ICT Entry Model 2 — New York Open Setup

ICT Entry Model 2 explained — the NYSE open session model. The silver bullet window (09:50–10:10 EST), the dual AMD context (continuation vs reversal), SMT divergence confirmation, the 6-phase sequence, and the 11:00 EST exit rule.
Where Model 1 initiates the primary daily AMD at the London open, Model 2 operates within the AMD context London has already established. Understanding whether Model 2 is a continuation (London ERL not yet swept) or a reversal (London ERL swept + 1H CHoCH) before 09:30 EST is the most important pre-execution determination the Model 2 trader makes.

Key takeaways

  • Model 2 = the NYSE open session model. 6 phases. Silver bullet window: 09:50–10:10 EST. Exit ALL by 11:00 EST.
  • The dual AMD context: Context A (continuation, London ERL not swept, higher probability, default) vs Context B (reversal, London ERL swept + 1H CHoCH, 75% max, needs SMT).
  • Primary model for NQ/ES index traders. Secondary for forex (EUR/USD, GBP/USD). The NYSE open is the highest institutional event for US equity indices.
  • SMT divergence (NQ vs ES): NQ sweeps its pre-market low while ES holds = bullish SMT. The most powerful Model 2 confirmation.
  • Phase 3 (09:30–09:50 EST) = OBSERVATION ONLY. The NYSE Judas is faster and more violent than London’s. Wait for 09:50 EST.

What is ICT Entry Model 2?

Definition

  • ICT Entry Model 2 is the New York AM session entry model targeting the silver bullet window (09:50–10:10 EST): the 20-minute window following the NYSE open Judas sweep during which the MSS displacement and FVG entry zone typically form. Applies to forex pairs (EUR/USD, GBP/USD) and equity index futures (NQ, ES, MNQ, MES). For equity index traders, Model 2 is the PRIMARY daily entry model.

The dual AMD context — the Model 2-specific determination

CONTEXT A vs CONTEXT BICT
Context A (continuation — London ERL not swept) vs Context B (reversal — London ERL swept + CHoCH)Two panels. Left: Context A — London delivered upward but PDH not reached. NY continues in same direction. Right: Context B — London swept PDH and reversed. NY initiates opposing AMD. CONTEXT A: CONTINUATIONCONTEXT B: REVERSAL London ERL (PDH) NOT yet swept IPDA delivery still active NY extends London in SAME direction ★ HIGHEST probability 100% plan if checklist YES DEFAULT when uncertain London ERL (PDH) HAS been swept + 1H CHoCH post-sweep confirmed NY initiates NEW opposing AMD LOWER probability — more validation 75% max • Method B only • needs SMT requires explicit 4-part confirmation
The most important pre-execution question. Context A: London ERL not yet swept = continuation (higher probability, default). Context B: London ERL swept + 1H CHoCH = reversal (lower probability, 75% max, needs SMT + daily bias shift). When in doubt, default to Context A.

The 6-phase NY open session sequence

BULLISH MODEL 2 (CONTEXT A)5M NQ
Bullish Entry Model 2 Context A — 6-phase NY open sequence with candlesPre-market range box (Phase 2), NYSE open Judas sweep below (Phase 3), silver bullet MSS + FVG (Phase 4), entry at FVG CE (Phase 5), distribution to PDH (Phase 6). 07:00–09:2909:30–09:5009:50–10:1009:50–10:45to 11:00 P2: pre-marketP3: Judas (observe)★ P4: silver bulletP5: entryP6: manage PM High PM Low Judas extreme SSL swept ✓ OBSERVE ONLY ★ SB FVG P4: silver bullet ★ FVG CE = entry PDH Context A target stop (structural)
Bullish Model 2, Context A. Phase 2: pre-market range marked. Phase 3: NYSE Judas sweeps below the pre-market low (observe only). Phase 4: silver bullet MSS displacement + FVG at 09:50–10:10. Phase 5: retrace to FVG CE. Phase 6: distribution to PDH. Stop below Judas extreme. Exit ALL by 11:00 EST.

The silver bullet — Model 2’s primary macro window

The silver bullet (09:50–10:10 EST) is the 20-minute window after the NYSE open Judas when the MSS displacement and FVG consistently form. It is to Model 2 what the 02:33 EST macro is to Model 1. The NYSE opens at 09:30; the first 20 minutes (09:30–09:50) are the Judas observation phase; at 09:50 the MSS typically begins; 10:10 marks when the concentrated institutional order flow begins diffusing. Entries outside this window — particularly after 10:15 — carry lower institutional backing.
The silver bullet falls within the London-NY overlap (07:00–12:00 EST) — the highest-volume daily window. Both London and New York institutional participants are simultaneously active, producing the largest displacement candles and the most liquid FVG fills. This dual-institutional backing is why the silver bullet produces higher-quality setups than the post-London-close NY PM session.

