Introduction to a Trading System 1: Setting timeframes + bonusIntroduction to a Trading System: Setting Timeframes & Logarithmic Scaling
This educational video is the first in the "Signal and Structure" series, where an experienced crypto trader with 5+ years in cryptocurrency and additional forex background shares their systematic approach to chart analysis and trading.
Key Topics Covered:
Logarithmic Scale Fundamentals
- Why log scale is essential for cryptocurrency trading
- How it provides better perspective on price movements across different time periods
- Demonstrates using Bitcoin's price history how log scale reveals the true magnitude of moves and shows market maturation
Strategic Timeframe Selection System
- Introduces a unique 5-timeframe system based on dividing by 4:
- Monthly (30 days) - the base unit
- Weekly (≈30÷4 days)
- 2-Day (≈week÷4)
- 12-Hour (48 hours÷4)
- 3-Hour (12÷4)
Trading Philosophy
- Emphasizes simplification over complexity in trading
- Explains why using non-standard timeframes (2-day instead of daily) provides an edge
- Discusses how higher timeframes show cleaner structure while lower timeframes display more chaos
- Advocates for making trading easier by reducing noise and confusion
Practical Insights
- Higher timeframes (monthly/weekly) show more reliable patterns and are watched by institutional traders
- Lower timeframes become increasingly chaotic but still contain tradeable patterns
- The importance of stepping back to see the bigger picture in markets
The instructor brings a unique perspective influenced by classic traders like Gann and Wyckoff, and has developed over 140 custom indicators for their trading system. The video sets the foundation for understanding market structure before diving into signals and trading strategies in future episodes.
Chartpatternstrading
A Triple Top Pattern: Signals and StrategiesA Triple Top Pattern: Signals and Strategies
Traders are always on the lookout for reliable analysis tools that can help them make informed trading decisions. One such tool is the triple top trading pattern. It is a bearish reversal formation that can help traders identify potential trend reversals and take advantage of market opportunities.
In this FXOpen article, we will explore what the triple top pattern is, what it indicates, and how to identify it on price charts. Keep reading to find examples that will help you understand how to use it in a trading strategy.
What Is a Triple Top Pattern?
A triple top is a technical analysis pattern that signals a potential reversal in a trend. Is the triple top bullish or bearish? It’s a bearish formation. The pattern occurs when the price of an asset hits the same resistance level three times, failing to break above it on each occasion. This indicates that buyers are losing strength and sellers are starting to dominate the market. It is often seen after a sustained uptrend.
Identifying a triple top involves spotting three distinct peaks at roughly the same price level, separated by two troughs. The peaks are formed when the price hits resistance but fails to push through, while the troughs occur when the price retraces after each failed attempt.
To confirm a valid triple top, the peaks should be close in height, and the troughs should create a roughly horizontal neckline. The pattern is confirmed when the price breaks below the neckline, signalling that sellers have overtaken buyers.
Triple Top Chart Pattern Trading Strategy
Once traders have identified the triple top formation, they can use various trading strategies to take advantage of it. However, there are common rules that are used as the basis:
- Entry: Traders enter a short position when the price breaks below the neckline, which is the level that connects the two troughs that separate the peaks. This level is a critical support level, and when it is broken, it confirms the triple top candlestick pattern and indicates that the trend is reversing.
- Stop Loss: To manage risk, traders place a stop-loss order above the neckline. If the price starts to rise again, the stop-loss order will limit potential losses. The theory states that traders can place a stop-loss on the neckline. However, the price often retests the support level after a breakout, so the risk of an early exit rises.
- Take Profit: There are several ways of determining a profit target. The most common technique is to measure the distance between the tops and bottoms and subtract it from the triple top breakout point.
Another strategy is to identify the target based on the closest support levels. However, this may limit potential returns if the support is too close to the entry point. Therefore, traders sometimes use trailing stops to lock in potential profits as the price continues to fall.
Trading Example
In the chart above, the price formed the triple top. We could have entered a short position once the price broke below the neckline and closed it either at the point equal to the distance between the peaks and the neckline or at the closest support level, as the levels are almost equal. However, selling volumes were low (1) at the breakout level, so we could have expected an upcoming bullish reversal. Therefore, we wouldn’t have kept the position beyond the initial take-profit target.
How Traders Confirm the Triple Top
To confirm the triple top pattern and ensure its validity, traders use a combination of technical tools and indicators. These help confirm that the trend is indeed reversing and not just experiencing a temporary pullback. Here are the key methods traders use:
- Neckline Break. The most important confirmation comes when the price breaks below the neckline, which is the horizontal level connecting the lows between the peaks. A clean break suggests a stronger reversal.
- Volume Analysis. Volume plays a crucial role in confirming the triple top. Traders look for a surge in selling volume when the price breaks the neckline. If the volume is low during the breakout, the pattern may not be reliable, and a bullish reversal could follow.
- Momentum Indicators. Traders often use momentum indicators like the Stochastic Oscillator or Moving Average Convergence Divergence (MACD). When these indicators show bearish divergence, it signals a potential downward reversal. A negative crossover in the MACD or Stochastic adds further confirmation.
- Retest of Neckline. Sometimes, after breaking the neckline, the price may retrace and retest this level as resistance. A failed retest, where the price does not move back above the neckline, confirms that sellers are in control.
Triple Top vs Triple Bottom
It is important to distinguish between the triple top and the triple bottom chart patterns, as the former is the bearish setup, while the latter is a bullish reversal formation. The triple bottom setup forms when the price hits a particular support level three times and fails to break through it. It suggests that the sellers have lost their strength, and the buyers are starting to take control. The bottoms are separated by two peaks, which occur when the price retraces some of its gains from the support level.
