The discussion focused on trading psychology, community behavior, and risk management. A debate began over whether experienced traders should be told to “dream small,” with one speaker arguing that advanced traders should aim higher, while beginners need simpler goals.
The conversation then shifted to whether drama among traders and influencers is harmful or simply part of a competitive industry; the main takeaway was that competition is fine, but mob mentality, harassment, and threats are dangerous and should be avoided.
Multiple traders shared personal experiences about the emotional challenge of becoming consistently profitable. They stressed that the real difficulty is not finding an edge, but managing yourself, simplifying your process, keeping risk under control, and handling the pressure that comes with success.
Several speakers emphasized journaling, self-reflection, patience, and focusing on controllable factors rather than social media noise.
ICT also warned strongly against toxic online behavior, noting that influencer drama can escalate into real-world threats and harm. He encouraged students to avoid divisive behavior, stay focused on trading, and treat the market with discipline and simplicity.
The session ended with mutual support, gratitude, and encouragement to keep growing personally and professionally.
Summary — Trader Roundup (live discussion with ICT/Michael, Kitt and students)
– Session focus: live review of price action and teaching on order-flow concepts (fair value gaps, inversions, order blocks, breakers) and how to use them to anticipate moves in algorithmic markets.
– Key trading concepts covered: – Fair value gaps (FVGs) and inversion setups — watching how 1‑min candles react to gaps to judge follow‑through vs. false moves. – Order blocks, rejection blocks and the “unicorn” / purge-and-revert market‑maker model for entries. – WICKs (wick that shows both buy‑side and sell‑side delivery) as a balanced price range that often outranks other gaps for grading levels. – Event‑horizon and pyramid entries between PD arrays (price/time reference levels) as advanced execution techniques.
– Trade management & tactics: – Use clear entry rules, scale / partials and trailing when structure invalidates (e.g., close/encroachment below a consequent level). – “Secure profits” — take low‑hanging fruit, scale off winners, and don’t insist on being right over being profitable. – Practical exercise suggested: small, repeatable limit entries (example: capture two ES handles) to build confidence and small, consistent gains.
– Process & learning advice: – Pick one simple model that fits you, master it, backtest it, then add confluences. Don’t chase every new idea. – Actively test “how my model can fail” — define invalidation signatures and time/risk tolerances. – Time is an edge — grade time windows (session/opening ranges) as well as price levels.
– Psychology, life & accountability: – Trading requires discipline, handling fear/greed, and balancing life priorities. Journaling (including non‑trading life) preserves lessons and perspective. – Be mindful of relationships: communicate goals and boundaries with partners; trading won’t automatically fix relationship pain. – Treat money as a servant; shift focus from output obsession to consistent input/process work.
– Market structure & reality: – Markets are largely algorithmic; manual intervention (market makers / “Phil”) happens and can distort otherwise algorithmic behavior. – Be aware social and algorithmic feedback loops exist — many people trade the same visible levels, which can create targets and traps.
– Community, credibility & criticism: – ICT emphasizes transparency (live teaching) and rejects paid “signal” promises; warns against influencers/marketing that monetize hype rather than teach real process. – Hosts addressed false online accusations and trolls: do due diligence, focus on demonstrable evidence and stay in your lane; don’t be distracted by drama.
– Tone & purpose: the show mixes technical instruction, mentorship, personal testimony and moral/faith perspectives (trading as a tool to bless family and serve, not as vanity). The repeated message: do the hard work, pick a simple repeatable approach, manage risk, protect relationships, and trade with humility and patience.
Quiz
1) Why does ICT say he will not run a paid signal service? A. He believes students should learn independently and not rely on mentorship. B. He says many people following signals create liquidity that algorithms or operators can target, causing interventions that wreck a signal service. C. He thinks signal services are illegal. D. He prefers to sell private coaching instead.
2) According to ICT, why is a wick given priority over a SIBI or BISI when grading levels? A. Because wicks are easier to draw on charts. B. Because a wicks represents both buyside and sellside delivery, making it a balanced price range that trumps SIB/BISI. C. Because SIB/BISI are only relevant on weekly charts. D. Because wicks always indicate future breakouts.
