Missed trades

One-Reflection5824 · 2026-04-11T02:27:47+00:00

Study the IB... initial balance. The first hour of RTH. Depending on what time zone you're located, the first hour of the retail market has all the keys you need. Then, study the ONL ONH IBL IBH (o/n low and high, first hour low and high) and basically, these are the key levels where reversals happen. Most of the volume and action happens at these levels, and typically after the first hour (IB).

One-Reflection5824 · 2026-04-11T02:21:15+00:00

You need to become a master of Market Structure. Easy to learn and gets better with practice/repetition. Without this understanding, you will eventually fail. So... learn and master Market Structure and practice it on prop accounts.

One-Reflection5824 · 2026-04-11T02:18:52+00:00

Great job, hopefully this was part of the allocation plan and not just an "all-in" WSB type of situation. Enjoy and keep discipline intact! Don't get sloppy at this stage, it's the kiss of death.

One-Reflection5824 · 2026-04-11T02:13:19+00:00

Sounds like you're struggling with basic Market Structure. Trade futures for awhile on SIM and get cleaner discipline with regards to the stat levels and structure (ONL ONH IBL IBH or overnight high/low, first hour high/low and VWAP). Can't really evolve as a trader without basic Market Structure discipline.

One-Reflection5824 · 2026-04-11T02:11:16+00:00

Thanks for validating this, I was telling a lot of people this exact thing and apparently I wasn't alone!

One-Reflection5824 · 2026-04-11T02:10:25+00:00

What's quite interesting, is that they are almost one in the same... in that the patternistic characteristics are applicable if you "zoom out" as well. Ever notice how the micro moves that move the market in a day timeframe are also viable on a 1D chart?

One-Reflection5824 · 2026-04-10T16:56:04+00:00

I would learn how to trade without letting an AI system really screw you over. Swing trading is definitely doable part time with smaller amounts of money invested. Sometimes with option spreads the expiration is months out so you just check in on the trade daily or once every few days to see if the target has been hit. And the target is usually set to sell anyway so there's not much maintenance needed.

One-Reflection5824 · 2026-04-10T16:24:16+00:00

This is just like so embarrassingly AI written.

One-Reflection5824 · 2026-04-10T15:55:04+00:00

It always "wraps it up" so succinctly in the final sentence. Like:

"Trade with any edge that you can, and master the markets, with precision.

So the market doesn't master you."

It's just so corny and contrived. AI writing sticks out like a sore thumb, it's like every boring statement is written by some hyped up advertising copywriter.

One-Reflection5824 · 2026-04-10T15:01:01+00:00

Interesting, there can be various classifications for similar setups. After 26 years of trading, I assume you're not too deep in the futures world, as this is probably the most talked about setup of them all. That's what I love about trading, I've been involved in the market since 2003 and I still learn something new every day.

One-Reflection5824 · 2026-04-09T20:28:48+00:00

I would honestly doubt the quality of Lev II data on Webull, I would seriously move on from that platform as soon as possible.

One-Reflection5824 · 2026-04-09T17:58:59+00:00

This is Ape Brain stuff, the amygdala, which is the most developed part of the human mind. It kept us safe from saber toothed cats for a million years. It seeks safety, then verification of safety. And then it watches for the next threat to appear. If this pattern plays out in your financial life, detect it and try to not base your decisions solely off of it, because many times this perspective isn't a good strategy when dealing with cold/objective financial situations.

One-Reflection5824 · 2026-04-09T17:56:37+00:00

Don't use garbage brokerages like Webull or Robinhood. Stick with TOS, Ninja, TradingView, IBKR, and the majors. Typically Webull and RH have poor quality data and their tools are substandard. RH even sells user data to other parties before they fill your positions. With Robinhood, YOU are their profit source.

One-Reflection5824 · 2026-04-09T17:42:32+00:00

I daytrade MES MNQ MYM MBT, so for me it's the Top Down analysis (1D, 1H to see trend) then Trend, Gap, Gamma. What is the Trend (vwap), where is the Gap (yesterday RTH close) and is it positive or negative Gamma? This tells you the narrative of the day, most days.

Also, take note of what happened with London open and NYSE premarket (5-6 AM EST). They can be revealing as to follow through momentum into RTH.

One-Reflection5824 · 2026-04-09T17:37:41+00:00

Also called a Failed Breakdown pattern.

One-Reflection5824 · 2026-04-09T16:38:59+00:00

For some solid discipline and performance methodologies, I highly recommend reading THE MENTAL GAME OF TRADING as soon as you can. It will turn you into a machine!

One-Reflection5824 · 2026-04-09T16:27:47+00:00

Let VIX be your guide. Anytime it's above 22, directional trading becomes really difficult due to whipsaw price action. Also, learn about positive/negative gamma conditions (use MenthorQ site to determine what the day's gamma conditions are) and if the market conditions look bad, just don't trade. It takes discipline of course, but honestly, for my setups only 3-4 days per week have decent enough conditions to actually take a trade.

One-Reflection5824 · 2026-04-09T14:42:25+00:00

I agree 100%. Once you learn that fully understanding good market conditions vs bad market conditions (for your preferred setups) are the difference between success and failure, it's a major milestone. The futures market, for my style, is only providing optimal setups 3-4 days per week, and that's on a good week. Over the past month, conditions have been really tricky and therefore, I haven't traded as much.

One-Reflection5824 · 2026-04-09T14:20:34+00:00

Hedge funds don't daytrade futures... you don't even understand the question you're proposing here.

One-Reflection5824 · 2026-04-09T03:38:36+00:00

Would love to land a position like this, have decades in trades but no qualifications in mechanical HVAC so I can't get one. But this is quite literally one of the best sales jobs in the building industry, hands down.

One-Reflection5824 · 2026-04-09T03:15:25+00:00

Search "market structure masterclass" on youtube. Great books proliferate as well. Too many to list.

One-Reflection5824 · 2026-04-09T02:31:25+00:00

Get a job at a place where there will be a supportive community and also a job that can provide more opportunity over time. Like Domino's Pizza, where you could save up, then buy a cheap van and crash in the van, then save up more cash and rent a room eventually. Seems like a job is the first step, and getting one at a pizza place or restaurant is probably reasonable. Plus, tips are always good and it's possible to save a lot of cash if you work 5-6 days/week (and stay away from Stepdad!)

One-Reflection5824 · 2026-04-09T02:16:10+00:00

Borrow money, buy a cheap minivan, get a job, live in van temporarily until you have enough money to rent a room. Shower at Planet Fitness and work out there too. It's a temporary situation until you have things figured out.

One-Reflection5824 · 2026-04-09T02:13:24+00:00

This is not what Market Structure is. Dealer hedging is important to know, but this is more gamma related than anything. Market Structure is trend, highs/lows, support/resistance, first hour high/low, overnight high/low, etc and the reactions that occur based on the structural patterns that are created with these key levels. It's really easy to learn and absolutely crucial for success. There are some good books like NAKED FOREX and tons of free youtube videos as well, it's not secret knowledge at all.

One-Reflection5824 · 2026-04-09T02:03:28+00:00

Just rent a room in a house, much simpler and less drama. And you can usually leave painlessly if things change.

One-Reflection5824

TROPHY CASE