Traders use the same principles to trade the triple bottom as they would the triple top but vice versa. They enter a long position when the price breaks above the neckline and set a stop-loss order below it. The take-profit target might equal the distance between bottoms and peaks or be set at the closest resistance level.
Triple Top Challenges
While the triple top pattern is a valuable tool for spotting reversals, it has its limitations. Traders should be aware of the following challenges:
- False Breakouts. The price may break below the neckline only to quickly reverse back, leading to a false signal. This can cause traders to enter losing positions if they act too quickly without further confirmation.
- Extended Sideways Movement. Sometimes, the price can stay near the neckline after a breakout, leading to indecision and uncertain market behaviour. This sideways movement can make it difficult to determine if the trend has truly reversed.
- Retests Leading to Reversals. After the initial breakout, the price may retest the neckline and move back above it, invalidating the triple top pattern. Traders need to be cautious and set appropriate stop-loss orders to help potentially mitigate risk.
Final Thoughts
The triple top pattern offers traders a powerful tool for identifying potential market reversals. However, it’s crucial to confirm the pattern and integrate it with other forms of analysis to avoid false signals. Ready to put these insights into action? Open an FXOpen account today, and trade with a broker offering tight spreads, low commissions, and advanced trading platforms.
FAQ
What Does a Triple Top Mean in Trading?
The triple top pattern meaning refers to a bearish reversal formation indicating a potential end to an uptrend. It forms when the price reaches the same resistance level three times without breaking through, suggesting weakening buying momentum and increasing selling pressure. This pattern signals that the asset's price may soon decline.
How Do You Confirm the Triple Top Pattern?
To confirm a triple top pattern, traders watch for a decisive break below the neckline, which connects the lows between the peaks. Increased trading volume during the breakout strengthens the confirmation, indicating strong seller interest. Technical indicators like the Stochastic Oscillator showing bearish divergence can provide additional validation.
Is a Triple Top Bullish?
No, a triple top is not bullish; it is a bearish reversal pattern. It signifies that the asset's price has repeatedly failed to surpass a resistance level, indicating diminishing upward momentum. Traders see this as a cue to consider short positions or to exit existing long positions.
Is a Triple Top Stronger Than a Double Top?
A triple top is generally considered stronger than a double top pattern because the price has failed to break resistance three times instead of two. This extra failed attempt reinforces the strength of the resistance level and increases the likelihood of a significant reversal. However, both patterns are important and should be analysed with other market factors.
This article represents the opinion of the Companies operating under the FXOpen brand only. It is not to be construed as an offer, solicitation, or recommendation with respect to products and services provided by the Companies operating under the FXOpen brand, nor is it to be considered financial advice.
What Is a High and Tight Flag Pattern, and How Can You Trade It?What Is a High and Tight Flag Pattern, and How Can You Trade It?
The high and tight flag pattern is a formation in technical analysis, signalling a continuation of a strong bullish trend. Recognised by its sharp rise followed by brief consolidation, this formation is highly valued by traders. In this article, we delve into the specifics of the high and tight flag pattern, its characteristics, and how to trade it effectively.
Understanding the High and Tight Flag Pattern
You have heard of the flag pattern. The high and tight flag pattern is its version.
The high and tight flag pattern is a powerful and rare chart formation used in technical analysis. It signals a potential continuation of a strong upward trend and is favoured by traders for its reliability in bullish markets.
This formation is characterised by two main components: the flagpole and the flag. The flagpole is formed by a steep price increase, typically ranging from 50% to 100% over a short period, often spanning one to three weeks, though potentially more or less. This sharp rise indicates strong buying interest and momentum.
Following the flagpole, the flag appears as a brief consolidation period where the price moves sideways or slightly downward. This phase also usually lasts one to three weeks and represents a pause in the upward trend as traders take profits and the market digests the sharp rise. The flag portion should retrace less than 20% of the flagpole's height to maintain the pattern's integrity.
The high and tight flag is highly valued for its effectiveness. When the price breaks out above the upper boundary of the flag with increased volume, it often signals the resumption of the bullish trend. Traders view this breakout as an opportunity to enter or add to positions, anticipating further upward movement.
Characteristics of the High and Tight Flag Pattern
Here are the specific criteria that define the high and tight bull flag.
- Steep Flagpole Formation: The formation begins with a sharp price increase. This rise is typically between 50% and 100%, which is commonly observed in stock and crypto* markets. For forex or commodities, traders can simply look for large, outsized moves that may result from significant news events.
- Flag Formation: After the flagpole, the asset enters a consolidation phase. This is how the flag is formed. This part of the pattern appears as a brief sideways or slightly downward movement, indicating a pause as the market digests the rapid price increase.
- Retracement Level: During the flag formation, the price generally retraces between 10% and 20% of the flagpole's height. This retracement doesn't need to be an absolute 10% to 20% decrease in price but rather a proportional pullback relative to the initial rise.
- Timeframes: The high and tight flag can occur across all timeframes and assets. However, it is generally more accurate on medium-term timeframes, such as the 1-hour to 4-hour charts. This makes it particularly useful for swing traders who focus on these intervals.
- Breakout Confirmation: For the pattern to be validated, the price should break out above the upper boundary of the flag with renewed momentum. This breakout often signals the continuation of the prior bullish trend.
Why Does the High and Tight Flag Pattern Form?
The high and tight flag pattern is based on a combination of strong buying interest and market consolidation. Initially, a significant catalyst, such as positive news or earnings, drives a sharp price increase, creating the flagpole. This rapid ascent attracts more buyers, amplifying the upward momentum.
