Tag: ict

  • Beauty For Ashes | April 14, 2023

    Summary

    – Framing: The speaker opens with a personal, fatherly reflection about his children and mentoring traders — people naturally resist listening, learn by painful mistakes, and often repeat the same errors expecting different outcomes.

    – Core lesson about trading: Success depends on discipline, patience, and following a repeatable, rule-based model. Impulsive, gut-driven trades, chasing moves, and trading outside a tested approach lead to burned accounts, lost confidence, and long-term setbacks.

    – Practical guidance: Use time-based, probabilistic setups, wait for proper confirmations, trade during the right sessions, and apply strict risk management. He repeatedly advises trading one contract (or very small size) while learning so drawdowns remain manageable and mistakes are recoverable.

    – Warnings about funded-account “combines”: These programs often impose very tight drawdowns and restrictive rules (e.g., closing times, maximum daily percentages). They incentivize over‑leverage and resets (small fees repeated), which statistically squeeze inexperienced traders and profit the companies. If you use them, keep leverage low and treat them cautiously.

    – Learning pathway: Paper trade and demo like a surgeon uses cadavers — learn safely, backtest, and be “bored” with demo results for months before risking real money. He recommends his 2022 model video series as a complete, practical starter for building a repeatable method.

    – Personal/industry context: He shares frustration watching his son repeat impulsive mistakes in a funded account, and expresses concern about social-media toxicity, content theft, and platform censorship. He plans to leave Twitter in November and to use SoundCloud for broader, non-trading commentary.

    – Final counsel: Don’t make trading a spectacle or shortcut it for quick wins. Recalibrate impulsiveness into persistence focused on a working model; accept small losses, learn, and rebuild — only then will you turn your “ashes” (past failures) into lasting progress.

    Quiz

    1) According to ICT, the markets are best described as:
    A. A toy store
    B. War
    C. A video game
    D. A playground

    2) What does ICT repeatedly recommend when trading funded-account challenges?
    A. Trade as many contracts as allowed
    B. Trade only during after-hours
    C. Trade one contract
    D. Ignore risk management

    3) ICT attributes repeated account blow-ups primarily to:
    A. Faulty brokers
    B. Lack of a rule-based model and impatience/impulsiveness
    C. Low market liquidity
    D. Bad news events

    4) ICT’s characterization of many funded-account companies is that they:
    A. Help new traders become instantly profitable
    B. Provide real brokerage services with wide drawdown allowances
    C. Exist to fleece traders by encouraging resets and overleverage
    D. Are the safest path to trading freedom

    5) ICT emphasizes trading during certain times because:
    A. Price action provides precision only in specific time windows and narrative periods
    B. The market behaves the same every hour of the day
    C. You should trade 24/7 to catch every move
    D. Time of day doesn’t matter if you use many contracts

    Answer Key with evidence:

    1) Correct: B
    Evidence: “the markets are not a toy store… it’s not a video game… it’s not a game at all it’s War” (timestamps: 0:05:16.380–0:05:34.080)

    2) Correct: C
    Evidence: “one contract is all you need to do” / “one contract” (timestamps: 0:57:32.640–0:57:40.099 and 1:04:21.839–1:04:28.619)
    Additional supporting lines: “if you just trade with one contract you’ll never break their rules and you’ll make money” (timestamp: 0:43:05.099–0:43:14.180)

    3) Correct: B
    Evidence: “no model at all… no patience… you just Forge ahead… and in the process you burn your account” (timestamps: 0:05:41.699–0:06:05.840) and “that’s a discipline issue” (timestamps: 0:09:15.180–0:09:25.320)

    4) Correct: C
    Evidence: “they exist to fleece you… they already know the statistical probabilities are you’re going to fail” (timestamps: 0:33:34.320–0:34:00.299) and “you’ll pay that 99 dollars… reset reset reset” (timestamps: 0:38:35.700–0:38:47.040 and 0:40:55.800–0:41:03.320)

    5) Correct: A
    Evidence: “I can only trade this pattern and set up in between this time frame this beginning and ending window… you don’t trade 15 hours after that” (timestamps: 0:18:28.440–0:18:46.559) and “The Narrative is when we go into New York session during this period I’m looking for the algorithm to do a specific thing… it’s time-based” (timestamps: 1:23:18.900–1:23:36.060)

  • Tin Foil & Yarn… | March 30, 2023

    Summary:

    – Housekeeping: He asks listeners not to upload the “tinfoil hat” portion of this discussion to YouTube. He’s fine with other content being shared, but will remove that segment if posted. He’ll be observing Passover and pausing live trading commentary until around April 10–11; the next live stream will start at 9:45 AM (10–11am session focus).

    – Market recap: The morning session was choppy and unsatisfying but produced identifiable short-term structure (an intermediate high and subsequent move toward outlined objectives). He highlighted how specific confluences (SMT divergence, fair-value gaps, new week opening gap, etc.) guided the read.

