Stop Hunts: How the Market Tests Your Patience“If the market keeps taking your stop before running in your direction…
You might not be wrong — just too early.”
What is a Stop Hunt?
A Stop Hunt is when price pushes just far enough to trigger stops sitting above a high or below a low — and then reverses.
It’s not random. It’s the market collecting liquidity before the real move begins.
Why Stop Hunts Happen
Stops are easy targets — they’re predictable.
Institutions use them to fill big orders at the best prices.
Your loss is their entry.
How to Spot a Stop Hunt
Mark clear swing highs and lows — obvious levels most traders are watching.
Watch price sweep above/below those levels with a quick move.
Wait. Don’t jump in — the first move is usually a trap.
Drop to a lower timeframe (M1/M5) to get a precise entry confirmation.
Look for structure shift or ChoCH after the sweep.
Only then, consider entering — now you’re trading with the market, not against it.
Example
Refer to the Gold(XAUUSD) M15 chart above:
Notice how price took out the previous swing low with a liquidity grab from the stop area — trapping early buyers — and only then launched into a strong up move.
This is the classic stop hunt behavior that shakes out weak hands before the real trend continues.
Patience turns a losing stop into a winning entry.
The market isn’t against you — it’s just testing who can wait.
📘 Shared by @ChartIsMirror