3) What did ICT call “Phil” in the stream and what did it indicate? A. A trading algorithm that always follows retail orders. B. A type of candlestick pattern signaling continuation. C. Manual intervention: a sudden one-minute candlestick run up to his called level suggesting human participation. D. A nickname for hedging strategies used by algorithms.
4) How does ICT compare the significance of daily higher-timeframe levels versus regular trading hours (RTH) opening range levels? A. He says daily levels are always more important than opening range levels. B. He says opening range levels are always more important than daily levels. C. He says they are on equal playing fields, but the opening range can produce a more sensitive reaction because of concentrated trading in the first 30 minutes. D. He says neither is useful for grading.
5) What does ICT describe as reasons he journals (keeps notebooks) outside of trading notes? A. To publish books and sell to students. B. To archive personal conversations, prayers, dreams and memories so he can relive and pass them on to family. C. To track other traders’ mistakes for exposure. D. To log only his winning trades for marketing.
Answer key (with transcript evidence and timestamps)
1) Correct: B. Evidence: ICT explains that if he put out signals “so many people would be following it… it would build the liquidity that would be easy for them to go in and just take it right off the vine,” and that manual intervention would wreck a signal service. (Transcript: ~00:03:00–00:05:30)
2) Correct: B. Evidence: ICT: “A wick is always gonna be able to trump a CIBI or bisi… go right to the wick because that’s the balanced price range.” He links the wick’s importance to it having both delivery sides. (Transcript: ~00:33:07–00:34:00)
3) Correct: C. Evidence: ICT describes a sudden one‑minute candle that “traversed all the way up to where I told you it was gonna go. That is manual intervention… That’s Phil, that’s manual intervention.” (Transcript: ~00:02:10–00:04:00)
4) Correct: C. Evidence: ICT: “they’re basically the same… There’s no greater importance… it’s just, you’re gonna be much more likely to see a sensitive reaction on the regular trading hours opening range because you’re trading in the first 30 minutes.” (Transcript: ~00:23:00–00:24:00)
5) Correct: B. Evidence: ICT describes keeping leather journals with conversations, prayers and dream journals so he won’t forget moments, can relive memories, and can pass them to his family: “My son asked me… I said, I don’t wanna forget good things… I record conversations with my kids… I record my response… they have a unique opportunity to be able to relive those moments again in my own handwriting.” (Transcript: ~01:11:30–01:20:00)
– Opening and tone: A supportive group mentoring session led by ICT (Michael) and host Kitt. Speakers share trading experiences, questions, and personal struggles; vulnerability and authenticity are encouraged.
– Tilt and coping (Pit Munch): Pit Munch described a specific tilting episode, documented patterns in notes (blood flow to hands → neck → face = danger zone). Effective countermeasures: leave the desk for 10+ minutes, shut down devices, take a long shower until calm, journal the event and end the trading day. Result: she stopped tilting after adopting these steps.
– Psychology and practice: ICT and Kitt emphasized the importance of procedures to separate impulse from trading decisions, cultivating humility, and building disciplined protocols. Journaling and reflecting on bodily signals were highlighted as powerful tools.
– Market pressures and funded accounts: Several callers (Jack, others) described stress from rising living costs and war-related market volatility, leading to overtrading and blowing funded accounts. Discussion focused on patience, adapting to changing conditions, and the need to stick to rules rather than chase payouts.
Technical concepts and teaching points: – “First presented” fair value gap (FVG): ICT explained it’s the first FVG that fits the trader’s narrative/criteria, not simply the first gap seen. Narrative (expected price delivery) guides which FVG to use. – Inversion FVGs, consequent encroachment, order blocks and market-maker models were discussed as practical schematics (multi-timeframe alignment, one-minute resolution for detail). ICT encouraged students to post charts when asking technical questions for precise feedback.
– Faith and personal growth: A younger participant (Johann) raised questions about repentance and deservingness. ICT responded that Christians still sin and should confess; spiritual growth involves seeking God’s will, serving others, and aligning life with higher principles rather than treating God as a wish-granting tool.
– Health, discipline and performance: Multiple speakers stressed physical health as foundational for consistent trading — diet, sleep, breath work, saunas/ice baths and Wim Hof breathing. ICT urged reducing processed foods and sugar, intermittent fasting, and breathing techniques (slow exhale, longer than inhale) to lower heart rate and manage stress. Good physical care improves focus and resilience.
