ICT Macros (A+ High Probability Setups)

Summary

In this video, the creator delves into ICT macros, offering an in-depth exploration of timeframes and key market concepts like liquidity rates, market structure shifts, and fair value gaps. The video covers multiple trading sessions, highlighting specific macros such as the AM, PM, and London sessions. Through practical examples, the creator demonstrates how to identify and trade based on macros, emphasizing the importance of backtesting and forward testing. The use of macros in conjunction with Silver Bullet timeframes and entry models can increase the probability of successful trades. Viewers are encouraged to experiment and refine their strategies.

Takeaways

• 📈 Macros are specific periods of time where the market is likely to raid liquidity, cause a market structure shift, or provide a trade entry.
• ⏱️ A common macro timeframe is 10 minutes before and 10 minutes after each new hour, but it can be applied to different sessions and extended timeframes.
• 💹 PM session macros include 12:50–1:10, 1:50–2:10, 2:50–3:10, and 3:15–3:45, and they often generate entries through liquidity raids and inversion fair value gaps.
• 🌅 AM session macros, like 9:50–10:10 and 10:50–11:10, highlight key market points even if they don’t always provide direct trade entries.
• 🌍 London session macros extend beyond known times and can produce liquidity sweeps, breaker blocks, order blocks, and fair value gap inversions.
• 🔄 Not every macro produces perfect entries; approximately 60–70% of macros result in actionable trade opportunities.
• 🧩 Combining macros with Silver Bullet timeframes, higher timeframe imbalances, and patterns like Three Drives increases trade probability.
• 📊 Macros can be used to pre-plan trades, identify potential entries, and anticipate market behavior across different sessions.
• 💡 Forward and back testing of macros is crucial to understand recurring patterns and improve trading decision-making.
• 🛠️ Macros serve as time-based signals and should be used alongside price action, fair value gaps, and order blocks for higher accuracy.
• 📌 Even outside main trading hours, macros can provide insight into liquidity raids and market movements, offering additional trading opportunities.

Q & A

What is the definition of an ICT macro?

An ICT macro is a period of time when the market is expected to either rate liquidity, create a market structure shift, or provide an entry point. These periods are critical for identifying potential trade setups and can occur during specific timeframes in different trading sessions.

How do ICT macros apply to different trading sessions?

ICT macros can be found in various trading sessions, such as the London, AM, and PM sessions. Each session has key timeframes (like 10 minutes before and after the hour) that provide opportunities for liquidity raiding, market structure shifts, and entry points, which can be traded.

What does it mean for a macro to 'rate liquidity'?

When a macro 'rates liquidity,' it refers to the market moving to take out existing buy or sell orders at key price levels. This is typically seen as the market testing and removing liquidity before potentially reversing or continuing its move in a new direction.

What are 'fair value gaps,' and how are they used in ICT macros?

A fair value gap is a price area where the market has moved quickly, leaving behind an imbalance in the order book. These gaps are important because when the market returns to these levels, they often act as significant support or resistance, and can provide entry points for traders.

What is a 'market structure shift' and how is it related to ICT macros?

A market structure shift refers to a change in the prevailing trend or pattern of price movement, often identified when price breaks a significant high or low. In ICT macros, these shifts indicate potential reversal or continuation points, providing opportunities for trade entries.

What is the significance of the 'Silver Bullet' timeframes?

The Silver Bullet timeframes are specific periods during trading sessions that have a higher likelihood of significant price movement. These timeframes are especially useful when combined with ICT macros, as they often increase the probability of successful trades when liquidity raids or market structure shifts occur.

How should traders use the 10-minute before and after each hour rule?

Traders should observe the 10-minute period before and after each hour during trading sessions, as these times often show significant market behavior. This time-based approach is used to spot opportunities where the market delivers liquidity raids, shifts in market structure, or entry points.

What is an 'inversion fair value gap' and how does it affect trading decisions?

An inversion fair value gap occurs when the price breaks through a previously formed fair value gap and reverses direction. This is an important signal for traders, as it indicates a potential entry point—traders can enter trades when the market respects the new inversion gap, with stops placed at key levels.

How do you combine macros with Silver Bullet timeframes for better trading results?

Combining macros with Silver Bullet timeframes enhances trade setups by increasing the probability of success. Macros can provide the market context (liquidity raids, shifts), and Silver Bullet timeframes highlight windows of time when the market is most likely to deliver price movement. By aligning both, traders improve their entry and exit timing.

Can ICT macros be applied to all timeframes, or are they limited to specific ones?

ICT macros can be applied to all timeframes, though their effectiveness varies. The 10-minute before and after each hour rule is particularly useful on higher timeframes, but these principles can also be adapted to shorter timeframes for day trading or scalping strategies.