Quote from nexx:
yoohoo quick question for you.
Talking about candle formations what are the top candle formations you look for, like the ones that instantly draw you attention to it. Engulfing is one any more you recommend keeping an eye out for?
Good question as I run on autopilot and don't think ah there's a belt-hold, a piercing line etc. I trade off a 1 min bar chart but also keep a smaller 1 min candle chart beside it as BAR K/R's are not so easy to spot real fast on candles when you are looking at lots of timeframes. (Remember Bar K/R is different to a candle K/R)
Yes Engulfer, Doji, Harami, Candle K/R and to a lesser extent Piercing Line. Hanging Man & Hammers I tend to mentally classify as Doji types. The "3 candle formations" as a last resort (only Morn/Eve Star) as i would expect to be in the trade.
Steve Bigalow is very big on emotion and explains the thoughts and emotions behind each candle very well. That's something I often try to communicate. Try to get a feel for the market and move beyond just analysis - read "Blink".
Fluid moves, distinguishing quality fast moves from weaker ones and knife reversals are poorly taught in candles. They are essentials that are difficult to see on bar charts so I have spent a bit of time on them here.
Really all I need is a glance across many charts and timeframes. I look for tails, fluid moves, continuation/reversal fast knives and colour. I don't have time to analyse in detail - it just flows.
Bigalow is great but you'll have over 100 signals. Understand emotion in colours, tails, quality set ups and it will jump out without analysis. Of course it takes time, but it is like catching a very fast ball - with lots of practice there's no analysis because the brain can work much faster than that.