Before life as a famous trader, Dan Zanger who runs chartpatterns.com spent 25 years building swimming pools before a local TV show on chart patterns pulled him into trading. 

That unconventional beginning led to what’s considered one of trading’s greatest records. Starting with just $10,775 in June 1998, Zanger grew it to $18 million by December 1999 (an 18-month run few have matched) before pushing the stake to $42 million within two years. Dan Zanger is a legend admired by many aspiring traders.

In 1989 he took a course from Bill O’Neil (founder of IBD) and buried himself in chart books. He would do three hours on weeknights, 15 hours every weekend, hunting for pennants, flags, cups and handles. He still runs O’Neil’s CANSLIM formula today, a method also praised by Dan Zanger in multiple interviews.

The way he describes his trading method is hilarious: chasing “frisky stocks that are starting to perk.” He tracks 40 to 60 names at a time, riding whichever group is hot until it starts to fizzle. Furthermore, Dan Zanger emphasizes the importance of adapting to market trends.

His words to live by: price, chart patterns and volume.

Check out this old Trader Monthly magazine article