When I opened the chart today, my first thought was “uptrend”. That initial thought tends to be the right direction, and it’s something I’ve read about a few times now. Trust your gut.

I’d noticed that price had left a nice wick with a bullish candle at the recent EMA. After which, he proceeded with a nice short-term uptrend. I then closely watched the pullback and saw the 1st entry long, followed by a 2nd entry. The 2nd entry long was right at EMA, which continued to hold.

At the time of placing the order, I noticed that the ATR was around 3.1, and therefore, I figured I had enough room to try and scalp 10 ticks.

I placed a buy stop order above the 2nd entry long candle and was filled shortly afterwards. I then had to wait whilst the price made up its mind and left me feeling slightly uncomfortable as the price reversed for a short amount of time. Eventually, the bears gave up, and the bull scalp was made. 10 ticks!

You’ll notice I went for 2 contracts as opposed to my usual 1 contract order. This is so I can attempt to pass the prop firm evaluation phase a little bit quicker (or not?)

The failed 2nd Entry Short – Loser

After the above trade, which was made quite soon after market open. I decided I was happy for the day and I actually walked away from the computer. But sadly, something compelled me to return later on in the market.

Upon my return, I had noticed a two-legged move down. Now, I know, I know, a two-legged move is usually all that we’ll get before the next bit of price action begins. However, I felt that contextually that the market wasn’t ready for another bullish push.

I saw a chance to take a 2nd entry short, which had a very small stop loss – given that I had said I’d only enter the trade with a limit order. So I took the trade, another with 2 contracts, given that I want to pass my evaluation stage. But sadly, I was stopped out on the same trade for a 5 tick loss.

This was a trade that I had accepted, taking a risk on. Like I say, I’d seen the two legged move down but still I wanted to take the chance. With a small stop loss, I felt the reward could have been worthwhile. I guess this is a lesson for the future me.

The 2nd Entry Long – Loser

And the final, brutal trade of the day. A whopping -10 tick loss.

Today was roll-over day. This is the first time I’ve experienced rollover. The market has been slow.

However, I waited for another trade, this time, to go long. I had seen price create some sort of range market. It then rejected the bottom of the range with a strong bullish movement.

Having an eye on the Discord chat. I had noticed mention of a possible higher low entry if held above the EMA. The lesson here is – do not listen to Discord! Discord fogs my own thought process because I become influenced by other traders. As of now, Discord has been closed, and I don’t plan on reopening it.

So, as you can imagine. I took a higher low long trade. Only to be stopped out. A bad trade, one that I didn’t like but allowed my influence to sway me.

All in all, I could have started and ended my day with a healthy + 10 ticks. But instead, I close the day with a -7 ticks.

Annoyingly, this trade did go on to go “long” but the market wanted to liquidate me first….

At the end of the day, the price ended up in a range. I did try and take one more trade, which I ended up stopping for a 1 tick “profit”. I had seen price give me a 2nd entry long, above the EMA. However, given the time of the day and the fact that it was roll over. I ended up in a long and slow bit of sideways movement.

Price tested my nerves, coming close to my stop loss, but it did eventually head in the direction I expected, long…

But after a lot of bouncing around. I closed the trade for a 1 tick profit.

Annoyingly and typically, after doing so. Price went on to reach my intended initial target.

Trading. It sucks. But I keep coming back…

End of day -6 ticks.