Category: ICT YouTube

  • ICT 2026 Futures Opening Range Tape-Reading \ April 13, 2026

    ICT 2026 Futures Opening Range Tape-Reading \ April 13, 2026

    https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Il_DM4T7nzg

    – Focus of the stream: real-time tape reading of M and Q around the regular trading-hours opening-range gap — watching consequent encroachment and the possibility of a full gap closure after a weekend event caused a gap down.

    – Trading stance: neutral and observational. Don’t trade in mixed/50/50 conditions — wait for clear one-sided price action before participating.

    – Technical framework stressed:
    – Use concepts like fair value gaps (inversion/reclaimed), buy/sell imbalances, volume imbalances, midpoints, and bodies vs. wicks.
    – Confirm setups across timeframes (e.g., 15s → 1m) and look for stacked inefficiencies as entry opportunities.
    – Entry/stop rules: bodies must respect certain halves of inefficiencies; stops go below the appropriate low; targets set at defined liquidity pools or gap highs.

    – Market mechanics and risk: stop-hunts and algos create liquidity pools; “sell‑side liquidity” isn’t just stops but algorithmic behavior hunting lows/highs. Be careful sizing and avoid trading every fluctuation.

    – Process & mindset:
    – Anticipate (sniper analogy) rather than react; prefer high-probability, one-sided setups.
    – Keep a study journal and shorthand notepad (times, observed PDAs, emotions) to build pattern recognition and discipline.
    – Accept missed moves and stop-outs as learning; don’t chase social-media hype or copy signals blindly.

    – Practical guidance: expect to trade/validate more actively mid-week (Wed–Fri). If price proves strength by taking the new-week opening-gap high and accelerating, be interested; otherwise sit aside.

    – Macro note: geopolitical events are influencing sentiment now. The speaker expects markets may become cleaner/more one‑sided after the incoming Fed chair, but that’s an opinion, not a certainty.

    Bottom line: be patient, read price action for one‑sided confirmation, use multi‑timeframe fair‑value/imbalance rules for entries, journal trades and emotions, and avoid forcing trades in ambiguous conditions.

  • ICT 2026 Futures Weekend Review \ April 11, 2026

    ICT 2026 Futures Weekend Review \ April 11, 2026

    https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=RY67bW2UhxY

    Summary:

    – The speaker explains why and how he uses the continuous contract (vs the front‑month delivery contract) for analysis: continuous contracts smooth historical data, reveal volume imbalances/suspension blocks that the front‑month can hide, and let you compare how price behaves across contracts to judge market strength.
    – The continuous‑contract toggle (and the settlement‑price toggle) on charting platforms changes whether certain volume imbalances and suspension blocks are visible; he uses these toggles only to find volume imbalances, not to “hunt” fair value gaps.
    – Key technical concepts emphasized: breakers, suspension blocks (volume imbalances), consequent encroachment (half‑gap), wicks vs bodies (wicks show first‑presented FVG/inefficiency; bodies show order‑flow conviction), inversion, PD arrays, octants/quadrants for measuring ranges.
    – Practical trading rules: focus on low‑hanging fruit objectives and intraday targets rather than chasing large, improbable moves; use the opening range and the first hour (9:30–10:30) as the primary bias engine (half‑gap/consequent encroachment is a common first target with strong statistical edge).
    – He stresses price‑action/time‑based analysis over indicators or fundamental narratives (fundamentals are noisy/manipulated), and warns about increased manual intervention and algorithmic behavior in current markets—use stops and moderate leverage.
    – Teaching goals and next steps: he will post lectures on journaling and live sessions teaching entries and practical drills (order‑block and FVG-based entries) so students can build and test a repeatable model by practicing on lower timeframes.
    – Final message: commit to disciplined practice and journaling, focus on the first hour and simple, repeatable methods, and avoid chasing gimmicks or shortcuts.

    Quiz

    1. According to ICT, what is his primary use of the continuous contract toggle on and off for?
    A. To identify fair value gaps only
    B. To compare volume imbalances and suspension blocks across contract rollovers
    C. To calculate forex session opens
    D. To hide key price levels from retail traders

    2. When the market opens above the consequent encroachment of the opening range gap, what is ICT’s stated initial session bias?
    A. Look for buy side liquidity
    B. Look for sell side liquidity
    C. Avoid trading until the next day
    D. Fade the opening range gap immediately

    3. In ICT’s explanation, what is the “first presented fair value gap” on the chart?
    A. The wick
    B. The candle body midpoint
    C. The settlement price line
    D. The prior day’s high only

