[TRADEZILLA]

I mainly trade the e-mini after 11am/pt or 2pm/et and found that to be a better time fir directional moves.

I've just started trading the mornings as well and found it more difficult but have been having some success trading in the direction of the opening bias and then reverse on the 1'st fade usually around 15 minute after the opening or so. I only do it on 1 contract but it has been working so far.. Am I approaching it correctly?

Has anyone here been consistently success trading the opening bell? IF so, I'd like to hear about your approach to the opening bell..

Much thanks,
Tradezilla

[TheNegotiator]

I find that you really have to have a plan given the phase of the overall short term auction. If you try to trade the open in the same way every day without giving thought to the auction, you'll likely get nailed before the day even starts properly. Today for example in the ES, you might have thought that it'd be a great buy considering the 'strength' over the last couple of days. However, given that it was at the top of short term balance and uncertainties remain, the trade was to sell to value. It's not always as simple as following the stronger type of participant though. Much of the time, you do get two-way action on open and waiting for the first push would get you caught in the move back. So my answer is that it depends on the day. I think trade it if you see some good opportunities if not don't. The other thing is that certain reference prices tend to work better than others depending on the participants present. OTF as longer term participants are referred to sometimes generally don't care too much about price, so if you can spot that type of action early on, going with it is not a bad idea.

[TRADEZILLA]

I don't only trade like that only of course. I prepare with

market internals the night before
30min chart evaluation
S/R lines including pre-market where I decide my trades/stops
Pre-market chart pattern
Opening tones & etc..

I then put it all together and decide to trade or not.. My method has been working thus far but I don't want to get too happy before a major loss, since the run time is so short but it has def got me interested in some morning methods..

I'd like to hear from other traders that has been consistently profitable playing the morning moves..

Much thanks,
Tradezilla

[Tradewinds]

It is impossible to know what is in the collective minds of all the traders and investors and what they are going to do. All you can do is look for signs of what the majority is doing. About the only sure thing you can count on, is that the price will probably slow down and get choppy a few minutes before the news release. And there will be a lot of volatility the second the news comes out. I don't try to guess what the news report will do to the market. Just be aware when the news releases are coming out, and go with the flow.

[TRADEZILLA]

The market is one big guessing game and we all do our best and have reasons why we guess the way we do..

What types of indications do you use to clue you in for your morning trades?

In the past, I've always stayed away from the mornings because it is so volatile but I know somebody is capitalizing on that volatility.. and if you know how not just in theory but have been consistent at it, I'd like to know.. In return, I can share my method how I scalp the ES.. Scalping is a lot of hard work but the R/R decent and the overall net result is good..

[TRADEZILLA]

This morning was a very tricky trade. The pre-opening looked like the market wants to go lower then on a dime exploded to the upside.. The only thing that clued us in was the pre-market support zone.. Did anyone catch that move?

I missed the move down and up but did catch the 2 shorts of the day at 7:30am&9:45am PT for a 4 1/2/2 point move today for a total of 6 1/2. I normally would not have taken those shorts but my internal indicators showed a reversal..

I'm curious to hear from anyone that caught that move up because you are either have balls of steel or an incredible methodology.. Anyone care to offer their input?

[phantom]

Originally Posted by TRADEZILLA »

This morning was a very tricky trade. The pre-opening looked like the market wants to go lower then on a dime exploded to the upside.. The only thing that clued us in was the pre-market support zone.. Did anyone catch that move?

I missed the move down and up but did catch the 2 shorts of the day at 7:30am&9:45am PT for a 4 1/2/2 point move today for a total of 6 1/2. I normally would not have taken those shorts but my internal indicators showed a reversal..

I'm curious to hear from anyone that caught that move up because you are either have balls of steel or an incredible methodology.. Anyone care to offer their input?

I assume you are talking about the emini SP? The upside move began just prior to 5 am MDT according to the 2 minute chart I'm looking at, and it rose fairly gradually until 0830 am. Plenty of time to get in on that move...

Are we on the same page here?

Phantom

[TRADEZILLA]

Phantom,
You're absolutely right.. That move began much earlier than the open with a nice set up in the pre-market. If you missed that move in the pre-market, how would anyone know to take that trade at the opening bell? since the pre market has low volumes and the opening bell has much higher volumes.. The only thing I see is the trend line that extended from pre-market but that would still be a gutsy move. I don't see how a trader would see a confirmation in time to see that trade, though spectacular...