    – Core trading lesson: Learn to recognize high-probability conditions—specifically “low-resistance liquidity runs” (clean, fast, forgiving moves that offer multiple entry points and pyramid opportunities) versus “high-resistance liquidity runs” (choppy, two-sided, slow moves that are emotionally draining and hard to trade). Favor the former and avoid or reduce risk in the latter.

    – Practical advice:
    – Lower your expectations on choppy days and don’t force trades. Observation, tape reading, and patience often beat pushing the button.
    – Only trade when clear, one-sided market conditions and multiple confluences align.
    – Avoid over-leveraging and revenge/compulsive trading during messy markets; gaining “scar tissue” from repeated avoidable mistakes makes learning harder.
    – Study repeated price-action examples to condition your recognition of fair-value gaps, PD arrays, and timing (NY morning 10–11 often creates tradable structure).

    – Personal notes: He uses anecdotes about teaching his sons to illustrate why students repeat poor habits if they won’t follow consistent, simple rules. He stresses humility, discipline, and learning from experience rather than trying to impose your will on the market.

    Overall message: Be selective—trade only in clear, one-sided conditions supported by confluences; when markets are muddy, observe and preserve capital and psychology.

    Quiz

    1. What does ICT ask viewers not to upload to YouTube?
    A. Trading psychology discussion
    B. The tinfoil hat discussion portion
    C. All live streams
    D. Passover comments

    2. Why does ICT say he is not doing market discussions until April 10th?
    A. He is traveling overseas
    B. He is observing Passover and taking time to be with the Lord
    C. He is closing his trading business
    D. He is switching to Forex only

    3. What kind of market condition does ICT say traders should look for?
    A. High resistance liquidity runs
    B. Low resistance liquidity runs
    C. Random breakout spikes
    D. High-frequency scalping conditions

    Answer Key with Evidence

    1. B. The tinfoil hat discussion portion
    Evidence: “when I say we’re in a tinfoil hat discussion do me a favor… don’t put that portion up I don’t want this stuff on YouTube okay” (0:00:12.900–0:00:27.480)

    2. B. He is observing Passover and taking time to be with the Lord
    Evidence: “I’ll be observing Passover no I’m not a Jew but I Christian and I… I’m just simply taking some time to be with the Lord and that’s what I’ll be doing” (0:01:06.420–0:01:34.880)

    3. B. Low resistance liquidity runs
    Evidence: “High Resistance liquidity runs is what you’re trying to observe and learn how to spot so you don’t have to go in there and trade them” and “Low Resistance liquidity runs is what you’re trying to get good at spotting anticipating expecting and engaging” (0:18:37.440–0:18:55.980)

  • Until The Breaks Fall Off… | March 25, 2023

    This is a long coaching talk using a recent example of the speaker’s 18‑year‑old son to teach trading psychology, risk management and practical routines. Key points:

    – Story: the son passed a funded‑account combine, made an early small win, then became overconfident and kept trading recklessly without the mentor present. Small incremental losses erased gains and produced a drawdown (around $3–4k), forcing a pause by the funded‑account rules. Father will coach him back to consistency.

    – Core lesson: most damaging trading errors are self‑inflicted. Impulsiveness, wanting to “get it back,” chasing targets, trading for clout/leaderboards, and over‑leveraging are the usual culprits — not the market, broker, or mentor.

    – Emotions & physiology: cortisol and adrenaline distort perception, create a false sense of emergency, and lead to reckless decisions. When emotional, traders should step away (30+ minutes), turn off charts/social media, and reset.

    – Recovery mindset and process:
    – Accept responsibility, avoid blaming external factors.
    – Give yourself time; set a reasonable recovery horizon (e.g., weeks) to remove urgency.
    – Use incremental goals (modular steps) rather than trying to “YOLO” back to an equity high.
    – Journal candidly: record the emotional/mental catalysts for each trade, not just technicals.

    – Practical risk-management rules:
    – Don’t trade live funded accounts until you’re emotionally neutral and consistently disciplined in demo.
    – Never trade under intoxication or with impaired judgment.
    – Use stops, partial exits, and risk limits; pay yourself on reliable moves rather than insisting on full targets.
    – Don’t watch P&L constantly — watch price behavior and structural signals instead.

    – A repeatable setup (a “silver bullet”): watch for fair value gaps and liquidity runs between about 10:00–11:00 AM New York time on short intraday frames (1m/30s/15s); these often deliver reliable small runs (e.g., 5 handles).

    – Teaching philosophy: progressive learning — start small, take partials, build confidence and strike rate over time (aim for high probability setups and a high strike rate, not gambler’s swings). The mentor stresses demo practice and controlled forward testing.

    – Community and conduct: ignore trolls and performative mentors who push reckless ideas; focus on process and proven execution. The speaker defends using demo accounts for teaching and values demonstrable student results.

    – Personal note: the speaker will prioritize coaching his son for the next days, encourages students to step back when needed, take care of their health, and focus on long‑term disciplined growth rather than short‑term ego wins.

    Bottom line: trading failures typically come from psychological and behavioral errors. Build processes that force discipline (journals, time buffers, partials, stop rules), trade high‑probability setups, and treat drawdown as a solvable, incremental problem rather than an emergency.