Following this surge, the market enters a brief consolidation phase where traders take profits and the price stabilises, forming the flag. This pause allows the market to absorb the gains without a significant pullback and accumulate more positions.
The pattern forms as investors await further confirmation of the trend, often leading to a breakout above the flag. This breakout signifies renewed buying interest and the potential for continued upward movement.
Trading the High and Tight Flag Pattern
Now, let’s look at general trading rules applied to the pattern. To trade the high and tight flag chart pattern for yourself, head over to FXOpen.
Step 1: Identifying the Initial Steep Flagpole Movement
The first step in trading the high and tight flag involves spotting the initial sharp upward movement, ideally within a broader uptrend. This steep rise should be between 50% and 100% over a short period or a noticeable sharp move, indicating strong bullish momentum. Traders often draw a trendline from the low to the high of this movement to visualise the flagpole.
Step 2: Watching for the Consolidation Phase
Following the flagpole, the price typically starts consolidating. This phase can appear as a weak downtrend or a sideways range, usually accompanied by lower trading volume. Traders can draw trendlines to mark the upper and lower boundaries of this consolidation, forming the flag portion.
Step 3: Waiting for a Breakout
The next crucial step is to wait for a breakout above the upper boundary of the flag. This breakout can occur at the flagpole's high or above the upper trendline drawn during the consolidation phase.
To confirm the breakout, traders often use technical indicators such as a moving average crossover or the Relative Strength Index (RSI) moving above 50, indicating bullish territory. A tightening and widening of Bollinger Bands can also indicate a breakout is underway. It’s also best to wait for a close outside of the upper boundary to prevent trading a false breakout.
Step 4: Entering the Trade, Setting a Stop, and Taking Profits
Once confirmation of the breakout is found, traders enter a trade as the price breaks out or at a retest of the trendline. Setting a stop-loss order below the low of the consolidation phase is a common risk management strategy. This helps to potentially limit losses if the formation fails to hold. Profits might be taken at a 1.5x extension of the flagpole, i.e. taking half of the flagpole’s size and adding it to the flagpole’s high.
Advantages and Disadvantages of the High and Tight Flag Pattern
The high and tight flag is a popular tool among traders for its reliability and clear signals, but it comes with both benefits and challenges.
Advantages
- High Reliability: When identified correctly, this pattern often indicates strong bullish continuation, providing clear entry points.
- Strong Momentum: The pattern reflects significant buying interest, suggesting sustained price movement.
- Easy Identification: The sharp rise followed by a brief consolidation makes it visually distinct and easier to spot.
Disadvantages
- Rarity: This pattern is relatively rare, limiting trading opportunities.
- False Breakouts: Without proper confirmation, breakouts can fail, leading to potential losses.
- Market Dependency: Best observed in stocks and cryptocurrencies*, it may be less effective in forex or commodities.
- Risk of Over-Reliance: Solely relying on this pattern without additional analysis or indicators can increase trading risk.
The Bottom Line
The high and tight flag is a powerful tool for identifying strong bullish trends. By understanding its characteristics and applying effective trading strategies, traders can potentially enhance their market performance. To put these strategies into practice and take advantage of market opportunities, consider opening an FXOpen account. FXOpen offers a robust platform for trading and a wide range of assets to help you execute your trading plans with confidence.
FAQs
What Is a High and Tight Flag Pattern?
A high and tight flag pattern is a chart formation in technical analysis that signals a continuation of a strong upward trend. It consists of a steep rise in price (the flagpole) followed by a short period of consolidation (the flag). It is typically seen in stocks and cryptocurrencies* and indicates strong buying momentum, though it can be applied to forex and commodities.
How to Identify a High and Tight Flag?
Identifying a high and tight flag involves looking for an initial sharp price increase of 50% to 100% over a short period, forming the flagpole. This is followed by a brief consolidation phase, where the price moves sideways or slightly downward, usually a retracement of 10% to 20%, creating the flag. Drawing trendlines along the high and low points of these phases helps visualise the pattern.
What Is the Buy Point for a High and Tight Flag?
According to the theory, the buy point for a high and tight flag occurs when the price breaks out above the upper boundary of the flag. Traders often look for confirmation of the breakout using indicators such as a moving average crossover or RSI moving into bullish territory. By entering a trade at this point, traders can potentially take advantage of the continued upward momentum.
*At FXOpen UK, Cryptocurrency CFDs are only available for trading by those clients categorised as Professional clients under FCA Rules. They are not available for trading by Retail clients.
Trade on TradingView with FXOpen. Consider opening an account and access over 700 markets with tight spreads from 0.0 pips and low commissions from $1.50 per lot.
This article represents the opinion of the Companies operating under the FXOpen brand only. It is not to be construed as an offer, solicitation, or recommendation with respect to products and services provided by the Companies operating under the FXOpen brand, nor is it to be considered financial advice.
Best Chart Patterns in Price Action for Intraday & Swing Trading
Last year I shared more than 1000 free swing and intraday trading signals for Forex, Gold, Silver, Oil, Crypto and Major Indexes.
The majority of the setups were based on classic price action chart patterns.
What I did through the trading year, I kept a record of each free signal that I posted: noting the winners, losers and the entry reason.
In this article, I will share with you the most accurate and profitable patterns for trading by accuracy and winning rate.
First, let me reveal the list of chart patterns that I traded this year:
double top & double bottom, head & shoulders pattern, cup & handle, bullish and bearish flag, rising and falling wedge, horizontal channel, ascending, descending and symmetrical triangles.
And I did not trade every pattern that I spotted. There were some specific criteria that I relied on to confirm the validity of the patterns.