– Community and process: Emphasis on following protocols when asking questions (include charts), helping others, and using mentorship resources (spaces, recordings). The group closed with gratitude and encouragement to keep studying, serve others, and maintain self-care.
Overall: The session blended practical trading instruction (FVGs, market-maker setups, timeframes) with strong focus on trading psychology, disciplined routines, physical health, spiritual balance, and community support as keys to long-term success.
Quiz
Recap, and test your knowledge
Answer key below
Question 1
What did ICT say is necessary to prevent repeated tilting in trading?
a) Trade smaller lot sizes b) Avoid trading during news events c) Put procedures and protocols in place and remove yourself from stimuli d) Only trade when confident
Question 2
According to ICT, what is the correct definition of a “first presented fair value gap”?
a) The first gap that appears on the chart each day b) Any gap formed during the first hour of trading c) The first gap that appears regardless of market conditions d) The first gap that fits the narrative and criteria within a trading model
Question 3
What did ICT say his current bias in current market conditions?
a) It is the most reliable way to trade b) It should always be followed strictly c) He is currently not trusting it and instead focuses on narrative d) It should only be used for long-term trades
Question 4
What did ICT say about trading markets like crude oil or silver in current conditions?
a) They are the best markets to trade right now b) Traders should increase position size in them c) He recommends staying hands-off because they are dangerous d) Only beginners should avoid them
Question 5
How does ICT describe improving trade entries using smaller timeframes?
a) Smaller timeframes are unnecessary b) Always use the 1-minute chart only c) Drop to lower timeframes to see clearer inefficiencies when needed d) Only use higher timeframes for accuracy
Answer Key with Evidence
1. c) Put procedures and protocols in place and remove yourself from stimuli
Evidence:
“If you don’t check yourself, if you don’t put procedures and protocols in place… and you’ve removed yourself from the stimuli.” Timestamp: 00:07:30 – 00:07:54
2. d) The first gap that fits the narrative and criteria within a trading model
Evidence:
“It’s the first presented fair value gap that fits the narrative and the criteria I’m looking for within my model.” Timestamp: 00:30:00 – 00:30:30
3. c) He is currently not trusting it and instead focuses on narrative
Evidence:
“I have zero bias lately because I don’t trust higher timeframe bias… I’m just looking for what’s the current narrative right now.” Timestamp: 00:32:00 – 00:32:30
4. c) He recommends staying hands-off because they are dangerous
Evidence:
“I wouldn’t touch it… it’s giving me every bit of evidence that I should not touch it.” Timestamp: 00:56:00 – 00:57:00
5. c) Drop to lower timeframes to see clearer inefficiencies when needed
Evidence:
“I’m gonna keep dropping down to smaller timeframes until I get that… resolution I’m aiming for.” Timestamp: 01:05:00 – 01:05:30
– Format and tone: A wide-ranging community discussion led by Kitt with ICT (Michael) and multiple students sharing trading progress, personal stories, and faith-driven perspectives. The atmosphere blended practical market instruction, mentorship, and spiritual/psychological counsel.
– Personal testimonies: Daniel described grieving his wife while raising four children and emphasized patience — “let time do the heavy lifting” — and the danger of trading from lack. Several speakers (Wolf, Diamond, Dan) testified to intuition and spiritual guidance, urging humility, surrender, and character development as prerequisites for durable trading success.
– Core trading principles reinforced: – Multi-timeframe alignment (macro → micro) and waiting for clear confluence before entering. – Use of ICT concepts: order blocks, P.D. arrays, fair value gaps (FVGs), market-maker model, premium/discount, relative equal highs/lows and lows, and gap/range logic. – Practical rules and nuances: the left-of-two-highs/lows rule for higher-probability equal-high/low setups; TGIF (weekly retracement idea — expect 20–30% retraces of a one-directional weekly range; extreme up to ~40%); treat opening-range-gap “grid” (last 5/10/20 days) as premium/discount framework; hold partials around midpoints/10:30 if FVGs don’t fill. – Newer terminology explained: mean/threshold, equilibrium, consequential encroachment, and “event horizon” (a naming convention to improve exit planning for price that goes beyond visible levels).
