-
Gravestone Doji Candlestick Trading Strategy in ICT: 5 Easy Steps
The Gravestone Doji candlestick is a key formation in price action analysis that suggests a potential reversal in market direction, typically from bullish to bearish. In ICT (Inner Circle Trader) methodology, this candlestick pattern can play a critical role in identifying key market turning points, especially when aligned with other smart money concepts such as…
-
How Smart Money Traps Retail Traders in ICT: 4 Easy Steps
In ICT (Inner Circle Trader) theory, smart money refers to institutional traders—like banks, hedge funds, and market makers—who have the resources and knowledge to manipulate price movements and create traps for retail traders. One of the ways they do this is by creating false moves, also known as fakeouts or stop hunts, to lure retail…
-
ICT Vaccum Blocks: 4 Simple Steps + 2 Easy Examples
In Inner Circle Trader (ICT) concepts, the Vacuum Block is a lesser-known but powerful price action concept that highlights market inefficiencies and price imbalances. It can be understood as a zone where liquidity has been “vacuumed” away, meaning there’s a lack of active trading orders, causing rapid price movement. The absence of orders creates a…
-
How Institutions Manage & Manipulate Order Flow in ICT? 7 Traps
In Inner Circle Trader (ICT) theory, institutions manage and manipulate order flow to create liquidity and capitalize on retail traders’ predictable behavior. Understanding how institutions move price allows traders to align themselves with these large players, also known as the “Smart Money.” ICT strategies are built around the idea that institutional traders leave behind clues…
-
Higher Highs & Higher Lows in ICT: 4 Steps + Practical Example
In Inner Circle Trader (ICT) trading, identifying Higher Highs (HH) and Higher Lows (HL) is essential for understanding market structure and trend direction. These are key concepts in recognizing bullish market trends, where price moves upward in a consistent pattern. A Higher High occurs when the price reaches a new peak that is higher than…
-
ICT Propulsion Block: Explained in 4 Easy Steps + 2 Examples
The ICT Propulsion Block is a concept used within the Inner Circle Trader (ICT) methodology, which helps traders identify institutional market moves, particularly focusing on areas where price is likely to continue trending. In ICT terms, a Propulsion Block refers to a price zone created by institutional orders that result in rapid market movement, indicating…
-
Fair Value Gaps in Price Rebalancing in ICT: 4 Steps + Example
Fair Value Gaps (FVGs) are essential components of the Inner Circle Trader (ICT) methodology, representing imbalances in price action. These gaps occur when the market moves sharply in one direction, creating a price range that hasn’t been fully traded. In ICT, FVGs are seen as price inefficiencies that the market is likely to revisit in…
-
ICT One Trade Setup for Life: 7 Steps + Easy Example
The ICT (Inner Circle Trader) “One Trade Setup for Life” is a core concept introduced by Michael J. Huddleston, also known as ICT. This setup represents a simplified yet powerful approach to trading, emphasizing the identification of high-probability trades using a combination of ICT principles. The essence of this concept is to develop a reliable,…
-
Trade Fair Value Gaps (FVGs) in ICT: 3 Easy Steps + Example
In Inner Circle Trader (ICT) methodology, Fair Value Gaps (FVGs) are important tools for understanding imbalances in price action. They help traders spot opportunities where the market may retrace to “fill” these gaps, offering potential trade setups. This guide explains how to identify and trade FVGs, providing detailed steps and examples to help you incorporate…
-
ICT Liquidity Sweep Vs. Liquidity Run: 4 Steps + 2 Examples
In Inner Circle Trader (ICT) concepts, liquidity plays a central role in understanding how the market moves and how institutional traders, or “Smart Money,” operate. Two critical phenomena in ICT that revolve around liquidity are Liquidity Sweeps and Liquidity Runs. These strategies help traders identify key market movements and exploit institutional actions for their advantage.…