Keep reading and you will learn these criteria.
Secondly, you can back test the performance of a trading setup and of each pattern that I shared on my official tradingview page by your own.
Simply, use the filter to display the desired pattern.
Tradingview does not allow removing the trading signal once it is posted, so all the results are 100% real.
My TradingView Page - www.tradingview.com
Thirdly, all the chart patterns that I trade strictly formed on key daily supports and resistances . I never trade the patterns beyond key levels.
For example, the triangle chart pattern on an hourly time frame on EURAUD that I posted recently was formed on a key daily horizontal resistance.
Please, note that the price action patterns alone that are formed far from strong supports and resistances will always have a lower winning rate.
Also, I applied the chart patterns primarily for day trading and swing trading.
The time frames that I used were daily/4h/1h. For scalping, the performance will be different.
And the last thing that patterns in chart patterns trading is the direction of the market trend. The price action pattern that indicates a price movement against the trend will always have a lower accuracy than the one the aligns with the trend and give a trend following signal.
In the trading setup above, I spotted not only a bullish price action pattern on an hourly time frame but also a strong bullish trend on a daily.
Following all these criteria, here are the winning rates of chart patterns that I traded this year.
Double top & double bottom pattern get 66% winning rate.
That's the example of a perfect double bottom chart pattern for trading.
Remember that the fact that the price formed a pattern does not provide a reliable signal, we trade only after a breakout of its neckline and a candle close beyond, that is our strong confirmation.
Head & shoulders pattern and its inverted version get 69% winning rate.
You can find a valid head and shoulders pattern above. It was formed on a key daily resistance, and the trade was opened strictly after a violation of the neckline.
Cup & handle pattern and its inverted version has 67% accuracy this year.
That's a very perfect cup and handle that the price formed on a key support. Confirmation is the violation of the horizontal neckline.
Bullish and bearish flags get 62% accuracy.
Examine the perfect flag pattern on USDJPY. The market is bullish on a daily and trades within a rising channel. The price formed a bullish flag on an hourly, approaching its support. Our signal to buy is the violation of its upper trend line.
Rising and falling wedges get 64% accuracy.
The rising wedge that the price formed on the chart above perfectly aligns with the up trend on a daily.
Horizontal channel - the range achieves 68% winning rate.
The horizontal range that the price formed after a breakout of a key daily support and its consequent test was broken to the downside, giving a reliable intraday confirmation signal.
The accuracy of ascending and descending triangles gave correct signals in 67% of the trades.
We made a nice profit, buying Bitcoin after a breakout of a neckline of the ascending triangle pattern that was formed on a retest recently broken daily resistance that turned into support.
Symmetrical triangle got 61% winning chance.
The violation of a falling trend line of a symmetrical triangle after a test of a key daily support gave a strong intraday bullish signal.
The best and the most accurate trading setups were based on a combination of multiple patterns.
It is a situation, when the market forms 2 or even more the-same biased patterns.
The trading setup above combines 2 bearish price action patterns on a key daily resistance: rising wedge pattern and descending triangle. Breakouts the trend line and neckline of both patterns gave very accurate bearish signal.
Such setups have a winning chance above 70%.
The one setup that gave almost 83% winning rate this year was based on a combination of a falling wedge pattern and a cup & handle pattern within.
In that setup, you can find not only a falling wedge pattern and its resistance breakout but also a cup & handle pattern that formed within and its neckline violation as well.
Always record the results and the entry criteria of your trades.
It will help you to identify the most efficient entry signals and the worst ones.
I hope that my observations will help you in the next trading year.
❤️Please, support my work with like, thank you!❤️
Learn Best Price Action Patterns For Trend-Following Trading
In this educational articles, I will teach you the best price action patterns for Trend-Following Trading Forex.
📍Ascending & Descending Triangles
The ascending triangle will be considered to be a trend-following pattern if the impulse leg preceding the formation of the pattern is bullish.
The pattern consist of 2 main elements:
a horizontal neckline based on the equal highs,
a rising trend line based on the higher lows.
❗️The trigger is a bullish breakout of a neckline of the pattern and candle close above.
📈The position is opened on a retest.
🔴Stop loss is lying at least below the level of the last higher low.
🎯Take profit is the next historical resistance.
Look at an ascending triangle formation on EURUSD on an hourly time frame.
On the left, you can see the structure of the pattern and on the right, the trading plan.
📍The descending triangle will be considered to be a trend-following pattern if the impulse leg preceding the formation of the pattern is bearish.
The pattern consist of 2 main elements:
a horizontal neckline based on the equal lows,
a falling trend line based on the lower highs.
❗️The trigger is a bearish breakout of a neckline of the pattern and candle close below.
📉The position is opened on a retest.
🔴Stop loss is lying at least above the level of the last lower high.
🎯Take profit is the next historical support.
Above is a perfect descending triangle pattern that I spotted on GBPUSD on a 4H time frame.
📍Bullish & Bearish Wedges
The bullish wedge pattern will be considered to be a trend-following pattern if the impulse leg preceding the formation of the pattern is bullish and the pattern is directed to the downside.
The pattern consist of 2 contracting falling trend lines based on the lower lows and lower highs.
❗️The trigger is a bullish breakout of a resistance of the pattern and candle close above.
📈The position is opened on a retest.
🔴Stop loss is lying below the low of the pattern.
🎯Take profit is the high of the pattern.
Above is a falling wedge pattern that I found on GBPUSD.
The pattern is formed after a strong bullish impulse.
A trigger to buy is a bullish breakout of its resistance.