    4. What does ICT say about a bullish PD array in relation to the candle body?
    A. The body should close through the array
    B. The body should be above or touching it aggressively
    C. The body should not touch it; only the wick may touch or fail to touch
    D. The body should always close below it

    5. What did ICT say he was going to teach later in the week to help students build a baseline?
    A. Cryptocurrency arbitrage and news trading
    B. Order block strategy and fair value gap strategy
    C. Forex hedging and options gamma scalping
    D. Elliott Wave counting and harmonic patterns

    Answer Key

    1. B
    Evidence: “the only time I’ve ever utilized this function here is when I’m looking for volume imbalances” and “I’m only toggling on the continuous contract, I’m only using this function here to see where those volume imbalances are.”
    2. A
    Evidence: “my initial bias for session, okay? For session bias… I’m going to be looking for price to go up to the half gap. So, I’m going to be looking for what? Buy side liquidity.”
    3. A
    Evidence: “when we have a PD array or a range that we’re looking at… price goes up and can’t even accomplish getting to the high of it… you see that? When it does that, that’s proving heaviness.” and “the gap… what you see as the gap. That is not it. This is the wick.”
    4. C
    Evidence: “If you’re bullish, it should not touch it with the body or lay a body on it. The wick can touch it or fail to touch it. That’s bullish.”
    5. B
    Evidence: “I’ll do it with an order block strategy and I’ll do it with a fair value gap strategy. So that way it’ll help you build a baseline on what you’re looking for in price action.”

  • ICT 2026 Futures Weekend Review \ April 11, 2026

    ICT 2026 Futures Weekend Review \ April 11, 2026

    https://youtu.be/RY67bW2UhxY

    Summary:

    – Topic: using the continuous contract (vs front-month/delivery contracts) when analyzing micro E-mini NASDAQ futures (MNQ). The speaker demonstrates why he toggles the continuous contract on/off: not to find fair value gaps, but to reveal volume imbalances (suspension blocks) and historical price structure that the front-month data can miss when contracts roll.

    – Practical reason: the continuous contract smooths historical gaps and can show different important levels (breakers, volume imbalance highs/lows, consequent encroachment, half-gap). He compares the two views and uses whichever set of levels price respects for intraday decisions.

    – Key technical points: read candlestick bodies and wicks as order-flow footprints (wicks often indicate the first-presented fair-value gap; bodies indicate heaviness/strength). Use PD arrays, suspension blocks, octants/quadrants, and “event horizon” midzones to measure targets and sensitivity.

    – Trading approach: focus on index futures and the first hour of regular trading (9:30–10:30). The opening-range half-gap/consequent encroachment is a high-probability intraday objective (he cites ~70%); prioritize low-hanging fruit (smaller, higher-probability targets) rather than chasing large moves. Use lower timeframes to practice entries, place proper stops, and build a repeatable model.

    – Pedagogy and warnings: don’t over-rely on fundamentals, indicators, heatmaps, or paid gimmicks; learn to read price/time and develop your own model through journaling and disciplined practice. Expect the market to be noisier and manipulated at times; risk-manage and avoid overleveraging.

    – Logistics/upcoming: he recorded this live, will post further material (a lecture on journaling and sessions on practicing entries, order blocks and fair-value-gap strategies), and asks students to refer others to this video when asked about the continuous-contract function.

    Quiz

    1. What does ICT say he primarily uses the continuous contract for?
    A. To find fair value gaps only
    B. To look for volume imbalances and compare key levels
    C. To analyze forex pairs
    D. To identify earnings reports

    2. Why does ICT say he toggles the continuous contract setting on and off?
    A. To change the chart color scheme
    B. To compare different contracts and locate volume imbalances
    C. To remove all historical data
    D. To draw trendlines more easily

    3. According to ICT, what is the first draw or initial bias for the session when price opens above the consequent encroachment level?
    A. Look for sell-side liquidity
    B. Look for buy-side liquidity
    C. Ignore the opening range
    D. Trade only gold

    4. What does ICT say a wick can indicate when price cannot leave bodies above a key PD array in bullish conditions?
    A. Bullish continuation
    B. Premium sensitivity
    C. Bearish heaviness
    D. No useful information

    5. What does ICT recommend new students focus on first when developing a model?
    A. The first 60 minutes of trading, especially the first 30 minutes
    B. Yearly charts only
    C. Earnings season
    D. News headlines

    Answer Key:

