month reported)	Primary pathway to funded trading. Includes live mentorship, education modules, paper trading, backtesting tools, and broker integration. Progresses from training to evaluation to live capital allocation.
Apprenticeship/Mentorship Track	$0/month (after program enrollment)	Ongoing mentorship available post-funding—traders do not lose access to coaches and guidance after securing capital, distinguishing Maverick from firms that cut contact after funding.

Note: Specific pricing tiers, monthly installment options, or payment plans are not detailed in available public data. Traders should verify current pricing directly with Maverick's enrollment team, as costs may include bundled services (education, platform access, paper trading environment).

Profit Targets

Maverick Trading's profit target structure is not publicly documented in standard format. The firm's training-first model suggests no fixed, time-bound profit targets like typical prop firms. Instead:

• Training Phase: Traders develop and backtest strategies using the firm's paper trading and backtesting tools. Evaluation is competency-based, not profit-based.
• Evaluation Phase: Live small-account trading (specific target amounts not publicly disclosed) to demonstrate consistent, risk-adjusted returns and adherence to Maverick's trading rules.
• Funded Phase: No published daily or monthly profit targets. Focus shifts to consistent performance and risk management within the firm's drawdown limits.

This is a key differentiator: traders are not racing to hit $5K or $10K in 30 days like challenge-based firms. Success is measured by behavioral consistency, strategy validation, and risk management discipline over months of mentored development.

Drawdown Rules

Specific drawdown limits (daily, max trailing, max static) are not disclosed in public data. However, Maverick Trading's feature set includes risk management tools and performance analytics, suggesting the firm employs standard prop firm drawdown protections:

• Daily Drawdown Limit: Likely in the range of 2-5% of account equity (specific % not published). Exceeding the daily limit would halt trading for the day.
• Maximum Drawdown (Trailing or Static): Commonly 10-20% cumulative, but exact structure (trailing vs. reset-based) not publicly specified.
• Calculation: Drawdown is typically calculated as the peak-to-trough decline from the account's highest equity level.
• Reset Conditions: Daily limits reset at market open. Maximum drawdown typically resets with new account funding or at milestone reviews (monthly/quarterly).

Traders must request specific drawdown rules during enrollment, as these are fundamental to risk management and account preservation.

Trading Restrictions

Maverick Trading restricts trading to US equities and options only—no forex, futures, or cryptocurrencies. Additional known restrictions include:

• Markets: Stocks and options on US exchanges (NYSE, NASDAQ). No leveraged ETFs, penny stocks, or foreign exchanges (generally).
• Lot Size Limits: Maximum position sizes typically scale with account size and are enforced to prevent concentrated risk. Specific limits not publicly disclosed.
• News Trading: Often restricted around major economic announcements (FOMC, earnings) to prevent gamma-driven volatility blowups. Specific policy not published.
• Expert Advisors / Automation: Most prop firms prohibit fully automated EAs and copy trading. Maverick's policy on bot-assisted trading not publicly detailed.
• Weekend Holding: Positions held over the weekend typically incur higher margin/risk requirements or are restricted outright. Specific policy not disclosed.
• Time Limits: No mention of mandatory closing times or end-of-day liquidation rules in available data.

Traders should clarify each restriction in writing before enrollment, especially regarding automation and position-holding policies, as these directly impact strategy feasibility.

Profit Split and Payouts

Maverick Trading offers up to an 80% profit split for funded traders—one of the highest in the industry. This is a defining advantage.

• Profit Allocation: Traders retain up to 80% of realized trading profits; Maverick retains 20%. Split tiers likely exist (e.g., 70% at $50K, 75% at $100K, 80% at $250K+), but specific thresholds not publicly stated.
• Withdrawal Frequency: Not publicly specified. Industry standard is monthly or quarterly. Maverick's actual frequency requires clarification.
• Minimum Withdrawal: Likely $100–$500 per request, but not disclosed.
• Processing Time: Typically 5–10 business days. Maverick's specific timeline unknown.
• Losses: Traders do not pay losses back to Maverick. Losses reduce the account balance but do not trigger debt or future profit clawback.

Example: A $100K funded account generating $10K profit in a month would pay $2K to Maverick (20%) and distribute $8K (80%) to the trader, assuming 80% split tier.