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The bearish wedge pattern will be considered to be a trend-following pattern if the impulse leg preceding the formation of the pattern is bearish and the pattern is directed to the upside.
The pattern consist of 2 contracting rising trend lines based on the higher highs and higher lows.
❗️The trigger is a bearish breakout of a support of the pattern and candle close below.
📉The position is opened on a retest.
🔴Stop loss is lying above the high of the pattern.
🎯Take profit is the low of the pattern.
To correctly sell this rising wedge pattern on EURUSD, we should wait for a breakout of its horizontal support and then sell the market on its retest.
📍Bullish & Bearish Flags
The bullish flag pattern will be considered to be a trend-following pattern if the impulse leg preceding the formation of the pattern is bullish and the pattern is directed to the downside.
The pattern consist of 2 parallel falling trend lines based on the lower lows and lower highs.
❗️The trigger is a bullish breakout of a resistance of the pattern and candle close above.
📈The position is opened on a retest.
🔴Stop loss is lying below the low of the pattern.
🎯Take profit is the high of the pattern.
Above, you can see a perfect example of a bullish flag pattern on EURUSD on a 4H time frame and its trading strategy.
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The bearish flag pattern will be considered to be a trend-following pattern if the impulse leg preceding the formation of the pattern is bearish and the pattern is directed to the upside.
The pattern consist of 2 parallel rising trend lines based on the higher highs and higher lows.
❗️The trigger is a bearish breakout of a support of the pattern and candle close below.
📉The position is opened on a retest.
🔴Stop loss is lying above the high of the pattern.
🎯Take profit is the low of the pattern.
Above is a bearish flag pattern on GBPUSD and a full plan to sell the market based on it.
📍Bullish & Bearish Symmetrical Triangles
The bullish symmetrical triangle will be considered to be a trend-following pattern if the impulse leg preceding the formation of the pattern is bullish.
The pattern consist of 2 contracting symmetrical trend lines based on the higher lows and lower highs.
❗️The trigger is a bullish breakout of a resistance of the pattern and candle close above.
📈The position is opened on a retest.
🔴Stop loss is lying at least below the last higher low of the pattern.
🎯Take profit is the high of the pattern.
This bullish symmetrical triangle on EURUSD on an hourly time frame is a perfect example of a bullish trend-following pattern.
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The bearish symmetrical triangle will be considered to be a trend-following pattern if the impulse leg preceding the formation of the pattern is bearish.
The pattern consist of 2 contracting symmetrical trend lines based on the higher lows and lower highs.
❗️The trigger is a bearish breakout of a support of the pattern and candle close below.
📉The position is opened on a retest.
🔴Stop loss is lying at least above the last lower high of the pattern.
🎯Take profit is the low of the pattern.
On the left chart, you can see a structure of a valid symmetrical triangle.
On the right chart, you can see how to trade it properly.
The main difficulty related to trading these patterns is their recognition. You should train your eyes to recognize them on a price chart.
Once you learn to do that, I guarantee you that you will make tons of money trading them.
Forex Trading Basics: Charting Your Way to SuccessIntroduction
Forex trading is the practice of buying and selling different currencies to profit from market fluctuations. This financial market is the largest in the world, with an average daily trading volume of $6.6 trillion, making it an attractive arena for traders. In this article, we'll cover some fundamental principles of forex trading, and show you where charts can help you understand and apply these principles.
Forex Trading Principles
Understanding Forex Market:
The Forex market is a decentralized global marketplace where participants buy, sell, exchange, and speculate on the value of different currencies. Currency pairs are traded, such as EUR/USD (Euro/US Dollar) or USD/JPY (US Dollar/Japanese Yen). The first currency in the pair is the base currency, and the second is the quote currency. Understanding how currency pairs are quoted and the concept of exchange rates is essential for Forex trading. Factors that influence the Forex market include economic indicators, geopolitical events, interest rates, inflation, and market sentiment. Traders need to keep abreast of these factors to make informed trading decisions.
Trading Strategy:
A Forex trading strategy provides a systematic approach to navigate the complexities of the market. It helps traders identify entry and exit points, manage trades, and minimize emotional decision-making. Different trading styles, such as day trading (short-term), swing trading (mid-term), and position trading (long-term), require distinct strategies. Some popular Forex trading strategies include trend following, breakout trading, range trading, and carry trading. Traders must align their chosen strategy with their risk tolerance, available time for trading, and personal financial goals.
Risk Management:
Effective risk management is vital to protect your capital and survive in the Forex market. It involves determining the appropriate position size based on your account balance and risk appetite. Setting stop-loss orders is crucial to limit potential losses if a trade goes against you. Additionally, traders should consider setting profit targets to secure gains and practice sound money management principles. Risk management ensures that no single trade or a series of losses can wipe out a substantial portion of your trading account.
Use of Indicators:
Technical indicators are tools used to analyze price charts and identify potential trading opportunities. Fractals, for example, are indicators that highlight potential reversal points in the market. They consist of five consecutive bars, with the middle bar showing the highest (or lowest) price. Traders can use other indicators like Moving Averages, Relative Strength Index (RSI), MACD, and Bollinger Bands, among others. However, it's essential not to rely solely on indicators but to combine them with other forms of analysis and market context for more accurate decision-making.
Applying Charts in Forex Trading
Identifying Patterns:
Forex charts are instrumental in recognizing chart patterns, which are recurring formations that can indicate potential market movements. The 'head and shoulders' pattern showed on the chart below is just one example. Other common patterns include double tops and bottoms, wedges, flags, and pennants. Each pattern has its own implications for price direction and can help traders anticipate trend reversals or continuations. Understanding these patterns and incorporating them into your analysis can significantly improve your trading decisions.
