Welcoem to posts!!
in the future - u will be able to do some more stuff here,,,!! like pat catgirl- i mean um yeah... for now u can only see others's posts :c
Price doesnāt respect your Order Blocks becauseā¦
You chose the wrong ones.
The problem is youāre taking the definition way too literally because you are not trading
Order Blocks anymore, you are trading patterns instead.
How?
ā¦By believing every down-close candle before a move-up is a +OB.
Andā¦
ā¦By believing every up-close candle before a move down is a -OB.
This does not work.
But enough said because hereās how you pick the right Order Blocks in just a few simple stepsā¦
First, start with identifying a support level.
An example would be if weāre in an up-trend, a +FVG in Discount would make for a good support level.
Secondā¦
We want to see price trade to it and move away ā breaking the high of the last down-close candle.
Now listen carefullyā¦
Because this is the important part that makes or breaks this +Order Block ā we want to see a +FVG form with the +Order Block.
Why?
Because this validates the down-close candle as a high-probability +Order Blockā¦
That you would feel safe picking for a long entry.
Plus as a bonusā¦
Seeing a Low form above the +Order Block is great news because it induces breakout traders ā into shorting.
Now itās a waiting game, we place our long entryā¦
Price returns to the Order block ā takes out the sell-side liquidity below the low ā rebalances the Fair Value Gap ā and then moves away.
Putting profits in our pockets.
- A.K
303 - 23
Finding High Probability FVGs with Narrative behind them
Do you REALLY think Buying & Selling any random Fair Value Gaps here will work?
Of course NOT.
Yet, you make this mistake every time.
Because the problem is youāve been misled into trading āpatterns.ā
And this does NOT workā¦
ā¦Because you lack a narrative behind the Fair value gap.
Why?
Because a narrative tells us āWHENā a Fair Value Gap should work, and more importantly āWHENā it should fail.
But, enough saidā¦
Hereās how you find a high probability FVG āwith narrative.ā
First, start with identifying whether weāre in a continuation or a reversalā¦
To make it simple, letās go with a reversal.
Now we need to qualify it by analysing what just happened, for example, letās just say we
took sell-side liquidity below a low and tapped a bullish Order Block to the leftā¦
These 2 variables qualify our reversal.
Hereās a Tip: A high probability Fair Value Gap will form AFTER this raid on sell stops.
And thisā¦
Indicates strength.
Now we have a narrative behind our Fair Value Gap...
So when we BUY, it is likely to be respected and offer us support.
ā A.K
265 - 6
Using Premium & Discount to your advantage
You get STOPPED because you BUY ā when price is in a Premium and you SELL ā when price is in a Discountā¦
ā¦And this?
Does NOT workā¦
Hereās why:
See, just as you wouldnāt buy something thatās too expensiveā¦
And sell something thatās too cheap.
This basic principle of commerce is found in the charts as well ā more specifically in the concept ofā¦
Premium and Discount.
Where a premium, is considered a price level thatās too expensive ā and a discount, is considered a price level thatās too cheap.
Yet despite this simplicity, following this basic principle has become a dire problemā¦
Why?
As Iāve said in the pastā¦
The #1 threat to traders in 2024 is becoming an inferior carbon copy of one another ā to the point where you can NOT tell them apartā¦
Copying each otherās biasesā¦
ā¦Following the same strategies, patterns, and models, just to constantly second-guess themselves...
But whatās worseā¦
A decline in basic understanding.
How?
Think about it, if most traders are just carbon copies of one another and we know for a fact that 90% are doomed to not make it.
Then a decline in understanding the real meaning behind these concepts is likely true.
And this showsā¦
Especially because to this day traders make the same mistake of buying in a premium and selling in a discount.
But enoughās enough, I know that with the right knowledge thatās properly demonstratedā¦
Mistakes can be rectified.
Which is why I made an Instagram reel explaining how to use premium & discount to your advantage.
Go to my Instagram and look for "The Secret Reason Behind Your Losses Revealed".
ā A.K
201 - 15
What makes "08:30" a significant time of day?
I would not be wrong in presuming that most of you reading this have watched ICTās 2022 Mentorship.
After allā¦
It is ICTās most popular beginner-friendly teaching to date.
Why?
Because it primarily focused on teaching JUST one model and one time window to trade that model.
One Model = ICTās 2022 Model
One Time window = The AM Session
However, ā08:30ā was specifically made the centre of the AM session.