– Psychology & process: Strong emphasis on demo/practice, removing leverage and emotional pressure while learning, disciplined risk, resisting pride, and treating trading as a craft developed over time. Sanctified stewardship—use returns to bless others—was repeatedly encouraged.
– Community & resources: Speakers applauded the value of ICT mentorship videos and X/Twitter spaces. Plans underway to organize/ archive content (playlists, annotated resources) and make it easier to study; volunteers and contributors welcomed.
– Closing theme: The group stressed unity — “we rise by lifting others” — patience, spiritual and mental alignment, and disciplined study as the path to sustainable performance.
Quiz (Test your trading knowledge)
1) According to ICT, when the Lord speaks in a non-audible way, how does that voice most often feel? A. Loud and thunderous B. Calming, felt in the chest/belly, male-sounding, and short/succinct C. Indistinguishable from your normal conscience voice D. A high-pitched whisper
2) For a strongly one-directional weekly move, what retracement range does ICT say the week’s close commonly returns to (TGIF idea)? A. 5–10% of the weekly range B. 10–15% of the weekly range C. 20–30% of the weekly range (sometimes up to 40% in extremes) D. 50% of the weekly range
3) What label did ICT confirm for the combined structure formed by multiple past opening-range gaps (e.g., several days or Mondays/Fridays)? A. OR Matrix B. Opening Range Gap Grid (or simply “grid”) C. Gap Mesh D. Weekly Mesh
4) What is ICT referring to with the term “consequent encroachment” (or the idea behind that phrasing)? A. A dollar-based stop-loss rule B. An expected retracement into about half of an inefficiency / fair-value gap C. A volatility indicator that signals expansion D. A timeframe label for intraday only
Answer Key
1) B 2) C 3) B 4) B
Evidence
1) Internal/non-audible voice characteristics (supports Q1 → B) – ICT: “I have lots of experiences, uh, where I felt the Lord speak, and I’ve heard, and it’s not always an audible, but it’s, many times it’s like internal, like, it’s like it’s either in your belly or it’s in your chest. … It’s very confident. You want it to keep talking, like you want it to keep speaking to you, but it’s always real short, succinct, just what’s necessary.” — [00:22:39]–[00:23:30]
2) TGIF weekly retracement percentages (supports Q2 → C) – ICT: “TGIF is a retracement idea on the weekly range… if it’s a one directional week… it’s more likely that it’s going to gravitate back towards 20% or 30% of the range that it created for that week… In extremes, it can go to 40%.” — [01:18:43]–[01:20:02]
3) Label for combined opening-range gaps = “grid” (supports Q3 → B) – ICT: “Yes, that’s what I refer to it as. And I just define it by how many, how many one periods I look back. … For you as students, grid is fine.” — [01:04:24]–[01:04:50]
4) “Consequent encroachment” meaning (supports Q4 → B) – ICT: “…The gaps or when there’s an element of inefficiency… I chose the middle, uh, ground instead of saying equilibrium. ‘Cause it’s not equal… So it’s encroaching on the consequence of you holding that position. You’re gonna have to endure retracement up to half of it. So it’s encroaching upon what is reasonable for you to absorb as drawdown…” — [02:16:30]–[02:17:30]
Opening: ICT checks audio, says he’ll keep remarks short and join Trader Round UP afterward.
Challenge to critics: Calls out online trolls and challengers, invites anyone to trade live on Axi with real broker statements to prove results rather than trash-talk.
Trading philosophy: Advocates small, disciplined growth over gambling — start with one micro contract, target modest weekly/daily goals (e.g., $50/day, $250/week, $1,000/month), and compound as you grow.
Methodology: Emphasizes structured price analysis (market structure, grids, PD arrays, order blocks, fair value gaps) and knowing specific levels and times rather than random guessing.
Risk management: Warns against over-leveraging, chasing big payouts, and demo/gambling mindsets that condition bad behavior; promotes slow, incremental consistency (e.g., weekly percent gains).
Learning process: Teaching filters out lazy students — you must practice in your own account, learn through mistakes, and be patient; no shortcuts to experience.
Social media/toxicity: Criticizes online negativity and fake gurus who prioritize engagement over real trading skill; many detractors lack discipline and can’t replicate results.
Personal notes and anecdotes: Mentions specific students and incidents (leaderboard competitors, a livestream he advised, students who transformed), and stresses underlying personal work (self-confidence, removing toxic influences) is essential for success.