    Quiz

    1. According to ICT, what is the main reason traders fail when they get into drawdown?
    A. The market stops being predictable
    B. They become emotionally and psychologically unstable
    C. Their broker changes the rules
    D. Their charts stop working

    2. What did ICT say his son should have done after making the first profitable trade of the morning?
    A. Increased his position size
    B. Kept trading until the combine was passed
    C. Stopped and not done anything else
    D. Switched to a different market

    3. What time window did ICT identify as the time to find the “silver bullet” setup?
    A. 8:00 to 9:00 AM New York time
    B. 9:30 to 10:00 AM New York time
    C. 10:00 to 11:00 AM New York time
    D. 1:00 to 2:00 PM New York time

    4. What did ICT say a trader should do immediately after taking a losing trade?
    A. Double the next trade size
    B. Close all positions, remove orders, and step away for at least 30 minutes
    C. Keep trading to recover quickly
    D. Switch to a different instrument immediately

    5. What did ICT recommend using to manage drawdown and reduce impulsive trading?
    A. A larger leverage ratio
    B. A live stream accountability group
    C. A journal and a patient, incremental recovery plan
    D. A paid signal service

    Answer key with evidence:

    1. B. They become emotionally and psychologically unstable
    Evidence: “drawdown losing trades has caused you to doubt yourself” and “the toxic thinking… you tend to do what you tend to avoid following the rules” and “it’s the operator that’s drunk” (around 2:10:38 to 2:12:12)

    2. C. Stopped and not done anything else
    Evidence: “you had what would have been the largest win… you should have stopped right then and there didn’t do anything else why did you go back in” (around 0:10:32 to 0:10:43)

    3. C. 10:00 to 11:00 AM New York time
    Evidence: “between 10 o’clock and 11 o’clock in the morning New York local time you will find a fair value Gap that will deliver five handles every day guaranteed” (around 2:00:14 to 2:00:38)

    4. B. Close all positions, remove orders, and step away for at least 30 minutes
    Evidence: “close all positions remove all orders turn the charts off” and “stop get up walk away 30 minutes minimum” (around 0:30:06 to 0:30:18 and 1:04:14 to 1:04:29)

    5. C. A journal and a patient, incremental recovery plan
    Evidence: “you have to physically write these things out” and “you have to keep yourself accountable… through your journal” and “give yourself four weeks to fix that” (around 1:41:37 to 1:42:18 and 1:48:41 to 1:49:06)

  • Unfolding Truths | March 23, 2023

    Summary:

    – Teaching approach and mindset
    – The instructor provides many tools (PD arrays: fair value gaps, order blocks, breakers, mitigation blocks, imbalances) but not every tool applies in every market, timeframe, or trader’s model. Students should adopt what resonates and practice until it becomes automatic.
    – Live demonstrations are used to show the concepts in real time so students can observe repetition and build confidence—anticipation, not reaction, is the goal.

    – Market structure, liquidity and directional bias
    – Price is not random: markets seek visible liquidity (buy stops above highs, sell stops below lows) and also reprice inefficiencies (fair value gaps, liquidity voids). Recognize whether moves are toward liquidity, toward inefficiency, or consolidation.
    – Time matters: certain intraday “macro” windows tend to produce repeatable signatures (examples given: ~9:50–10:10, ~10:50–11:10, 3:15–3:45 and the final hour). Use time + liquidity + inefficiency to form bias.

    – Practical trade execution and management
    – Pyramiding and entries: multiple entries are shown so traders can choose a single entry method that fits their risk profile. Examples are educational—don’t focus only on dollar returns.
    – Accept slippage, re-quotes and imperfect fills; use stops and manage risk. If the price narrative changes (three failed thresholds, premium arrays forming), abort or adjust—experience teaches when to cut losses.
    – Start small when moving to real money; demo practice should be disciplined (timing drills, low drawdown entries) not demo “flex” overleveraging.

    – Psychology, journaling and discipline
    – Keep a trading journal that records observations and emotional state. Positive, factual journaling conditions the brain; negative self-talk poisons future trades.
    – Avoid revenge trading, chasing, and trading to feel better after personal stress. Plan trades, write the plan, trade the plan. Build patience and desensitization to equity swings.

    – Life, relationships and money management
    – Treat trading like a business: incorporate, manage taxes, consider insurance/umbrella policies, and protect wealth. Use professional advice (accountant) for structure (LLC, S-corp, family management).
    – Don’t let family or partners make intra-trade decisions. Keep trading operations separate (CEO approach) and discuss results/allocations at agreed times (e.g., year-end), to avoid emotional interference and relationship stress.
    – Have hobbies and life outside trading to avoid obsession and impulsive behavior. Be mindful that new money can create problems if not managed.

    – Mentoring, expectations and timeline
    – Mastery takes years; many students become consistently profitable only after long, disciplined practice. Low-hanging objectives (small consistent targets) compound into large gains.
    – The mentor emphasizes showing the process live to produce “epiphanies” for students—seeing the pattern repeatedly is how learning converts to confidence and skill.