And for good reasonā¦
Fundamentally, "08:30" is a significant time of day due to the coordinated liquidity injections by major financial institutions.
Which means that, at this time, funds are injected into the market that provides essential liquidity that fuels transactions and stabilises prices, similar to how oxygen energises and sustains life.
The electronic highway that allows banks to do thisā¦
Is the FED Wire.
Which works by processing large-value payments between banks and allows for immediate transfer of funds.
In simple termsā¦
When a bank needs to send money...
It uses Fedwire to transfer the funds instantly to the recipient's bank.
This system helps ensure the smooth and efficient functioning of the financial market.
Moreoverā¦
We also see an overlap with Economic activity that occurs at this time in the form of High Impact news events.
Both of these factors directly translate into making 08:30 a significant time of day.
ā A.K
287 - 10
Navigating an āalgorithm changeā
For contextā¦
The previous post was about a glitch at the NYSE that caused some stocks, like "Berkshire Hathaway, Barrick Gold, and NuScale Power" to appear as if they had lost up to 99% of their value.
This āglitchā stemmed from a software update made by the Consolidated Tape Association (CTA).
People areā¦
And have been worried for a while now.
ā¦So, the news of this āglitchā caused by a software update made by the CTA doesnāt help.
But, I ended the previous post with a quoteā¦
āWe, as humans, are incredibly adaptable and we'll adapt to this change if it comes.ā
Why?
Because changes have come in the past and weāve always adapted to them, like a river flowing around obstacles.
Take the transition from typewriters to computers as an example...
In the latter half of the 20th century...
Mass production of computers transformed communication and work processes.
And this...
Forced us to adapt.
From typewriting letters to sending e-mails.
Or, take World War II as an example which spanned 1939 to 1945ā¦
Where nations and individuals had to swiftly adapt to the challenges of wartime conditions.
My point is thisā¦
The worldās commerce is dependent on the algorithms that govern todayās financial markets.
So, while the doubts about a 'changing algorithm' (which have been a cause of great anxiety), are reasonable.
It is important to understand that...
Changes made so far have only made it more efficient.
ā A.K
146 - 20
NYSE reports glitch that showed stocks down 99.97%
āThe New York Stock Exchange (NYSE) said Monday that a technical issue that halted trading for some major stocks and caused Berkshire Hathaway to be down 99.97% has been resolved.ā
ā New York (CNN)
So, what just happened?
A glitch at the NYSE caused some stocks, like "Berkshire Hathaway, Barrick Gold, and
NuScale Power" to appear as if they had lost up to 99% of their value.
To simplify...
This means if a stock was priced at $100 per share...
The "glitch" made it look like it was only worth $1 per share.
How?
The problem stemmed from a software update made by the Consolidated Tape Association (CTA).
But, of course, due to the āglitch...ā
They had to switch back to an older software version which resolved the issue.
Question isā¦
If the issue of some stocks showing losses of up to 99% has been fixed, then why do I bring it up?
The reason is simpleā¦
Since the dawn of AI and its rapid advancements, widespread fear and uncertainty about potential changes it might bring to the trading algorithm codenamed IPDA have taken ICT traders by storm.
People areā¦
And have been worried for a while nowā¦
ā¦So, the news of this āglitchā caused by a software update made by the CTA doesnāt help.
Reality isā¦
This fear is rooted in the general human discomfort towards change.
Why?
Because humans are naturally resistant to change and fear the unknown which triggers anxiety and discomfort.
We are stability-loving creatures, but times are changing.
AI is advancing at an abnormally fast pace and is threatening to undo many peoples hopes and dreams.
But, I wouldnāt be wrong in saying thatā¦
We, as humans, are incredibly adaptable and we'll adapt to this change if it comes.
How?
Coming to you in the next post.
ā A.K
138 - 9
Is the algorithm going to change?
Since the dawn of AI and its rapid advancements, widespread fear and uncertainty about potential changes it might bring to the trading algorithm codenamed IPDA have taken ICT traders by storm.
And it showsā¦
"Is there a possibility that if lots of people use ICT concepts, the algorithm will tend to change?"
These are the sort of worrisome comments Iāve been receiving lately, there are a lot moreā¦
But this one encapsulates them all.
People are worried.