Using Indicators:
Indicators are mathematical calculations based on historical price and volume data, providing additional insights into market trends and potential entry or exit points. Besides fractals, traders often use indicators like Moving Averages, Relative Strength Index (RSI), Moving Average Convergence Divergence (MACD), and Bollinger Bands. These indicators help traders identify overbought or oversold conditions, trend strength, and potential trend changes. However, it's important to use indicators wisely and not overload charts with too many indicators, as it can lead to conflicting signals and confusion.
Determining Entry and Exit Points:
Charts serve as a primary tool for determining optimal entry and exit points for trades. Technical analysis tools, along with support and resistance levels, can guide traders in identifying areas of potential buying or selling interest. By combining technical analysis with their trading strategy, traders can time their entries and exits more effectively, enhancing the risk-reward ratio of their trades.
Risk Management:
Effective risk management is critical in Forex trading, and charts play a significant role in this aspect. By visualizing price movements and key levels on the chart, traders can determine appropriate stop-loss levels to limit potential losses. They can also calculate the position size based on their risk tolerance and the distance between their entry point and stop-loss level. Charts allow traders to assess the risk-reward ratio of a trade before executing it, ensuring they only take trades with favorable risk-to-reward profiles.
Conclusion
In conclusion, achieving success as a Forex trader requires a holistic approach that encompasses several critical elements. Understanding the basic principles of the Forex market sets the foundation for making informed decisions. Recognizing the role of currency pairs, exchange rates, and the factors influencing the market provides a solid framework for effective trading.
Developing a robust trading strategy tailored to your trading style and risk tolerance is paramount. Whether you opt for day trading, swing trading, or position trading, having a well-defined plan will guide your actions and protect you from impulsive decisions driven by emotions.
Charts serve as indispensable tools in Forex trading, enabling traders to visualize market data and identify key patterns and trends. Mastering the art of chart analysis empowers traders to spot potential opportunities, determine entry and exit points, and manage risk effectively.
However, success in Forex trading is not solely reliant on theoretical knowledge and technical skills. Consistency and discipline play a crucial role. Maintaining consistency in your trading approach and adhering to your trading plan even during challenging market conditions can lead to long-term success.
Discipline is essential in curbing the temptation to deviate from your strategy due to fear or greed. Practicing patience and avoiding overtrading are equally vital aspects of maintaining discipline.
Moreover, the Forex market is dynamic and subject to constant change. Staying updated with market trends, economic events, and geopolitical developments is indispensable. Continually refining your trading strategies and adapting to evolving market conditions will keep you ahead of the curve.
Additionally, never forget the importance of risk management. Preserving your trading capital through proper position sizing, setting stop-loss orders, and managing risk prudently is the key to surviving in the Forex market over the long term.
In conclusion, the journey to becoming a successful Forex trader is a continuous process of learning, analyzing, and improving. Embrace a comprehensive approach that combines knowledge, strategy, chart analysis, consistency, discipline, and risk management. By doing so, you position yourself for success in the ever-changing and exciting world of Forex trading.
How To Trade the Triangle Consolidation Pattern!Hey Traders today I wanted to take a step back and show new traders the proper way of entering the market when it's consolidating in a triangle. Triangles are very common in trading and know how to identify them on your charts is a great tool to add to your trading arnsenal. Triangles can lead to explosive moves in financial markets so lets dive in and break it down to a science of how to trade it.
Enjoy
Trade Well,
Clifford
📊 Diverse Chart ApproachesHere is a diverse chart approach for trading that includes some tips:
📍 Use multiple timeframes:
Analyzing charts at different timeframes (e.g., daily, weekly, monthly) can provide a broader perspective on market trends and potential trading opportunities.
📍 Combine chart types:
Using different types of charts, such as line, bar, and candlestick charts, can provide different insights into price action and help identify support and resistance levels.
📍 Apply indicators:
Technical indicators, such as moving averages and oscillators, can be applied to charts to identify potential entry and exit points, as well as confirm price trends.
📍 Incorporate chart patterns:
Chart patterns, such as triangles, flags, and head and shoulders, can be used to identify potential price breakouts and reversals.
📍 Use trendlines:
Drawing trendlines on charts can help identify potential areas of support and resistance, as well as indicate trend direction.
📍 Keep it simple:
While it's important to use a diverse range of charting techniques, it's also important not to overload charts with too much information. Keeping charts clean and easy to read can help avoid confusion and lead to more effective trading decisions.
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📊 Chart Pattern CheatsheetChart patterns are visual representations of a stock's price movement over time. These patterns can provide traders with information about the stock's trend, momentum, and potential future direction. Continuation and reversal patterns are two types of chart patterns that traders use to identify potential entry points. When considering entry points for both continuation and reversal patterns, traders often use a combination of technical indicators and price action analysis. They may use tools such as moving averages, oscillators, and trendlines to confirm a pattern's validity and identify potential entry points. Additionally, traders may set stop-loss orders to manage risk and limit potential losses.
🔹 Continuation patterns
Continuation patterns are chart patterns that suggest that the current trend will continue. They occur when the stock price consolidates in a certain range, showing a temporary pause in the trend. Some common continuation patterns include triangles, flags, and pennants. Traders may look to enter a long position when the stock price breaks out of the pattern, typically on higher than average trading volume.
🔹 Reversal patterns
Reversal patterns, on the other hand, suggest that the current trend is likely to reverse. These patterns occur when the stock price has reached a high or low point and is likely to move in the opposite direction. Some common reversal patterns include head and shoulders, double tops and bottoms, and the "V" pattern. Traders may look to enter a short position when the stock price breaks below a support level or the neckline of a pattern.