    – Personal notes (illustrative)
    – The speaker shares personal anecdotes (teaching his sons, near-family issues) to illustrate the human side: ego, impulse control, parenting and how trading success should be balanced with family responsibilities.

    Bottom line: learn to read price (liquidity, inefficiency, order-flow context) at specific times, practice disciplined entry and risk management, journal and control emotions, treat trading like a business, be patient—these combined produce consistent, scalable results.

    Quiz

    1. According to ICT, what is the main reason many traders struggle when they try to use every tool and concept he teaches?
    A. Because the tools only work in crypto markets
    B. Because not all tools are applicable at all times and not every tool resonates with every trader
    C. Because the market only respects indicators
    D. Because traders should use every tool simultaneously

    2. What did ICT say about revenge trading?
    A. It is the same as using one smaller entry
    B. It means entering only after a stop loss is moved
    C. It means doing the same amount or more contracts after getting stopped out
    D. It is a required part of pyramiding

    3. What did ICT say about journaling your trades and feelings?
    A. It is only useful for tax records
    B. It should be used to complain about bad market conditions
    C. It should record positive self-talk and objective observations to build confidence and discipline
    D. It is unnecessary if you have a strong strategy

    4. What did ICT say about trading with a spouse or partner involved in the decision-making process?
    A. It is best to invite them into every trade decision
    B. It usually causes divided minds and can create toxicity, so the trader should run it as a business and keep the spouse out of the decision-making during operations
    C. It guarantees better risk management
    D. It is only a problem for new traders, not experienced ones

    Answer key:
    1. B
    Evidence: “not all of them are applicable” and “not all of the tools that I Implement and teach and present to all of you are going to be useful to all of you” and “they won’t resonate with you” [around 0:01:24 to 0:02:06]

    2. C
    Evidence: “Revenge trading would have been doing the same amount or not that but more contracts going long and reversing” [around 0:15:44 to 0:16:02]

    3. C
    Evidence: “you’re recording the perspective that that you knew it was going to happen and you’re tricking your brain with positive self-talk” and “your Journal Is Your Love Letter to yourself” [around 1:10:00 to 1:10:08 and 1:18:46 to 1:18:58]

    4. B
    Evidence: “two minds in this is toxic” and “your spouse is your spouse… they’re not your CEO they’re not your boss this is your trading business” and “during the business operations she’s not invited and he’s not invited” [around 3:09:37 to 3:10:00 and 3:18:16 to 3:20:21]

  • When Being “Right” Is No Longer Enough | March 17, 2023

    Summary — “When being right is no longer enough”

    – Main idea: Trading success comes from a consistent, rule-based process and risk control — not from repeatedly “being right.” True readiness for live trading is when you’re indifferent to individual outcomes and focused on following a proven model.

    – Mindset and process: Build the analyst inside you through backtesting, tape-reading, demo trading and walk-forwards. Trade only when your timing, selection and bias align; treat each entry as a controlled experiment, not a scorecard.

    – Risk management is primary: Never risk too much (suggestion: ≤1% per trade). Overleverage creates anxiety, poor decisions and account blow-ups. Start with the smallest real-money size you can tolerate and scale up slowly as you become “bored” with the outcome.

    – Practical rule when anxious or “in trouble waters”: remove risk — take half the position off (or close if you can’t partial), move the stop to better-than-break-even, then walk away for at least 10 minutes to let adrenaline/cortisol dissipate. This preserves capital and mental clarity.

    – Partials work: Taking partial profits protects equity and lets you be “wrong” but profitable. This is how you graduate to holding larger runners later.

    – Predicting vs reacting: Good traders anticipate where price will go (liquidity, old highs/lows, fair value gaps, time-of-day) rather than mindless knee-jerk “reacting.” Reading price action is effectively predicting the likely path.

    – Execution habits: Write a plan for each trade (targets, partials, stop rules). Follow SOPs rather than impulses; let the trained analyst guide decisions instead of the gambler or retail emotional voice.

    – Emotional management: Recognize physical signs of panic (rapid breathing, palpitations, tingling). Use breathing/physical activity and the partial-close rule to reset. Don’t broadcast or ruminate on losses — journaling and disciplined self-talk help.

    – Avoid noise: Ignore opinionated influencers who give no proof. Focus on learning models that produce repeatable results and on your own recorded, live practice.

    – Long-term aim: Move from pursuing “being right” to pursuing excellence — precision in execution, risk control, consistency and continual refinement of your craft. Over time, disciplined process yields profitable outcomes as a byproduct.

