Things are not always what they seem on the Level II screen - professional traders constantly engage in sleight of hand to fool unwary traders. But there are a few signs you can look for to avoid becoming another victim - and you can profit from this information, too.The Level II quote display allows you to see beyond the nearest bid and ask prices of a Nasdaq stock to the entire list of bids and offers, including firm and size.

Although Level II (officially called the TotalView quote display) provides a great deal of market information, it can also be deceptive especially for new traders who are unfamiliar with the sleight-of-hand practices of Nasdaq market makers.

The market-maker trap is a mirage conjured by professional traders to entice you into buying or selling a stock precisely at the wrong moment. However, if you know what to look for, you can position yourself to take advantage of these setups rather than fall victim to them.