Closing: Encourages disciplined study and practice, reiterates openness to public, verifiable challenges, and signs off to join the Traders Roundup podcast.
Overall message: Trade methodically, start tiny, focus on structure and consistency, ignore performative online criticism, and do the hard work to become reliably profitable.
Quiz
1) What weekly profit target using a single micro contract did ICT suggest as a starting goal? A. $50 per week B. $250 per week C. $1,000 per day D. $5,000 per week
2) What strike-rate did ICT claim to have achieved that week? A. 60% strike rate B. 75% strike rate C. 100% strike rate D. 0% strike rate
3) Which of the following did ICT say about Larry Williams-style over-leveraging? A. It’s safe to risk 1–2% per trade. B. Williams used extreme leverage, risking ~30% of his account on single trades, which is madness. C. Williams never had big drawdowns. D. Over-leveraging is the only path to consistent profits.
Answer key
1) B 2) C 3) B
Evidence from the transcript 1) One-micro $250/week / $50/day suggestion (supports answer 2-B) – Quote”One micro, we’re just trading with one micro contract. Try to make $250 a week, four weeks in a row… Use one micro to make $50 net each day. If you’re gonna trade every day…” – He explicitly gives $250/week (or $50/day) as the starter target.
2) 100% strike rate claim (supports answer 3-C) – Quote:”But if you look at what I did this week, using the smallest of leverage… here it is, the end of the week and we look back and it’s a hundred fucking percent strike rate.” – He claims a 100% strike rate for that week.
3) Larry Williams over-leveraging (supports answer 4-B) – Quote “Larry Williams was just going in there like a monster over leveraging to the hilt. Okay? And there’s no doubt about it, you can just look at his statements and look at his positions. That was crazy leverage. Risking 30% of his account on, you know, on single trades.”
In a live trading discussion, participants question confusing ES price action around 10:00 AM, fair value gap inversions, and whether a move was manipulation; Michael explains that manipulation can occur unexpectedly, so traders must use stop losses, avoid over-leverage, and treat invalidation as information to potentially reverse bias. He ties direction to higher-timeframe context, noting daily-chart relative equal highs and specific reference levels (e.g., February 4 and February 25 highs around 25,514.5) as likely buy-side targets amid heavy market manipulation and low excitement due to small opening-range disparity. The group discusses using PD arrays, opening range gaps, engulfment-retracement-inversion patterns, journaling, and disciplined execution, with reminders not to share specific trades. Additional Q&A covers order blocks (including consecutive candles), propulsion blocks, silver bullet usage, personal risk management statistics, and “Easter egg” study prompts, alongside recurring platform technical issues.
Quiz (Answer Key below)
Question 1
According to ICT, what is the primary protection a trader should always use when entering a trade?
A. Only trade during high-volume sessions B. Use a stop loss because manipulation can occur at any time C. Wait for confirmation from multiple indicators D. Only trade when the market has large opening gaps
Question 2
What condition did ICT say often leads to a 50/50 market environment at the start of the session?
A. When overnight liquidity is very high B. When the market opens above the previous day’s high C. When there is no large opening range gap D. When price trades above the daily equilibrium
Question 3
Why did ICT believe the market had a higher probability of moving upward based on the daily chart?
A. Because institutional buying volume increased B. Because the market returned inside a range after taking sellside liquidity C. Because the market opened above the weekly high D. Because momentum indicators were oversold
Question 4
According to ICT, if a trade setup fails and price does not move in the expected direction, what should traders consider?
A. Close the platform and wait until tomorrow B. Add more leverage to the position C. Consider that price may move in the opposite direction and use prior imbalances as support/resistance D. Ignore the signal and wait for news events
Question 5
What did ICT say traders should do if they cannot tolerate drawdown through several PD arrays?
A. Use longer-term timeframes B. Increase position size C. Avoid trading during New York session D. Reduce leverage because they are over-leveraged
Question 6
When does a down-close candle become a bullish order block, according to ICT?
