"Why does the price always reach my stop... then move in the right direction?"
This is not bad luck.
This is searching for the stop - it's intended
Let's analyze it so you can stop being the liquidity
... and start trading like those who launched it
What is Stop Hunt?
Stop hunting is a move intended to:
1. Activate stop losses
2. Create liquidity
3. Let smart money enter with minimal slippage
It's not just random volatility - it's a strategy
Common stop hunting patterns
1. Sweep liquidity before the reversal
• The price rises slightly above the swing high
• Eliminating dodgy traders + Short stops
• Immediate rejection → Nuclear prices
→ The Bull Trap is Disguised
Counter business at the lows = Bear trap
2. False breakout (Phantom BOS)
• Structure broken → Traders enter a breakout
• Price fails to hold → Rushes back inside the range
• Weak hands flushed
Confirmation with low trading volume or divergence (CVD/OI)
3. Open session spike
• London or New York open → Quick rise/fall
• Captures stops from overnight builds
• Reflects violently within minutes
These movements are often manufactured by algorithms
4. Chase news-based stops
• Sudden pump/dump just before major news
• Everyone jumps → Immediately trapped
• Reversal sweeps both sides
Whales use volatility and emotion to harvest liquidity
How to detect stop hunting formation
1. The price approaches the main swing high/low
2. A series of equal highs/lows = Comfort stops
3. Time of low liquidity or approaching session open
4. Quick wick candle + Rejection candle
5. Divergence in CVD or RSI = Buyers/Sellers trapped
The real strategy: Get rid of the hunt
1. Identify clear liquidity zones (equal highs/lows)
2. Wait for a sharp wick in that area
3. Watch for immediate rejection
4. Confirmation through increased volume or CVD divergence
5. Enter against the hunting stop
6. Target the other side of the range / imbalance
Use a tight stop behind the trap wick — High RR setups
Bonus: Combine with FVG or OB
Stop searching for:
• Fair value gap (FVG)
• Order block (OB)
• Rejection wick
= Main sniper entry
The final idea:
Smart money does not chase price.
They are looking for your emotions, your stops, your fears.
Look for the hunt.
Dissolve the trap.
Trade with the killers - not the crowd
