I use IG and CMC - I like IG more. Regarding your advice to keep a minimum of funds in the account - this compounds the pressure when a position goes against you. You are far more likely to get a margin call or to apply tight stops - which in my experience (and that of a number of traders that I know) leads to frequent losses when you get caught in the daily "noise". My strategy is to take out of the account what I originally put in (when that's possible eg once you make 100%) and just then trade with "the casino's money". As you say it is certainly smart to not leave it all in there and make bigger and bigger bets because you will inevitably lose I believe.
I have found CFDs to be an excellent instrument to gain leverage and the stops and guranteed stops are essential for profitable trading.