    1. B
    Evidence: “I predominantly start my analysis on the continuous contract… I’m only toggling on the continuous contract. I’m only using this function here to see where those volume imbalances are.”
    2. B
    Evidence: “The only time I’ve ever utilized this function here is when I’m looking for volume imbalances… I’m looking for where volume imbalances exist.”
    3. B
    Evidence: “If we have a market that has a discount opening range gap… my initial bias for session… I’m going to be looking for price to go up to the half gap. So I’m going to be looking for what? Buy side liquidity.”
    4. C
    Evidence: “When it does that, that’s proving heaviness. Heaviness is bearishness. It’s not showing strength to continue higher.”
    5. A
    Evidence: “What is a good way of starting… to help you understand at least the first hour trading?… Between 9:30 and 10:30, that first hour’s dealing range…”

  • ICT 2026 Futures Weekend Review \ April 11, 2026

    ICT 2026 Futures Weekend Review \ April 11, 2026

    https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=RY67bW2UhxY

    Summary:

    – Topic and purpose: ICT explains when and why they toggle the continuous contract setting (vs. the front-month/delivery contract) when analyzing micro E-mini Nasdaq (MNQ) futures, and demonstrates how they use it to find useful price structure.

    – Continuous vs front-month: Continuous contracts smooth historical data across rollovers and reveal different price levels. The front-month can be spotty farther back; continuous lets you compare historical imbalances and measure market strength by seeing which levels price actually respects.

    – What they look for: The speaker uses the continuous-contract toggle specifically to reveal volume imbalances / “suspension blocks” (not merely to find fair value gaps). Comparing the imbalances on both views helps pick the most relevant PD arrays, breakers, half-gaps (consequent encroachment), octants/quadrants and targets.

    – Practical trading rules emphasized:
    – Prioritize low-hanging fruit objectives (smaller, more probable targets) over chasing large moves.
    – Use the first hour of regular trading (9:30–10:30) and opening-range gaps (half-gap/consequent encroachment) as a primary bias tool—these give strong statistical edges.
    – Monitor bodies vs. wicks: bodies respecting/avoiding levels indicate strength/weakness; wicks often represent the “first presented fair value gap.”
    – Compare continuous and front-month levels to assess how much effort/energy a run will require.

    – Market context and mindset: The speaker is skeptical of fundamental narratives and stresses focusing on price and time (algorithmic behavior). Markets are complex and sometimes manipulated; traders should conserve risk, use stops, and lower expectations in difficult regimes.

    – Teaching & practice plans: The speaker will continue live-streaming, teach journaling and concrete order-entry practice (limit and stop placements) to desensitize traders and help build repeatable models. Students should practice the first-hour framework, collect data, and commit to learning rather than chasing quick wins.

    – Tone and stance: The speaker is direct and insistent—urging discipline, focused practice, and to adopt the described price-reading methods rather than indicators or gimmicks.

  • ICT 2026 Tape-Reading Opening Range \ April 10, 2026

    ICT 2026 Tape-Reading Opening Range \ April 10, 2026

    https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Hiq47zliJ_Y

    Summary:

    – Market read: After the CPI print, price stalled short of a key opening-range/gap level. The speaker sees bearish bias — CPI low intact, multiple sell-side liquidity pools, fair-value-gap/inefficiency setups, and SMT divergence (indices not in agreement). Because the averages are decoupled (NQ strength, Dow weakness), probability and clarity are reduced, so he is unwilling to chase longs; he’s watching for accelerations lower to take out CPI lows and other liquidity below.

    – Trading notes: He described accumulation, slippage on an exit, and specific levels to watch (opening-range gap midpoints, rejection/inversion blocks, and daily suspension block). Liquidity sweeps and fair-value-gap behavior are key signals; if price trades cleanly through the upside rejection block, he’ll stand down and re-evaluate later (possibly at lunchtime or PM session).

    – Personal incident: While dropping his son off he was nearly sideswiped by a driver who then drew a gun on him. He drove away safely, may check dashcam footage and file a brandishing report. Lesson learned: be cautious and prepared.

    – Conclusion: Market action was messy and not worth trading for him on that Friday; he’ll end the session, post a review later, host a weekend Twitter Space, and wishes viewers a safe weekend.

  • ICT 2026 Tape-Reading Opening Range \ April 10, 2026

    ICT 2026 Tape-Reading Opening Range \ April 10, 2026

    https://youtu.be/Hiq47zliJ_Y

    Summary:

    – Market recap: The CPI print was weak and price failed to reach a key daily suspension/block level. The speaker is watching several technical levels — opening-range gap, fair value gaps (FVGs), liquidity sweeps, and rejection/inversion zones — with a bias toward lower prices if certain lows (including the CPI low and midpoint of the opening-range gap) are taken out.

