Volume Confirmation
Breakouts and reversals are significantly more reliable when accompanied by above-average volume.
Higher-Timeframe Bias
Trade in the direction of the daily/4H trend. Counter-trend patterns on lower timeframes fail more often.
Always Use Stops
Place stops beyond the pattern extreme. Risk no more than 1% of account per trade — patterns are probabilities, not guarantees.
Wait for Confirmation
Single-candle signals need a follow-through candle or break of a key level. Entering early is how reversals become losses.
Confluence Wins
Stack pattern + support/resistance + volume + trend alignment. One signal alone is rarely enough.
Measured Move Discipline
Chart patterns project targets from pattern height. Take partial profits at the measured move — don't assume infinite extension.
Respect News Events
Major economic releases create false breakouts and widened spreads. Reduce size or stand aside 30 minutes before/after.
Journal Every Trade
Log the pattern, setup, emotion, and outcome. Your edge comes from repeating what works and cutting what doesn't.
Know When Not to Trade
Choppy, low-volume ranges produce the most false signals. No setup is better than a forced setup.