    Quiz

    1. According to ICT, when is a trader likely ready to start trading with live funds or a funded account?
    A. When they can predict every candle perfectly
    B. When they are no longer chasing being right and can read price action consistently
    C. When they double their demo account in one week
    D. When they can trade only during news events

    2. What does ICT say should happen if a trader enters a trade and then realizes it is no longer a viable setup?
    A. Add more size to recover quickly
    B. Hold until the trade returns to entry
    C. Abort or close the trade and accept the result
    D. Move the stop farther away and wait

    3. In a live trade, what is ICT’s recommended response when a trader feels anxious, disoriented, or uncertain?
    A. Keep watching and hope the trade comes back
    B. Take half the trade off, or close it if partials are not possible
    C. Open a second trade in the same direction
    D. Ignore the feeling and increase leverage

    4. What does ICT say is the main difference between a developing trader and a consistently profitable trader?
    A. The profitable trader is always right
    B. The profitable trader never uses stop losses
    C. The profitable trader is not holding their career hostage to one trade’s outcome
    D. The profitable trader only trades one market

    5. What does ICT identify as the clearest indication that a trader is overleveraging?
    A. Trading only in demo accounts
    B. Feeling stressed, unable to hold the trade, and questioning whether to get out
    C. Taking partial profits too early
    D. Using a written trade plan

    Answer key with evidence

    1. B
    Evidence: “when you’re able to read price action and you’re gonna see it and anticipate it and know what’s likely to occur next and it happens most times and you’re doing it consistently” [0:01:23.580-0:01:35.100] and “when you are no longer… influenced about pursuing being right” [0:01:54.299-0:02:05.040]

    2. C
    Evidence: “you do what is appropriate you abort the trade you turn it off close it it’s done whatever loss whatever result you accept it” [0:03:25.500-0:03:41.580]

    3. B
    Evidence: “the answer to that is take half off” [0:34:40.500-0:34:48.839] and “if you can’t do a half, then you close the trade” [0:35:51.000-0:35:57.320]

    4. C
    Evidence: “our Endeavor is to be consistent” [0:04:38.220-0:04:43.139] and “they’re not holding their entire career help by the results of that one transaction” [0:11:11.519-0:11:15.000]

    5. B
    Evidence: “if your trades are stressful you’re trading too big your risk is too much” [0:50:01.560-0:50:11.700] and “if it’s hard for you to hold a trade and you’re questioning whether you should get out that is always a factor with over leveraging” [2:02:38.880-2:02:49.800]

  • The Culling… | March 10, 2023

    Summary — key points and takeaways

    – Context: Mentor’s weekly talk about trading, market events, and mindset following a volatile week (non-farm payrolls and a major bank failure).

    – Macro risk warning: Recent bank trouble highlights real counterparty and liquidity risks (FDIC limits/delays). Expect market turmoil, potential bank runs, capital controls and accelerating moves toward central bank digital currencies — prepare accordingly.

    – Trade timing: Avoid or be extremely cautious trading around high‑impact events (NFP, FOMC, CPI). Thursdays/Fridays and payroll weeks can be disrupted by human intervention; the first 30 minutes of the session often set critical levels.

    – Skill building over shortcuts: Learn to read price, market structure, gaps and fair value gaps. Practice incrementally (journal, backtest, demo) until you can execute consistently.

    – Process and risk management: Treat trading like a business — a repeatable process, disciplined risk and money management, modest daily objectives (e.g., “five handles” in the ES) rather than seeking big, emotional wins.

    – Psychology is central: Replace negative self-talk with constructive affirmations; guard against FOMO, overconfidence, and emotionally charged trading. Losses are normal — how you respond (stop, journal, reinforce discipline) matters.

    – Practical training plan: Use demo/paper trading and repeated baseline exercises (drawdown then recover) to build experience and emotional resilience before using live capital.

    – Opportunity in adversity: Difficult markets will “cull” uninformed retail traders; those who train now can create a reliable secondary income or full replacement income and help others.

    – Community and mentoring: The speaker values student progress, live examples, interviews with real traders, and encourages active participation (chart screenshots, journaling) rather than passive consumption.

    – Tone and encouragement: Progress is incremental and sometimes boring — consistency beats excitement. Show up, do the work, and you’ll be prepared when market stress increases.

    Quiz

    1. According to ICT, what is one reason he avoids trading on Thursday and Friday during non-farm payroll week?
    A. Prices never move on those days
    B. There is too much intervention and disruption
    C. The market is closed
    D. He prefers only weekend trading

    2. What does ICT say is the main goal of learning to trade?
    A. To buy luxury cars
    B. To impress other traders
    C. To prepare yourself to live a better life and build another income stream
    D. To avoid all losses forever

    3. What does ICT say a winning trade should feel like?
    A. A life-changing event
    B. A participation award, nothing to emotionally charge
    C. A reason to increase risk immediately
    D. Proof that you should stop learning

    4. What does ICT say you should do if you have a losing trade and feel emotional?
    A. Double down right away
    B. Post about it on social media
    C. Stop trading, exercise discipline, and reset with positive self-talk
    D. Ignore it and keep trading the same size

    5. According to ICT, what is the “superpower” traders are developing?
    A. Predicting the news
    B. Writing your own checks and controlling your own income
    C. Never needing to study charts again
    D. Finding the perfect indicator

    Answer Key with Evidence

    1. B. There is too much intervention and disruption
    Evidence: “I don’t like to trade on Thursday and I don’t like to trade on the Friday” and “there’s too much intervention there’s too much hand in the in the cookie jar moving things around” (around 0:01:02 to 0:34:48)

