This problem seems to bite me a lot recently. An example is I placed an after market purchase of KNXA @ 18.60.  It closed at 18.59.  It opened at 21.29 and I got left behind.  Any help would be appreciated.

Set limit orders, that way if they are way off from what you expect it won't bite you.

xray:

This problem seems to bite me a lot recently. An example is I placed an after market purchase of KNXA @ 18.60.  It closed at 18.59.  It opened at 21.29 and I got left behind.  Any help would be appreciated.

derricka setting a limit on this one wouldnt have helped either like i think he did, closed 18.59 set a limit at 18.60 (took a penny bite right off) only to find it opened at 21.29

xray thats something you just can't get around in game or real life trading it happens I dont know how or why but it does I have had it happen in real life before see a great price on a stock put in an after market order (cause aint no way I'm getting up for the bell on the west coast lol) only to find it opened higher than it closed and yes it is frustrating =/ the only thing you can do is do a market order, only draw back is if it had opened at 21.29 and you were hoping for 18.59 and it dropped to the price you were hoping for to start you're out $2.70 a share to begin with...so market orders after hours can be deadly...trust me I know first hand, lost over 5k that way friday in the game...setting a limit like it looks like you did is about the only safeway to go, if you dont get it say "bummer =( i'll try again tomorrow"

Yea, limit orders are always good.  Then you can choose what you want to pay for the item.

never do it

It just depends if you want to pay the $21 or the $18.  If you want the stock no matter the price, then you would put a market order in, but if you don't want the stock at $21, then you would have to put in a limit order, and accept that you only get it for the price you put in your order.  Also, I have seen a lot of stocks open high and then fall and if you put a limit order in you may still get the stock for the price you want to pay.

Thanks for the advance. 

you must understand aftehrs   after the pacific coast stok exchange closes, all trades are done by computer not people.  if you want a head start on the market open   wait 5 to 7 min after open and then place your order.  otherwise   NEVER BUY AFTERHOURS   

i agree with robert .... stocks tend to peak in first 10 15 mins ... and then easy down to continue their upward trend ... so wait for a bit after the open and then place order ... or stick to limit orders .....

So if the market opens off so much, does it make since to do a short when it opens? easy money?