A. When price closes above the candle B. When price trades one tick above the candle’s opening price C. When the candle forms during the London session D. When the candle has a large wick
Answer Key (with Evidence)
1. B — Use a stop loss because manipulation can occur anytime
Evidence: “if we’re gonna be buying or selling, we have to use a stop loss… manipulation could come in… you getting wrecked and there’s nothing you could have done to prevent it except… have a stop loss.” (00:02:22–00:02:58)
2. C — When there is no large opening range gap
Evidence: “the first indication was it was 50-50 going in ’cause of the lack of a large enough opening range gap.” (00:04:21–00:04:29)
3. B — Because the market returned inside a range after taking sellside liquidity
Evidence: “we traded down to the sellside yesterday… then it came right back up inside the range… the market’s probably gonna try to gravitate towards [equal highs].” (00:08:30–00:08:56)
4. C — Consider the opposite direction and use prior imbalances
Evidence: “if it’s not selling off when it should be selling off, then it’s probably gonna go the other direction… treat them as footholds… it’s gonna be like a springboard.” (00:35:00–00:35:35)
5. D — Reduce leverage because they are over-leveraged
Evidence: “if you can’t absorb retracement… up to three PD arrays… you’re over leveraged.” (00:36:40–00:36:59)
6. B — When price trades one tick above the candle’s opening price
Evidence: “when we see price trade above the opening price of a down close candle… that immediately activates that down close candle… you just need to see it trade above it.” (00:41:32–00:43:08)
In a Trader Roundup live discussion hosted by Kitt with ICT (Michael), participants review a lecture and share takeaways about allowing small candle bodies to slightly exceed fair value gap boundaries in volatile markets, emphasizing risk control and that not everyone is suited to trading. Michael explains that key levels require alignment of time, price, and gradient levels derived from dynamic five-day ranges of opening gaps or other ranges, framing premium/discount for targets and setups. A trader asks how to choose among many sub-minute PD arrays; Michael says PD arrays are validated when they form over gradient levels at the right times. Others discuss learning via ICT’s X/Twitter spaces, note-taking, journaling (including using Notion and ChatGPT), scaling position size via pyramiding, displacement, event horizon partial exits, and using premarket liquidity. A brief religious question arises, and Michael reiterates focusing on process, patience, and delayed gratification.
QUIZ:
Test your knowledge (click each question to reveal the answer)
According to ICT, why might small candle bodies slightly outside a Fair Value Gap sometimes be ignored?
a) They always invalidate the setup
b) They represent strong institutional activity
c) They are insignificant price action and can be disregarded
d) They confirm that the market is reversing
Answer: c) They are insignificant price action and can be disregarded.
Evidence (00:11:30–00:11:55): ICT explains that small deviations outside the level may not matter:
“That small little segment of price action that still by definition is the body… what type of body is it, it’s an insignificant amount of price action. So to me, I disregard that.”
What condition must be present for a Fair Value Gap or PD Array to become a valid “key level” according to ICT?
a) It must occur during high volume
b) It must align with a gradient level and time
c) It must appear on a daily chart
d) It must close completely before trading
Answer: b) It must align with a gradient level and time.
Evidence (00:14:50–00:16:05): ICT states that the key factor is alignment with gradient levels:
“Every one of those ranges has a gradient level, and when it agrees with a P.D array… now you have a key level. It’s not a key level unless that criteria is there.”
In ICT’s explanation of algorithmic market behavior, what role do gradient levels serve?
a) They determine trading volume
b) They function like yard lines marking where price interacts
c) They identify market news events
d) They replace Fair Value Gaps
Answer: b) They function like yard lines marking where price interacts.
Evidence (00:21:20–00:22:05): ICT compares gradient levels to football field yard lines:
“The P.D array that lays down on top, that yard line, which is the gradient level… when it’s the right time to make the play.”
According to ICT, why do many Fair Value Gaps fail to produce trades?
a) Because they are too small
b) Because traders enter too early
c) Because they are not aligned with gradient levels
d) Because they occur during low liquidity
Answer: c) Because they are not aligned with gradient levels.
Evidence (00:22:10–00:23:10): ICT explains that most gaps are ignored by the algorithm:
“Just because you see a fair value gap means nothing. It has to lay over top of a gradient level at a right time… that’s what validates the fair value gaps.”
What does ICT say happens if price trades outside the defined range created by recent opening gaps?
a) Traders should double their position
b) Traders should immediately reverse their trade
c) Traders should stop trading and wait for a new range
d) Traders should switch timeframes
Answer: c) Traders should stop trading and wait for a new range.