And someā¦
Have been borderline fearful because finallyā¦
After months and in most cases years of searching, they finally get answers to how and why price behaves the way it doesā¦
Then AI rolls aroundā¦
Advances at an abnormally fast pace and threatens to undo their hope and dreams.
Reality isā¦
This fear is rooted in the general human discomfort towards change.
Why?
Because humans are naturally resistant to change and fear the unknown which triggers anxiety and discomfort.
We are stability-loving creatures.
But, in the coming few posts Iāll peel this fear layer by layerā¦
So that I can help you navigate it surrounding this supposed āalgorithm change.ā
ā A.K
206 - 14
You sure you just want to quit after all youāve been through?
Iāll keep this short & sweet.
If youāve been having doubts because things have gotten real tough lately as a result of you going through a rough patchā¦
ā¦Then I am here to remind you of the āalternative.ā
Which should propel you to get over what is hopefully, the final stretch before you reach yourcoasis.
Because whatās the alternative?
Wake up.
Hit snooze 4 times.
Stare at your phone.
Roll out of bed.
Make coffee.
Get ready.
Sit in traffic.
8 hours of unfulfilling work.
Sit in trafficā¦ again.
Argue with your āsignificantā other.
Watch Television.
Scroll.
Pass out andā¦
Repeat.
In other words, the mundane 9-5 which you probably dread.
So WAKE up.
Youāve not come this far to just quit.
ā A.K
470 - 36
Struggling with Breaker Blocks? Read thisā¦
After coaching 100s and I mean 100s of students now, this one thing always remains constantā¦
Beginners struggle with Breakers.
And I know this for a fact because my Private Mentorship students went through this same experience.
I wouldnāt be wrong in assuming that concepts likeā¦
The Order Blocksā¦
And/or the Fair Value Gapsā¦
Probably came much easier to you than Breakers ever didā¦
But today?
Iāll walk you through both the Bullish and the Bearish Breaker, so you know exactly what they areā¦
ā¦And how to spot them, so letās begin:
First, what are they?
Breakers are an area of mitigation for Smart Money traders, so they allow them to add and/or reduce their positions.
Second, how to spot them?
ā A Bullish Breaker forms when we have a Low, followed by a High, then a Lower Low and a Break in Market Structure above the High.
ā A Bearish Breaker forms when we have a High, followed by a Low, then a Higher High and a Break in Market Structure above the Low.
If this went over your head, then fret notā¦
Because Iāve made 2 short reels on my Instagram breaking this down.
ā A.K
196 - 24
ICTās 2022 Mentorship: Blessing or a Curse?
In the previous post: The issue with the ā2022 ICT Mentorshipā¦ā (which if you havenāt read, then go read it, to get the complete picture).
ā¦I went over ONE simple fact.
And itās the ICT 2022 Mentorship lacks narrative building, ultimately being too pattern focused.
But, why do I signify this?
The reason is simple ā narrative building is crucial.
Itās what separates us (traders following in Smart Moneyās footsteps) from them (retailers trading head & shoulder patterns).
And before you get triggeredā¦
Yes, weāre all āretailersā but there is a key distinction between being the hunted and the hunter.
Sheep and Shepherds.
With that out of the way ā I want you to really think about it.
What does Smart Money trading mean?
Answer: Itās following in the footsteps of Smart Money which contrary to engineered scepticism, does exist.
The big banks. The Shadowy funds. Certain Traders wielding markets behind public eyesā¦
ā¦Are your Smart Money, and they do exist.
The thing isā¦
They're humans just like you and me, but the power they hold is ginormous. Therefore, it's in our best interest that we, the retail traders, learn to follow in their footsteps.
This is basically what Smart Money trading is.
How does this tie into ICTās 2022 Mentorship and its fatal flaw?
It all boils down to realising that narrative building ā is what enables us to trade like the Smart Money.
Because without it?
Pattern trading takes over and this, unfortunately, has plagued newbies.
To the point where everyone today is just trading patterns without any context behind them.
Howeverā¦
There is a solution (an antidote if you will).
Iāll share it with you soon in the next post.
So keep on the lookout.
ā A.K
293 - 21
Trader/Educator | ICT Charter | MPharm.S
šøļø7th year ICT
šøļøSimplifying ICT concepts from an ICT Charter perspective.
š Author of the ICT Bible
š Journal of a Trader - Podcast
CEO: The ICT Academy
www.theinnercircledragons.com