When placing a trade, you can select parameters that affect the execution behaviour in the Advanced settings.
Force Open is set as default, but you can select to apply Net Off as the default setting instead.
Force Open is a function which enables you to open a position in the same product as an existing position, in the opposite direction. The result would be a long and short position on the same asset.
Force Open enables you to maintain exposure to a product while opening a new position in the same product.
Net Off enables you to open a new position in the same product in the opposite direction, which has the effect of closing all (or a portion) of the existing position, depending on the size of the new position.
Placing two trades of the same value in opposite directions (i.e., one long and one short, using the Force Open function) will create a net exposure of zero – the same as having no open positions.
No margin is required in this scenario; however, you would still pay any applicable overnight holding cost or spread.