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Force open definition
What is force open?
Force open is a function on the trading platform that allows you to enter a new bet in the opposite direction to an existing bet on the same market. This will ensure you have two distinct positions open, except in the case where you have a short position on an unborrowable share.
A forced open should not be confused to a forced close, which occurs when a position is closed automatically without any action by you.
Force open vs net off
If you opt not to use force open, your open positions may be ‘netted off’. This is when existing positions are automatically closed if they would be cancelled out by the new position (unless you attach a stop or a limit, in which case it will keep both positions open).
Find out how our ‘force open’ feature can help
Force open example
You buy 100 shares of Exxon Mobil when you have an open position to sell 100 shares of Exxon Mobil. Normally, IG would simply net off the two positions – unless you have a stop or a limit attached – and close both trades.
However, if you had checked the force open box, our platform would not do this and the position will be opened. You would then have both a long and short position on 100 shares of Exxon Mobil.
Force open on IG’s platform
On IG’s desktop, the ‘force open’ option is listed underneath the size field – if you do not check 'force open' all or some of your open positions may be automatically netted off.
Force open on unborrowable stock
If you use force open when shorting unborrowable stock, the two positions will not be treated as 'distinct', as you will not be able to close the long position unless you close the short position first. Closing the long position ahead of the short will be treated in the same way as opening a new short position, which you cannot do on an unborrowable share.
Visit our help and support section
Find out more about opening long and short positions on the same market.
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