Scaling Plan

Maverick Trading's scaling structure is not detailed in public materials. However, based on industry standards and the firm's mentorship model:

• Initial Funding: Likely $25K–$100K, depending on evaluation performance and trading history.
• Scale-Up Criteria: Consistent profitability, adherence to risk rules, and demonstrated strategy edge over 3–6 months of funded trading.
• Scaling Schedule: Quarterly or semi-annual reviews. Targets for increasing account size (e.g., +$50K per review) not published.
• Requirements: Likely include minimum profit targets (e.g., 5–10% monthly return), zero risk violations, and active trading frequency.

Transparency Gap: Specific scaling numbers and timelines should be clarified with Maverick directly during onboarding to set realistic expectations for capital growth.

Maverick Trading Rules vs. Competitors

Comparative analysis of key rules across Maverick and two major competitors:

Rule Category	Maverick Trading	Competitor A (Challenge-Based Firm)	Competitor B (Speed-to-Capital Firm)
Evaluation Model	Mentorship-based, self-paced; no time limits	Challenge-based; 30–60 day deadline	Rapid evaluation; 1–2 weeks to funding
Profit Split	Up to 80% (highest tier)	70–75%	50–70%
Starting Price	$2,500/month	$99–$299 (one-time)	$500–$1,500 (one-time)
Markets	Stocks, options only (US)	Forex, stocks, crypto	Futures, forex, stocks
Mentorship Post-Funding	Yes, ongoing (included)	Limited (paid add-on)	None
Max Drawdown (Est.)	10–20% (not disclosed)	5–10%	5–8%
Time to First Capital	3–6 months	30–60 days	7–14 days

Key Takeaways:

• Best profit split: Maverick leads at 80%, significantly better than speed-to-capital competitors (50–70%).
• Slowest path to funding: Maverick's mentorship model trades speed for education—3–6 months vs. competitors' days to weeks. Best for serious skill-building; worse for traders seeking fast capital access.
• Market flexibility: Competitors offer forex, crypto, futures; Maverick is US equities/options only—limiting for diversified traders.
• Ongoing support: Maverick's post-funding mentorship is rare and valuable; most competitors drop contact after funding.
• Cost structure: Maverick's monthly subscription ($2,500+) is higher upfront but includes education; competitors' one-time fees ($99–$1,500) appear cheaper but offer minimal ongoing support.

Red Flags and Fine Print

• Lengthy Training Timeline: Traders expecting capital within weeks should look elsewhere. Maverick's 3–6 month (or longer) evaluation window suits committed learners but frustrates speed-seeking traders.
• No Published Rules: Specific drawdown limits, profit targets, position size caps, and scaling criteria are not publicly disclosed. This creates opacity and requires one-on-one clarification—potential for misalignment on expectations.
• Monthly Subscription Cost: The $2,500/month program fee is a sunk cost. If a trader fails evaluation or decides to leave, that capital is not recovered. Unlike challenge-based firms, there is no "try for $299" entry point.
• Limited Market Coverage: US equities and options only. Traders seeking forex, futures, or crypto exposure must look elsewhere. This restriction reduces portfolio diversification opportunities.
• No Modern Fintech Features: Described as lacking modern platform tools and mobile apps. Traders accustomed to app-based trading (TD Ameritrade, Robinhood) may find the platform dated.
• Account Reset Risk: If drawdown limits are exceeded, account suspension or reset may apply. Specific reset policies (e.g., Do losses reset monthly? Can you request another evaluation?) are unclear.
• Mentorship Quality Variability: Ongoing mentorship is promised, but coach quality and accessibility post-funding depend on Maverick's staffing and workload. Request references or reviews from current funded traders.
• Profit Split Clawback Terms: Ensure the contract specifies whether losses in one month offset gains in another (e.g., if you make $5K Month 1 and lose $3K Month 2, does Maverick reclaim 20% of the $5K retroactively?). Standard is monthly settlement, but confirm.
• Account Minimum After Funding: Clarify whether scaled accounts maintain minimum profitability thresholds. Some firms mandate $X per month or risk account reduction.

Action Items Before Enrollment:

• Request a written rules document specifying all drawdown limits, position limits, and profit targets.
• Ask for references from 3–5 currently funded traders (not paid testimonials).
• Clarify the complete timeline: How long is the training phase? How long is evaluation? What are the concrete milestones to funding?
• Confirm profit split tiers: At what account sizes do splits change from 70% to 75% to 80%?
• Request the full terms of service, especially sections on account reset, loss liability, and mentor access.

---

Related Reading: Full Maverick Trading Review | Prop Firm Comparisons | How to Choose a Prop Firm