SMT divergence — the Model 2 confirmation

At the NYSE open Judas sweep (Phase 3): check NQ vs ES simultaneously. Bullish SMT = NQ sweeps below its pre-market low while ES holds its equivalent low. NQ is the Judas; enter long NQ from the NQ silver bullet MSS FVG CE. Bearish SMT = ES sweeps above its pre-market high while NQ fails to confirm. The SMT check takes 30 seconds and is the most powerful Model 2 confirmation. Inverse SMT (ES swept, NQ held on a bullish setup) = do NOT enter — direction may be bearish.

Model 1 vs Model 2

MODEL 1 vs MODEL 2ICT
Model 1 (London open) vs Model 2 (NY open) — side-by-side comparisonTwo columns comparing session, macro window, reference range, instruments, AMD context, exit time, and unique feature. MODEL 1: LONDONMODEL 2: NEW YORK Session: 02:00–05:00 EST Macro: 02:33 EST Range: Asian range (20:00–01:59) Primary: EUR/USD, GBP/USD AMD: initiates primary daily AMD Exit: 05:00 EST Unique: 7 phases, FVG/OB entry Session: 09:30–11:00 EST ★ Macro: 09:50–10:10 (silver bullet) Range: pre-market (07:00–09:29) Primary: NQ, ES (+ EUR/USD) AMD: continues OR reverses London Exit: 11:00 EST Unique: dual context + SMT divergence SAME ENTRY MECHANICS • DIFFERENT SESSION • DIFFERENT CONTEXT DETERMINATION
Same mechanics, different session. Model 1 initiates the daily AMD at the London open. Model 2 continues or reverses it at the NYSE open. Key Model 2 additions: the dual AMD context determination, the silver bullet precision window, and SMT divergence between NQ and ES.

Common mistakes

Not determining Context A vs B before 09:30 EST

The most important Model 2 determination. Has the London ERL been swept? If yes + 1H CHoCH: Context B. If not: Context A. Not assessing the context = running the model blind.

Entering during Phase 3 (09:30–09:50)

The NYSE Judas is faster and more violent than London’s. The speed makes it especially tempting. Wait for 09:50. Phase 3 is observation only.

Running Context B at 100% without SMT confirmation

Context B = reversal = lower base probability. Requires: PDH swept + 1H CHoCH + daily bias shift + SMT divergence. Missing any = reduce or stand down. Maximum 75% plan.

Holding past 11:00 EST

The NY AM session window closes at 11:00 EST. The lunch hour (11:30–13:00) is low-volume and unpredictable. Exit ALL by 11:00. No exceptions.

Not checking SMT divergence between NQ and ES

The SMT takes 30 seconds and is the most powerful Model 2 confirmation. Inverse SMT (wrong index swept) = potential opposing direction. Skipping SMT = missing the strongest signal.

FAQ — ICT Entry Model 2

What is Entry Model 2? +
The NYSE open session model: 6 phases, silver bullet window (09:50–10:10 EST). Secondary for forex, primary for NQ/ES. Continues or reverses the London AMD.
Context A vs B? +
A = continuation (London ERL not swept, higher probability, default). B = reversal (London ERL swept + 1H CHoCH, 75% max, needs SMT). Default to A when uncertain.
Silver bullet window? +
09:50–10:10 EST. The 20 minutes after the NYSE Judas when MSS + FVG form. Model 2’s equivalent of the 02:33 EST macro.
Model 1 or Model 2? +
London timezone = M1 primary. US timezone = M2 primary. Index traders = M2 is THE model. Both can run together — they cover the two highest-probability daily windows.

Conclusion — Model 2 extends the AMD framework into the US session

Model 2 brings the same Judas → MSS → FVG sequence into the NYSE open — with the dual AMD context, silver bullet precision, SMT divergence, and the 11:00 EST exit. Together, Models 1 and 2 cover the two highest-probability daily entry windows. A trader running both operates within the IPDA’s two primary daily delivery windows: London initiates the AMD, New York continues or resolves it. Master one, and the other follows naturally.
The companion guides: Entry Model 1 covers the London session; the silver bullet guide covers the SB concept; the kill zones guide covers the NY AM timing; and the daily bias guide covers the Phase 1 analysis. Or join the mentorship for structured guidance through the Model 2 session routine.
Lio
Founder & ICT trading educator, LiquiditySweeps.com

Lio has traded ICT and Smart Money Concepts on forex majors and US indices since 2021 and built LiquiditySweeps.com to teach the framework the way it should be learned: in sequence, on real charts, with free live tools instead of paid indicators.

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