    2. C. To prepare yourself to live a better life and build another income stream
    Evidence: “why are you learning how to do this trading thing to prepare yourself to live a better life” and “to potentially Harvest a potential secondary income” (around 0:03:00 to 0:05:00)

    3. B. A participation award, nothing to emotionally charge
    Evidence: “every one of your trades you win needs to be simply that it’s a participation award” and “you do not champion a winning trade” (around 1:26:23 to 1:27:17)

    4. C. Stop trading, exercise discipline, and reset with positive self-talk
    Evidence: “I’m going to stop here and before I lose control of myself I’m going to exercise discipline” and “replace it with something positive” (around 1:02:06 to 1:02:53)

    5. B. Writing your own checks and controlling your own income
    Evidence: “what’s the superpower by the way what is this superpower the ability to write your own checks” (around 0:27:53 to 0:28:02)

  • Through The Looking Glass | February 25, 2023

    Summary:

    – ICT opens with a personal confession: he uses live sessions as therapy, struggles with bipolar mood swings and impulsiveness, and is trying to condition himself to behave more consistently in public while continuing to mentor traders.

    – Purpose: he’s offering free, live, practical mentorship to teach students how to read price and “predict” likely market moves by studying real-time price structure, not relying on generic indicators or get-rich promises.

    – Teaching approach and proof: he emphasizes showing concepts live (tweets, spaces, streams) so students can witness forecasts unfold (“through the looking glass”). He claims high consistency and gives students real examples and evidence rather than abstract theory.

    – Core trading concepts taught: PD arrays (fair value gaps, breakers, order blocks), market-maker accumulation/distribution models, liquidity runs, tape-reading and multi-timeframe context. He stresses understanding why price moves, not just entry patterns.

    – Practical training plan: start small and build confidence — use a $10k demo and one mini contract; aim for small, repeatable targets (five-handle moves, content with three) to condition judgment and emotional control; practice backtesting by observing past price action and logging outcomes.

    – Risk management & psychology: respect risk (position size, stops, partials), avoid overleveraging and impulsive “last-trade” gambling, accept losses as part of the process, and develop coping mechanisms for performance anxiety and emotional biases.

    – Warnings about the industry: be skeptical of gurus, flashy “get-rich-quick” pitches, algorithm-box sellers and signal services. Many public streamers lack repeatable evidence; don’t take social-media noise as a trading journal or guidance.

    – Career/money advice: don’t quit your job too soon; build capital and a cushion (suggestions like $100k+ for trading capital) before relying solely on trading income. Use funded accounts cautiously — skill and capital matters.

    – Community and plans: he’s inundated with students wanting interviews; plans to run weekly student interviews to showcase real results and routines. He encourages disciplined study, daily backtesting/observation, and owning a single PD array that fits your personality.

    – Final message: learning to trade is hard, slow, and personal. Do the work (study charts, journal, backtest, practice small trades), be patient, ignore trolls, and adopt the practical, repeatable habits he teaches to become consistently profitable.

    Quiz

    1) According to ICT, what should a new trader focus on first?
    A. Finding the best news headlines
    B. Learning one setup and conditioning themselves with it
    C. Trading as many markets as possible
    D. Copying other traders’ exact entries

    2) What target does ICT recommend for developing traders to start with?
    A. 1 handle
    B. 3 handles
    C. 5 handles
    D. 20 handles

    3) Why does ICT say traders should study old price data and back test?
    A. To memorize every historical candle
    B. To prove the market is random
    C. To build familiarity with patterns and condition the eye to recognize them
    D. To find exact future news events

    4) What does ICT say about trying to quit your job too early after a big trading win?
    A. It is always the best move
    B. It is safe if you use funded accounts
    C. It is one of the worst mistakes because it adds pressure
    D. It makes you a professional trader immediately

    Answer Key:

    1) B Evidence: “all you need to be able to do is find one setup” and “what it is that your personality is best equipped for” (around 1:22:58–1:23:08 and 2:25:56–2:26:01)
    2) C Evidence: “five handles as a starting point I think is realistic” (around 2:37:59–2:38:06)
    3) C Evidence: “what you’re doing is you’re activating your particular reticular activating system” and “you’re looking through price and tell me what you see” (around 1:55:35–1:56:04)
    4) C Evidence: “quitting your job too quickly is one of the worst mistakes you’re gonna make” and “you’re going to play so much pressure” (around 2:45:37–2:45:46)

  • Market Review Cliff ::Notes Edition:: | February 23, 2023

    Summary:

    – Technical problem: The speaker lost live-stream audio during the euro/dollar segment and plans a follow-up recap (Shotgun Saturday) to cover missed one-liners and analysis.

    – Euro/dollar / Forex analysis: Emphasized the London and New York “killzone” behavior, a bearish breaker and a “Judas swing” that purged buy-side liquidity. Using a Fibonacci/standard-deviation method (SD -3) identifies expected daily lows; when those time and price references align (e.g., London close and SD target) the daily range is effectively formed.

