Summary:

– ICT opened an unscripted trading discussion and noted he often gets asked for quick fixes or financial help but can’t bail everyone out.
– Main topic: criteria for trading the “first presented fair value gap” (FPFVG), especially in the opening range (~9:31–10:00 ET).
– Key entry conditions for an FPFVG:
– It should fit a session narrative (e.g., a pre-session expectation that was “undelivered”).
– Look for a clear displacement in the anticipated direction (a jolt/higher displacement for longs).
– Prefer a protraction that jumps outside efficiency (buy-side bounce).
– Size and volatility rules:
– In the current high-volatility environment he uses larger minimums: ~10 handles on NASDAQ, ~3–5 handles on ES.
– These thresholds evolved from prior rules because intraday ranges are now much wider.
– Smaller gaps can still inform stop placement or position sizing but are often not traded as primary signals.
– Execution & risk management:
– Have a preconceived session bias (not necessarily a hard day bias).
– If price trades back into the gap, start scaling in around the upper half of the gap.
– Place stop just beyond the first candle’s low (± a tick). If stopped, wait for price to trade above the gap and try once more with the same stop; if stopped again, end trading for the session.
– Don’t feel obligated to take every available FPFVG trade.
– A participant raised a psychology question: they have solid technical skills and execution but self-sabotage when things go very well (example: growing $500 to $7,000), and they struggle to fix this recurring behavioral issue.