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📊 Chart Patterns Cheat SheetPatterns are the distinctive formations created by the movements of security prices on a chart and are the foundation of technical analysis.
A pattern is identified by a line connecting common price points, such as closing prices or highs or lows, during a specific period.
Technical analysts seek to identify patterns to anticipate the future direction of a security’s price.
These patterns can be as simple as trendlines and as complex as double head-and-shoulders formations.
🔹 Reversal patterns are those chart formations that signal that the ongoing trend is about to change course.
If a reversal chart pattern forms during an uptrend, it hints that the trend will reverse and that the price will head down soon.
Conversely, if a reversal chart pattern is seen during a downtrend, it suggests that the price will move up later on.
🔹 Continuation chart patterns are those chart formations that signal that the ongoing trend will resume.
Usually, these are also known as consolidation patterns because they show how buyers or sellers take a quick break before moving further in the same direction as the prior trend.
Trends don’t usually move in a straight line higher or lower. They pause and move sideways, “correct” lower or higher, and then regain momentum to continue the overall trend.
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🔠 The ABCD PatternThe ABCD is a basic harmonic pattern. All other patterns derive from it. The pattern consists of 3 price swings. The lines AB and CD are called “legs”, while the line BC is referred to as a correction or a retracement. AB and CD tend to have approximately the same size. A bullish ABCD pattern follows a downtrend and means that a reversal to the upside is likely. A bearish ABCD pattern is formed after an uptrend and signals a potential bearish reversal at a certain level. The rules for trading bullish and bearish ABCD patterns are the same, you will just need to take into account the direction of the pattern you trade and the movement of the market it predicts.
🔷Classic ABCD
The point C should be at 61.8%-78.6% of AB. The point D, in its turn, should be at the 127.2%-161.8% Fibonacci expansion of BC.
Notice that a 61.8% retracement at the point C tends to result in the 161.8% projection of BC, while a 78.6% retracement at the C point will lead to the 127% projection.
🔷AB = CD
Here CD has exactly the same length as AB. In addition, it takes the market the equal time to travel from A to B as from C to D. As a Result, AB and CD have the same angle. This type of ABCD pattern is seen quite often and is popular among traders.
🔷ABCD Extension
ABCD extension refers to when CD is the 127.2%-161.8% extension of AB. CD can be even 2 times (or more) bigger than AB. There actually are some signs that can hint that CD will be much longer than AB. They are a gap after point C or big candlesticks near point C.
📊Trading with ABCD pattern
The key thing you should remember is that you can enter the trade only after the price reached the point D.
Study the chart looking at the price’s highs and lows. It may be helpful to use ZigZag indicator (Insert – Indicators – Custom – ZigZag) that marks the chart’s swings.
Watch the price as it forms AB and BC. In a bullish ABCD, C must be lower than A and should be the intermediate high after the low at B. Point D must be a new low below B.
When the market arrives at a point, where D may be situated, don’t rush into a trade. Use some techniques to make sure that the price reversed up (or down if it’s a bearish ABCD).
The best scenario is a reversal candlestick pattern. A buy order may be set at or above the high of the candle at point D.
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Classical Chart Patterns - Bull MarketsHi there,
i have been sharing the chart patterns which are seen on any type of price charts. (CANDLESTICK CHART) and after research and experience, i see that the price move via various ways or concepts.
as per my experience, i see that the price move via waves & correction, and react to supply and demand levels. please share it and one may need it. and this is seen any type of instruments like stocks, forex, commodities, Futures & options. crypto. etc. in time frame for BULL MARKETS ONLY.
Note: Its my view only and its for educational purpose only. Only who has got knowledge about this strategy, will understand what to be done on this setup. its purely based on my technical analysis only (strategies). we don't focus on the short term moves, we look for only for Bullish or Bearish Impulsive moves on the setups after a good price action is formed as per the strategy. we never get into corrective moves. because it will test our patience and also it will be a bullish or a bearish trap. and try trade the big moves.
we do not get into bullish or bearish traps. We anticipate and get into only big bullish or bearish moves (Impulsive Moves). Just ride the Bullish or Bearish Impulsive Move. Learn & Know the Complete Market Cycle.
Buy Low and Sell High Concept. Buy at Cheaper Price and Sell at Expensive Price.
Keep it simple, keep it Unique.
please keep your comments useful & respectful.
Thanks for your support....
Tradelikemee Academy
How To Trade the Trend with best EntryHey Traders here is a quick video that explains the best entry point when trading the trend.
Sometimes the market will give you early signals that the trend will continue. Knowing when to find these signals or reversals can really benefit us in our trading.
Enjoy!
Trade Well
Clifford
[Candlestick Patterns] Just need to know these three!#Candlestick #CandlePattern #Tocademy #Tutorial
Hello traders from all over the world, this is HAMZA_ZDH=)
I was unexpectedly surprised by many of you who liked and supported my last post about the basic concept of TA( Technical Analysis ). Today I prepared a brief lecture about the Candlestick Pattern, one of the most fundamental phenomenon and behaviors that traders must be well-informed. In fact, we should be very familiar with these textbook contents and interpret it in a glimpse on the technical chart unconsciously. Just like we don't pay direct attention about each breathes when breathing, like we don't care each and all of the alphabets when we speak, or like we don’t perceive location of each keyboards every moment as we type, this very technique should be performed automatically and quickly by observing dominant formations of candlestick bars.