    – Stock-index (E-mini S&P) analysis: Discussed fair value gaps, consequent encroachments, and intraday setups. Described a 1-minute / 15-minute / hourly template and how he used it live to call price behavior around the NY open (9:30), including a Judas swing, divergence between S&P/NDX, and a subsequent sell program. Walked through coaching his son live and execution/management lessons.

    – Trading process & setups: Teaches specific, repeatable setups (fair value gaps, order blocks, breakers, liquidity hunts). Advocates simple, repeatable rules: small positional sizing (one contract), tight risk (five-handle stop), trade the pattern that repeats daily rather than chasing large random runs.

    – Tools and pedagogy: Uses TradingView for shared charts but cautions about its lag and refuses to rely on indicator automation for everything — he draws and filters levels manually. Encourages students to study prerecorded core content and practice tape reading before risking live funds.

    – Demo vs live trading: Defends teaching in demo/paper accounts as the right way to learn price structure unemotionally. Warns that trading live too early brings outcome anxiety and ruins discipline; recommends mastering setups in demo/micros first and proper money management.

    – Market thesis: Argues markets are largely algorithmic/scripted—price is referred back to known levels and time windows (not purely random). Claims this explains recurring intraday patterns and precise deliveries to ticks; criticizes most retail indicators and popular “pattern” methods as misleading.

    – Criticism of industry/competitors: Dismisses many retail methods, indicator packages, and self-styled “market makers” as misunderstanding how price is delivered. Emphasizes evidence he provides by calling moves live and teaching students who reproduce results.

    – Practical advice & opportunity: Emphasizes building the skill set (tape reading, pattern recognition, risk control) rather than chasing gimmicks; suggests a realistic path to consistent returns by harvesting repeatable small wins and scaling only when disciplined.

    – Macro/personal warnings: Offers strong, personal views on geopolitical/financial risks — skepticism about crypto as an escape, concerns about Central Bank Digital Currencies and loss of privacy/control, and warnings of supply-chain and societal stress. Advises preparing household essentials (food, water, meds) and practical readiness.

    – Personal/contextual notes: The speaker is fatigued but committed to transparency; shares anecdotes about coaching his son, family, sleep habits, past calls (Bitcoin), and the intensity of his live teaching approach. He invites students to commit to a year of focused study and promises repeated, demonstrable evidence.

    Overall message: Focus on learning repeatable, evidence-backed market structures and risk management (demo-first, small size, tight stops). Markets show recurring, algorithm-driven patterns he teaches and proves live; mastering these can create consistent, scalable results — even amid larger macro uncertainty, where personal preparedness matters.

    Quiz

    1) What did ICT say about the purpose of the new week opening gap?
    A. It acts as a random chart drawing
    B. It is used to inspire large fund sentiment and fair value
    C. It only matters on weekly options
    D. It is unrelated to liquidity

    2) What stop-loss size did ICT repeatedly recommend for the setup he described?
    A. 1 handle
    B. 3 handles
    C. 5 handles
    D. 10 handles

    Answer Key:

    1) B Evidence: “it is utilized to inspire large fund sentiment… it’s going back to these levels because it is utilized to inspire large fund sentiment” (0:18:00–0:18:25)
    2) C Evidence: “you have to use a stop loss that’s no larger than five handles” (1:52:00–1:52:03)

  • How To Fail & Not Know It Until It’s Too Late | February 22, 2023

    Summary:

    ICT is giving a blunt lecture about discipline, patience, and how to learn tape reading properly.

    Key points:

    – Tape reading is for observation and learning, not for taking live, demo, paper, or funded trades. Do not “push the button” during these sessions.
    – Wait the first 30 minutes (the opening range). Use it to see which side (buy/sell) the market favors before forming a bias.
    – Focus on price action, reaction to levels (order blocks, fair value gaps, volume imbalances, PD arrays), and time windows. I point out moments for you to screenshot, study later, and log in your journal.
    – Journal and review screenshots privately; record observations and 50%/partial rules rather than trading impulsively. Positive self-talk and private review condition your subconscious to recognize real setups.
    – Avoid chasing quick wins, bragging on social media, or treating certificates/funded accounts as the end goal. Consistent, long-term profitability is the aim.
    – Emotional impulses, impatience, and ignoring instructions are the main reasons students fail. Trading to soothe feelings or impress others is destructive.
    – The “Jade master” story: submit to the process, build patience and familiarity with the market (the green rock analogy); experience teaches recognition.
    – The mentor is serious and frustrated: follow instructions, take notes, practice daily, and accept that progress is slow and repetitive; those who persist will learn, those who don’t will fail.

    Bottom line: slow down, observe, take notes, develop disciplined habits, and prioritize learning the process over immediate trades or social proof.