    – Technical observations: There’s SMT divergence between the three major averages (ES, NQ, Dow), making price action messy and lowering conviction. ICT refuses to chase longs into a decoupled rally and would prefer to see clean accelerations into sell-side liquidity to confirm downside moves.

    – Trade note: He accumulated size into an inversion/fair-value gap, added on retracements, and suffered slippage on an exit near 325. He would lose interest in morning trading if key rejection blocks hold; might look for a lunch or PM session move instead.

    – Teaching point: For newer traders, decoupling across indexes complicates market structure and requires caution; high-probability setups rely on agreement among averages and clear one-sidedness.

    – Personal incident: While dropping his son off, an aggressive driver confronted him, pulled a gun, then lowered it and called someone. He drove away for safety and may file a report if dashcam evidence exists. Lesson: avoid confrontation and stay safe.

    – Wrap-up: He’s ending the live session due to lack of meaningful price action, will post a review later, and plans a Twitter space on Saturday. Wishes viewers a safe, relaxing weekend.

    Quiz

    1) What was ICT’s main concern about the market direction after the CPI reading?
    – A. He was looking to chase the market higher
    – B. He expected a guaranteed rally into the close
    – C. He was watching for possible downside liquidity to be taken
    – D. He believed the market had become completely untradeable

    2) How did ICT describe the condition of the three major averages during the session?
    – A. They were all perfectly aligned
    – B. They were decoupled and not in agreement
    – C. They were all making new highs together
    – D. They were all closed for the session

    Answer Key with Evidence

    1) C. He was watching for possible downside liquidity to be taken.
    Evidence: “I’m just saying that it could go down here and take that liquidity. This morning, I’ll be watching for that.”

    2) B. They were decoupled and not in agreement.
    Evidence: “So, already we can see some decoupling. Okay, decoupling is when the averages do not agree.”
    Evidence: “You can see clearly this is what decoupling looks like, okay?”

  • ICT 2026 Tape-Reading Opening Range \ April 10, 2026

    ICT 2026 Tape-Reading Opening Range \ April 10, 2026

    https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Hiq47zliJ_Y

    Summary:

    – ICT reviews the morning market: the CPI print was weaker than expected and price ran up but failed to reach a key lower quadrant/opening-range level. They’re watching opening-range gap, fair value gaps, and sell-side liquidity levels—preferring short bias and looking for the CPI low and other lows to be taken out before committing further.
    – There is decoupling/divergence between the three averages (ES, NQ, Dow), which reduces trading reliability and makes the session messy; the speaker is unwilling to chase longs on that basis, especially on a Friday.
    – They describe their own intraday activity: accumulated positions into an inversion, suffered slippage exiting around 325, and lost interest in further morning trades unless price decisively trades through key levels. They may re-engage at lunch or in the PM session if structure clarifies.
    – The speaker rebuts the idea that liquidity sweeps don’t exist, pointing to intraday sweeps they observed.
    – Personal incident: someone on X threatened them earlier; then this morning a driver aggressively confronted them in traffic and pointed a gun. ICT drove away, may check the Highlander dashcam and file a brandishing report with police if evidence exists, and warns others to avoid escalating confrontations.
    – Closing: the session is called early due to unclear price action; the speaker will post a review later and host a weekend discussion, and wishes viewers a safe weekend.

  • ICT 2026 Market Review \ April 08, 2026

    ICT 2026 Market Review \ April 08, 2026

    https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3Uu2IB6kI28

    Summary:

    – Quick 15-minute review of Micro Nasdaq (MNQ); refer to this morning’s full live stream for background. Host may be off tomorrow depending on personal plans.

    – Market opened with a large regular-trading-hours opening-range gap (RTHORG) driven by headlines. Price ran up into the daily suspension block area, then rolled over and hit the speaker’s target: the low of the daily suspension block.

    – Key technical read: a 9:30–9:31 fair-value gap formed. The presenter emphasizes the rule that candlestick bodies failing to trade into key levels (wicks may touch but bodies do not) is a bearish signature used to anticipate further decline. Price retraced into the lower part of the daily suspension block but failed to reach the upper half/octant—another bearish sign—so the bias remains down toward consequent encroachment unless price behavior changes.

    – Caveat: geopolitical developments (missiles/ceasefire reports) can produce volatile overnight/Asian-session moves; the 6:00 (Asia open) price will determine the next actionable bias.

    – Trading advice: use less leverage, avoid overtrading, seek confluence, be nimble and accept partial moves.

    – Logistics: may post an update around 7:30 on X; otherwise family plans come first.