Evidence (00:14:05–00:14:35): ICT explains how to respond when price leaves the defined range:
“What happens if it trades below that? You’re gonna sit on your hands… when a new day opening gap comes in… now you can trade, but you have a range to work within.”
In a live trading Twitter/X space, host Kitt moderates a discussion with Michael Huddleston (ICT) and global participants, stressing adherence to a speaker “process” and keeping commentary focused on markets rather than geopolitics. Traders share takeaways from ICT’s weekly review, including relative strength/SMT analysis on indices using line charts, expectations around gaps (indices gap down, metals/oil move), and assignment research (Hunt Brothers). Several off-topic or unprepared speakers are cut short, while others ask about fair value gap fills, macro timing precision (e.g., 10:50–11:10), managing opening-range/RTH gap levels (keep last five in rotation), and CFD vs futures. The group emphasizes journaling to reveal psychological errors and recommends healing fear by stepping back to tape-reading and demo. ICT proposes a four-week “one micro” challenge to earn about $1,000 to cover key bills, focusing on discipline, small risk, and scalability.
Quiz:
How well were you listening? Test your knowledge
According to ICT, what is the most important central factor that drives how and why prices move?
a) Volume
b) Indicators
c) Time
d) News events
Answer: c) Time
Evidence (00:51:10): “The most important central tenant to how and why prices move… it’s time.”
How many opening ranges does ICT recommend keeping on the chart as a general rule of thumb when analyzing price?
a) 3
b) 5
c) 10
d) 20
Answer: b) 5
Evidence (00:37:55): “I gave, as a general rule of thumb, keep five on there.”
When mapping multiple opening ranges, what does ICT suggest using to define the complete price range or grid?
a) The most recent opening range only
b) The highest high and lowest low of the last five opening ranges
c) The daily open and close
d) The weekly high and low
Answer: b) The highest high and lowest low of the last five opening ranges
Evidence (00:38:00 – 00:40:00): ICT explains using “the highest high of that range and the lowest low of the five” to create a complete range or grid.
What does ICT say macro time windows are primarily used for in trading?
a) Determining stop-loss levels
b) Predicting news releases
c) Focusing attention on when price moves tend to start or end
d) Identifying market manipulation
Answer: c) Focusing attention on when price moves tend to start or end
Evidence (00:42:00): “The macro is not the answer to everything. It’s a timing mechanism… a window of time where things tend to happen.”
In ICT methodology, what is the purpose of identifying liquidity in the market?
a. To determine broker spreads
b. To find price levels the market may target next
c. To calculate lot size
d. To determine leverage
Answer: b. To find price levels the market may target next
Timestamp: 00:40:26
Text: “It’s gonna reach for a pool of liquidity that’s within striking distance…”
What concept helps traders determine whether price is relatively “cheap” or “expensive” within a range?
a. Market profile
b. Premium and Discount
c. Fibonacci expansion
d. VWAP
Answer: b. Premium and Discount
Timestamp: 00:40:14
Text: “Assuming that we’re in the lower 100 handles of that 350, are we in a discount or a premium relative to that?”
When analyzing a trading range, what additional factor does ICT say traders should combine with price location?
a. Volume indicators
b. Fibonacci levels
c. Time aspect
d. RSI divergence
Answer: c. Time aspect
Timestamp: ~00:39–00:40 discussion
Text: “Where are you at with market price? Then add the time aspect to it and you’ll be able to see where you’re at in that range.”
Which price imbalance concept is mentioned as a possible continuation entry signal?
a. Breaker Block
b. Fair Value Gap
c. Volume Gap
d. Stop Cluster
Answer: b. Fair Value Gap
Timestamp: 00:43:00
Text: “I’ll just look for a continuation institutional order flow entry drill, or another fair value gap.”
Which ICT concept is referenced as a way to study how institutional price movements originate?
a. Breaker theory
b. Liquidity sweep model
c. Order Block projection theory
d. Volume imbalance model
Answer: c. Order Block projection theory
Timestamp: 00:32:29
Text: “Order block projection theory, very clearly articulated by Michael…”
“ICT Mastermind” Trader Roundup conversation led by Kitt with ICT (Michael J. Huddleston) and multiple speakers. They discuss tapping into intuition, mentorship and mastermind community support, and applying ICT trading models (notably the 2022 model, SMT, CISD, liquidity runs, and wick/gradient concepts including a “John Wick” example).