    QUIZ:

    1. What did ICT say the first 30 minutes of trading represent?
    A. The closing range
    B. The opening range
    C. The overnight gap
    D. The lunch session

    2. According to ICT, what should traders do during tape reading?
    A. Push the button when they see a fair value gap
    B. Place live trades immediately
    C. Observe price action and not trade
    D. Follow RSI and MACD signals

    3. What did ICT say about taking trade entries during the 9:30 to 10:00 time window?
    A. It is the safest time to enter
    B. It is always a guaranteed win
    C. It is gambling if you are pushing a trade entry
    D. It should be done only on funded accounts

    4. What did ICT say happens when three PD arrays fail?
    A. It confirms a strong long entry
    B. It likely goes the other direction
    C. It means the market is flat
    D. It proves the setup is invalid forever

    5. What does ICT say should be in a trader’s journal?
    A. Only winning trades
    B. Public screenshots for social media
    C. Positive self-talk and observations, kept private
    D. Predictions for the next month’s market

    Answer Key:


    1. B Evidence: “the first 30 minutes … that’s the opening range” *(around 0:05:01–0:05:13)*
    2. C Evidence: “what I’m teaching you to do is observe price action” and “don’t push the button” *(around 0:02:18–0:02:45)*
    3. C Evidence: “if you’re trying to push a trade entry within 9 30 to 10 o’clock you’re gambling” *(around 0:01:50–0:02:04)*
    4. B Evidence: “if three PD arrays fail that’s problematic on a bias or a directional view on price and it’s going to most likely go the other direction” *(around 0:32:32–0:32:51)*
    5. C Evidence: “in your Journal … you record those things you keep them personal private” and “you’re giving yourself positive self-talk” *(around 0:02:53–0:03:06 and 0:25:47–0:25:58)*

  • Market Wizardry & Everything Else | February 22, 2023

    Summary:

    – ICT recounts how early reading (Jack Schwager’s Market Wizards; especially Larry Williams) inspired a long search for genuine “market wizardry” rather than typical retail indicators and methods.
    – He explains his breakthrough: studying price action and reversing common retail assumptions to identify institutional footprints—concepts he names such as order blocks, breakers, mitigation blocks, fair value gaps and optimal trade entry.
    – ICT emphasizes precision and repeatability: using opening/weekly ranges, floor pivots, seasonal tendencies (citing Steve Moore), futures opening gaps and inter-/intra-market relationships to forecast where price will gravitate and to locate high-probability entry/exit levels.
    – He criticizes mainstream trading books, indicators and courses as often ambiguous or form-fitting, arguing they don’t reveal the algorithmic, institution-driven mechanics that actually move markets.
    – Practical advice: learn when NOT to trade; distinguish low-resistance (fast liquidity runs) from high-resistance environments; manage risk, position size and psychology to avoid blowing accounts; be patient with realistic expectations—mastery takes years.
    – Teaching approach and claims: he shares live, minute-by-minute examples as proof, offers free content rather than paid signal services, and says his methods give repeatable foresight though not instant superpowers for students.
    – Personal context: he describes obsessive, analytical study, a difficult upbringing, and bipolar challenges—framing his work ethic, willingness to teach, and warnings about social-media-driven ego/trading.
    – Tone and community: proud of a tight-knit following, confrontational toward trolls and competitors, and optimistic that those who study his methods will gain empowerment and consistent edge over retail approaches.

    Quiz

    1) According to ICT, what does a true “market wizard” look like?

    A. Someone who uses many indicators and can predict every market move
    B. Someone with precision, accuracy, foresight, and a higher strike rate than average
    C. Someone who takes very large risks and wins big on one trade
    D. Someone who only trades when moving averages agree

    2) What did ICT say he learned from Larry Williams’ work?

    A. That candlestick patterns are the best tool for every market
    B. That the best trades come from random entries
    C. That open interest, accumulation/distribution, commitment of traders, and premiums are useful tools
    D. That volume alone is enough to trade successfully

    3) Why does ICT say he reverses retail logic when analyzing price action?

    A. Because retail logic is always correct and should be followed exactly
    B. Because he wants to do the opposite of what retail traders are told to do
    C. Because he only trades news events
    D. Because he prefers random entries over structured analysis

    4) What does ICT say he wants to know about seasonal tendencies?

    A. Only when they work
    B. Only which books mention them
    C. When they are not going to work so he knows when they are going to work
    D. Whether they can replace all other market analysis

    5) What does ICT say the end goal of the mentorship is for students by November?

    A. To become rich overnight
    B. To be able to predict every candle perfectly
    C. To confidently know when not to trade and be still
    D. To copy ICT’s exact trading size and style

    Answer Key:


    1) B Evidence: “to me that conjures up ideas of precision accuracy foresight higher strike rate than the average Trader” *(around 0:10:52–0:11:03)*
    2) C Evidence: “his smart money tools open interest accumulation distribution commitment of Traders and premiums” *(around 0:26:35–0:26:58)*
    3) B Evidence: “I need to stop right then and there and flip the script… look for what would exist at the opposite Spectrum” *(around 0:18:28–0:19:00)*
    4) C Evidence: “I want to know when they’re not going to work and by knowing that I know when they’re going to work” *(around 0:34:56–0:35:03)*
    5) C Evidence: “what is that it is that you will confidently know when not to do anything and be still” *(around 1:22:49–1:23:00)*