S12 Candle Basic Rules
S12 Candle Basic Rules
S12 Candle Basic Rules
1. STRUCTURE / PATTERN
2. HOD / LOD
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3. TIMINGS
My focus is on the 3 hour window. 1 hour before the equity markets open, the hour of the equity
market opens, and the hour after the equity markets open. Hence 12 - 15 minute candles.
This allows me to have laser-like focus for some simple recurring setups that occur frequently
enough for selling, buying or trend trading setups. This repeatable cycle is recurring in all 3 12
candle windows. Whether or not the range, the pattern and a good risk / reward trade setup is in
each window is unpredictable.
4. ROUND NUMBERS
Typically these trades will come off of round numbers, specifically 00’s and 50’s. The quarter
levels, 25 and 75 will often be a “stop hunt” extension of a 50 or 00 trading box.
I look for engulfments and pin hammers. These can be “with trend” trades, or reversals, for stop
hunts or in a trading range.
I look to ENTER the majority of my trades “AT OR NEAR” numbers. Ie 25, 50, 75, 00. Sometimes I
may limit order these trades, others I may just get filled at market.
• “M” PATTERNS - TYPE 1,2,3
• “W” PATTERNS - TYPE 1,2,3
My average STOP LOSS is 1 ATR. For most of the pairs it will be 20 pips. The GBPAUD, GBPNZD
may be 25. Depending on the level of volatility on the day, on the pair, it may be a bit more or less
give or take. Typically though, I am looking for a 1 bar stop. Position sizing can depend on the type
of setup, and the size of stop loss.
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The minimum PROFIT TARGET is usually 50 pips. Sometimes a market may hit a previous day’s
high or low, or the current day’s high or low, OR SIGNIFICANT ROUND NUMBERS, 00, 50, and
the market may stop there. I may only be up 40 pips. When those levels are prominent, it may be
necessary to adjust that target on the day, based on HOW PRICE BEHAVES when it gets to those
levels.
Other trades (Measured Moves) may be in the area of 50-75 or a 100 or more pips. Again,
depending on the setup and how that pair is trading on the day.
Once I am in the trade, I will fight every urge that I have to interfere with it. I review the trade setup
and thesis that I have for the trade. I monitor the behaviour initially based on my thesis. I will
typically leave the screen, or watch, and monitor myself, self talk, do meditation, and possibly
review the other pairs to identify any other setups.
I will normally NOT ADJUST my stop loss to BREAK EVEN UNTIL, the market has broken a high
or low boundary, ( I wait for the 15 min candle to close) OR it has CLOSED 30 pips or more,
breaking into the next quarterly range.
At 40 pips, depending on if the market has moved (fast or creeping) I will potentially look to LOCK
IN 40 pips if the market has “two-sided” trading occurring near my profit target. So, to clarify, if it
has spent 30 minutes near my target without hitting it, I will be watching closely to “LOCK IN”
profits, in case the market is preparing to reverse.
SELF MANAGEMENT
Self talk
Meditation
Preparation
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The HOUR BEFORE AND THE HOUR AFTER THE 12 CANDLE WINDOW
“717” This is the HOUR BEFORE the 12 candle window. (7pm, 1am, 7am NY EST “717”)
There will often be a “STOP HUNT” to the high, to the low, or back against the trend in the hour
before the 12 candle window. It will be a 1-2-3 style of stop hunt. (See The THREE BAR
PATTERN That Will Change Your FOREX TRADING video)
WHY IS THIS IMPORTANT TO KNOW? Because this possibly sets up a “FIRST HOUR” trade.
HOURLY ROTATION Timings are critical. The market is very predictable in terms of timings. When
the equity markets open, these pairs move. Either to continue an existing trend, to reverse it, or to
trap traders. Typically these moves will either be at the end of the hour (15 minute charts) or the
beginning of the hour, (first candle.)
EVERY SESSION has a STOP HUNT / TRAP / and a TRADE setup. This doesn’t mean EVERY
PAIR will set up perfectly for you!
There is usually ALWAYS ONE PERFECT SETUP though. It is my job, to the best of my ability on
that day, at that moment, to identify what I consider to be the BEST setup, and then execute my
trading process as flawlessly as possible.
If there isn’t something I would consider to be part of my “BEST TRADING SETUPS” scenarios,
then I am comfortable with WALKING AWAY FROM THE SCREEN.
My job IS NOT to try and trade every move in the market. It is to IDENTIFY THE BEST SETUPS
that are in MY PLAYBOOK, and then execute as flawlessly as possible.
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TIME DECAY (Considering that trade was entered correctly.)
First 30 Minutes trade should have shown positive movement in the direction of my trade. (If not
reassess / exit trade.)
If the trade is not in profit after 1 hour - cut the trade. (Exception if entered early but trade thesis is
still positive.)
Profit target not hit after 2 hours - take profit or exit trade. (Especially if the market is in
consolidation.)
MARKETS ONLY DO THREE THINGS
EVERY TIME A market moves 50 or more pips and goes into consolidation, the market is
preparing for another move. Possibly to the extremes of the previous high or low of daily
levels.
WHENEVER A DAILY HIGH OR LOW IS BROKEN the market is now attracting “other time frame”
traders into the market. End of day, institutional traders, big money, larger players, that may
potentially be behind or add strength to a market move that day. In either direction. (Reversal or
trend)
MOST STOP HUNTS ARE 25-50 PIPS (Look at the number levels)
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