Most of the traps I trade come from the Trading Timeframe or Lower Timeframe charts.
I don't watch the higher timeframe for traps.
However, I do see them from time to time. And they can provide some nice trading opportunity.
Ok, "wrong" is probably a poor choice of word. The reality is that we don't know their strategy and their timeframe.
But let's just say that they're in a drawdown.
And if they're operating on similar timeframes to us, their position is NOT looking good.
They'll likely be under a significant amount of stress. And probably hoping, wishing and praying for some way to get out of the position closer to breakeven.
Let's drop down to the Trading Timeframe chart to see where we currently stand.
From a Trading Timeframe perspective, this was simply a BPB of a sideways range boundary.
But from a wider context perspective, it was also triggering a trap on the higher timeframe chart. Those betting on a gap-open continuation higher suddenly found their trade premise threatened.
And this makes our range breakout SHORT just a whole lot sweeter.
It pays to always be asking, "Is anyone trapped?"
And while our focus should primarily be on the Trading Timeframe chart, we should ensure our scan also extends to the Higher Timeframe chart. At least once per new higher timeframe candle.
Maintain a feel for context. Where is the current price action occurring within the higher timeframe structure? Sometimes this wider situational awareness will keep you out of a bad trade. Other times, as here, it can add additional fuel to our trade idea.
Always be asking, "Is anyone trapped?"
Happy trading,
Lance Beggs
O/H/L/C of the prior day should be on anyones chart
during the end of the week (Thursday/Friday) it pays to add the levels of the prior and current week (especially O of the current, if that is close to the current price level)
Agree. I always have the high and low marked. I don’t always mark the open and close, but I aware of their location.