  • ICT 2026 OR Tape-reading \ April 08, 2026

    ICT 2026 OR Tape-reading \ April 08, 2026

    https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=yqBvOeOKcBM

    Summary:

    – Market setup: ICT is watching the micro Nasdaq this morning after a large premium opening-range gap. The primary technical focus is a daily “suspension block” (shaded box) and its lower quadrant — the low of that box is the main target. There is notable sell-side liquidity below current price and minor buy-side above; a break below the block should show range expansion and commitment to the downside.

    – Trade plan & risk management: No trade advice is being given, but the presenter would run a very small position (e.g., one contract), take partial profits at predefined targets, protect the stop (move to sidelines if stops are threatened), and avoid letting stops be challenged. Expect retracements to remain within the lower quadrant if the drop is genuine.

    – Tape-reading & technique: Emphasizes simple tape-reading — watching 1-minute candles (open/high/low/close and bodies) and liquidity — rather than complicated tools (footprint, volume profile, Elliott, etc.). Record your screen/price action, study live candles, and annotate levels.

    – Practice & mindset: Recommend at least 6–8 weeks of disciplined practice/paper trading, journaling emotional triggers and KPIs, and focusing on a minimal set of reliable rules. Guard capital, avoid overtrading or social-media noise, and cultivate emotional balance (stay humble, avoid arrogance). Slow, repeatable practice beats shortcuts.

    – Final point: Keep setups simple, know where price is likely to draw to, protect capital, and commit to consistent, patient skill development.

    Quiz

    1. What did ICT say was the most important thing for a developing student to learn first?
    A. Using footprint charts and order flow tools
    B. Finding the likely directional draw
    C. Trading every candlestick reversal
    D. Predicting FOMC reaction with news

    2. What did ICT recommend doing before attempting live trading?
    A. Paper trade for a minimum of 6 to 8 weeks after consistent study
    B. Trade live immediately to build confidence
    C. Use market replay only and skip screen recording
    D. Focus on social media performance reports

    Answer Key:

    1. B
    Evidence: “the primary function for you as a developing student is simply getting accustomed to determining the draw. That’s the first rule of engagement” and “know where it’s likely to go to.” No timestamp available.

    2. A
    Evidence: “when that happens, and you have a a 2-month… 6 to 8 weeks… then… you can start paper trading. And spend a minimum 6 to 8 weeks doing that.” No timestamp available.

  • ICT 2026 OR Tape-reading \ April 08, 2026

    ICT 2026 OR Tape-reading \ April 08, 2026

    https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=yqBvOeOKcBM

    Summary:

    – ICT is live-streaming a morning Nasdaq (NQ) tape‑reading session and will ignore the FOMC minutes as likely uneventful.
    – Key technical focus: a large opening‑range premium gap, a daily “suspension block” with a consequent encroachment, and the low of a shaded box (daily suspension block lower quadrant) as the primary target for the morning.
    – Market context: price action has been influenced by noisy geopolitical headlines (Strait of Hormuz/ceasefire) and likely algorithmic/manipulative behavior; bodies avoiding a key line is read as bearish.
    – Intraday plan: watch for fills into sell‑side liquidity pools, prefer small position size (micro contracts), take partial profits, protect stops above the wick/encroachment, and only re‑enter cautiously if conditions remain clear.
    – Trading method: simple tape‑reading—focus on open/high/low/close, liquidity and price behavior on 1‑minute candles rather than complex indicators, footprint, or replay gimmicks.
    – Practice advice: record live sessions (e.g., OBS), study individual candles, journal expectations and emotional triggers, paper‑trade for a minimum 6–8 weeks to build consistent directional read skill.
    – Mindset emphasis: protect capital, be disciplined, avoid social‑media noise and overtrading, control fear and arrogance, and adopt slow, repeatable processes rather than seeking shortcuts.

    Quiz

    1. What did ICT say was the best way to learn tape reading?
    A. Use market replay only
    B. Trade multiple contracts immediately
    C. Watch live price action and record each candle
    D. Focus on footprint and level 2 data

    2. What did ICT say about when a trader should start paper trading?
    A. Immediately after watching one live session
    B. After becoming consistently accurate for 6 to 8 weeks
    C. Only after using market replay for a month
    D. Only after trading a live account successfully for a year

    Answer Key with Evidence

    1. C
    Evidence: “The fastest way you can do it. There is no faster shortcut than simply placing yourself in front in front of price action without any monetary concern”
    “You need to be able to watch the open, high, low, and close form real time.”
    “record your screen”

    2. B
    Evidence: “Any retracement needs to be kept at a a maximum of just the lower quadrant.”
    “If it trades down below it here intraday, I would not want to see it trade back to that halfway point.”
    “Anything climbing back above after we leave this sets the stage for a run for intraday high.”