As a matter of fact, comprehending market trends and price actions only by referring to the candlesticks is yet too spurious. It should be used in such a way to weight on certain scenarios in a macroscopic view, rather than deriving precise and specific PRZ(Potential Reversal Zone)s and distinguish the accurate market trend. It’s never like ‘The price must go up because this pattern just appeared’. Furthermore, I strongly believe that the reliability of the candlestick pattern strategy is declining especially in recent financial market, where we encounter countless non-traditional and abnormal situations that were not very common in the past. Hence among the existing ‘Textbook’ candlestick pattern strategies that can easily be found on Google , there are particular patterns that are still very reliable on current market and there are ones that are not as reliable as it used to be. So here, I will organize everything very clearly for you guys.
Different Chart Patterns for Trend AnalysisLet's look at different chart patterns which help the traders to analyze the market. Chart patterns are a way of viewing a series of price actions that occur during a trading period. It can be over any time frame – monthly, weekly, daily, and intra-day. The great thing about chart patterns is that they tend to repeat themselves over and over again. Let's look at a few of these.
➡️ Ascending Triangle is a bullish continuation pattern. It is also called a 'rising triangle'. It is formed by a rising lower trendline and a flat upper trendline that acts as support. This pattern indicates that the buyers are more aggressive than the sellers as the price continues to make higher lows. This pattern completes itself when price breaks out of the triangle in the direction of the overall trend.
➡️ Inverse Head & Shoulder is a similar pattern to the head & shoulder pattern, just inverted. This pattern generally indicates a bullish trend movement. This pattern is a trend reversal chart pattern. This pattern makes three peaks, the two outside peaks are about the same height, and the middle one is the lowest. It is a reversal pattern, from bearish to bullish. This pattern is comprised of three parts: After long bearish trends, the price falls to a trough and then rises to make a peak. Again, the price falls to form a second trough below the previous low and increases again. The price falls for the third time, but only to the level of the first trough, before rising once more and reversing the trend.
➡️ Falling Wedge is created when a market consolidates between two converging support and resistance lines. A falling wedge is considered a bullish pattern. This price action forms a cone that slopes down as the highs and lows converge. This pattern is widest at the top and becomes narrower as it moves downward. It leads to tighter price action. If the falling wedge shows up in a downtrend, it is seen as a reversal pattern.
➡️ Triple Top is a bearish pattern. It is formed when the price makes three similar highs and then rejects to make a downtrend. The formation of this pattern is completed when the prices move back to the support line after forming the third peak.
➡️ Head & Shoulder formation consists of a left shoulder, a head, and a right shoulder and a line drawn as the neckline. Volume is highest and often expands on the left shoulder as the uptrend continues and more and more investors want to get in, whereas it is lowest on the right shoulder as investors sense a trend reversal. This low volume is often considered a strong sign of reversal.
➡️ Rising Wedge is formed when the market begins making higher highs and higher lows. All of the highs must be in-line so that they can be connected by a trend line. The rising wedge is a bearish pattern. This chart pattern has a wide trading range at the bottom and contracts to a smaller trading range as prices trend up. The rising wedge pattern signals a possible selling opportunity either after an uptrend or during an existing downtrend. The entry (sell order) is placed either when the price breaks below the bottom side of the wedge or the price finds resistance at the lower trend line.
➡️ Bullish Rectangle pattern is formed during an uptrend, defining the horizontal levels of support and resistance. The price keeps moving between the support and resistance lines. It maintains its highs and lows forming a trading range making a kind of a rectangle. These support and resistance lines should be parallel to each other. It is always advised to wait for a breakout confirmation on the resistance level to take a trade setup.
➡️ Bullish Pennant occurs just after a sharp rise in price and resembles a triangular flag as the price moves sideways, making gradually lower highs and higher lows. The uptrend then continues with another similar-sized rise in price. A bullish pennant has a pole that is created when the price experiences a sharp rise and then a pennant attached to the pole. The price when breaks the flag, signals a continuation of an uptrend.
➡️ Triple Bottom signals a bullish reversal pattern. This pattern consists of three equal lows followed by a breakout above resistance. The three bottoms should be nearly equal in size and have sufficient space between them. The confirmation for this pattern is a close above the upper trendline with above-average volume. Traders should treat the triple bottom pattern as a neutral pattern until the breakout is confirmed. Once the upper resistance level is broken with a sharp increase in volume, the momentum will likely carry the price action higher.
Thanks for reading, and let us know what do you think about these chart patterns in the comment box below.
Happy Trading
Pattern Cheatsheet: Identfying a Broadening Top PatternThe Broadening Top pattern appears when price makes a straight upwards run (similar to the "Flagpole" of a Bull Flag Pattern, then swings between two expanding broadening trendlines with at least 5 touches.
It is a neutral pattern which means it can break out in either direction, on the bottom right examples i have explained how the pattern is identified, measured and traded for both Bullish & Bearish breakouts.
The idea is to get a entry early by identifying the pattern, (point A) which allows for a better Risk:Reward ratio and closer stop loss. The second potential entry is at point B, which is considered a Bullish or Bearish retest ( Support/Resistance flip it is also known as), but this area is a bit risker and has less "room to move".
The pattern can give a a sign that the price may have a higher chance in heading in a certain direction, and we can measure the height of the straight run upwards, aswell as the height of the two LARGEST SWINGS within the pattern to get two possible price targets ; one conservative and one less so.
The Broadening Top appears frequently on Bitcoin & Ethereum and has one of the better success rates out of all the different Broadening Patterns and is one of the easiest to trade & identify because often it works similar to a Bull Flag pattern.
If you found this idea informative, Dont forget to show your support by liking & commenting thank you traders!