Several participants share personal journeys: Manos describes years of losses, demo focus, and recent progress; others describe using premarket mapping and liquidity concepts.
The group shifts heavily into health, fasting, carnivore/ketogenic diets, autophagy, insulin resistance, and chronic disease, with Michael describing prediabetic symptoms, dietary changes, and quality-of-life improvements. They emphasize journaling, discipline, avoiding emotional toxicity while trading, balanced living, and risk management, including one trader doubling a small account and extracting the initial deposit.
1. According to ICT, what is the real reason markets move? a) Economic
news releases b) Random retail trading activity c) Delivery of
price to rebalance inefficiencies d) Government intervention
Answer: c) Delivery of price to rebalance inefficiencies
Evidence: “The market is delivered algorithmically to
rebalance price delivery inefficiencies.”
2. What does ICT say traders must understand before trying to make money?
a) Complex indicators b) Broker spreads c) How price is
delivered d) High-frequency trading software
Answer: c) How price is delivered
Evidence: “You have to understand how price is delivered
before you can even think about trying to make money from it.”
3. According to ICT, what is the purpose of consolidation in the market?
a) To create random volatility b) To accumulate or distribute
positions c) To confuse retail traders d) To follow economic
news cycles
Answer: b) To accumulate or distribute positions
Evidence: “Consolidation is accumulation or distribution.
It’s not random.”
4. What does ICT say about liquidity? a) It is irrelevant to price
movement b) It is created by retail traders c) It is a byproduct
of volatility d) It is engineered and sought by price
Answer: d) It is engineered and sought by price
Evidence: “Liquidity is engineered. Price seeks liquidity.”
5. According to ICT, what is required to become consistently profitable?
a) A large starting account b) Patience and discipline c)
Copying institutional trades d) Trading every market session
Answer: b) Patience and discipline
Evidence: “You have to be patient. You have to be
disciplined.”
In a livestream discussion, Michael (ICT) and participants discuss growing confidence in his mentorship series, especially using lower timeframes to see market structure. A trader asks about market maker buy/sell model phases in high-resistance “barcoding” conditions; Michael explains these models belong to low-resistance liquidity runs, advising either dropping to sub‑minute charts where smaller-degree models appear or not trading/ranging markets.
They cover managing Opening Range Gap (ORG) levels, with Michael recommending beginners keep only the last three days, but also keep the last two Mondays and two Fridays because their ORGs often act as liquidity magnets; he notes sweet-spot ORG sizes and that gradient levels apply to any inefficiency/wick.
Michael advises novices to focus on one mechanical model to measure progress and build experience before broad discretion. He answers questions on V-shaped reversals using inversion/fair value gaps and cautions that detailed technical questions should be sent with charts on X.
A trader shares that prop funding harmed psychology and encouraged shortcuts, emphasizing patience and process.
Quiz (click to reveal)
1. Market Maker Buy/Sell Models primarily occur during: A) High resistance liquidity conditions B) News events only C) Low resistance liquidity run conditions D) Consolidation after macro time
C
2. If price is in a high resistance “barcode” condition on a 5m or 15m chart, what is recommended? A) Force trades using the same model B) Drop to lower timeframes C) Add more indicators D) Only trade breakouts
B
3. In high resistance conditions, ICT suggests you should: A) Always look for accumulation & distribution phases B) Trade aggressively C) Either drop to very low timeframes, sit on your hands, or trade another market D) Only use macro time
C
4. A true Market Maker model includes which of the following components? (Select all that apply) ☐ Accumulation ☐ Two distribution stages ☐ Smart money reversal ☐ Low-risk sell ☐ Random breakout
☑ Accumulation
☑ Two distribution stages
☑ Smart money reversal
☑ Low-risk sell
⛔ Random breakout
5. Opening Range Gaps have approximately what probability of trading to half-gap? A) 50% B) 60% C) 70% D) 90%
C
6. What is considered the “sweet spot” handle range for trading the opening range? A) 20–30 handles B) 40 handles C) 70–100 handles D) 150+ handles
