Home

›

Articles

›

Entry Models & Strategies

Entry Models & Strategies

ICT Entry Model 1 — London Open Setup

ICT Entry Model 1 explained — the primary London open session model. The 7-phase sequence from Sunday bias to 05:00 EST exit, the 6 qualifying conditions, 3 stop options, 3-tier target hierarchy, and the complete bullish vs bearish framework.

ICT Entry Model 1 is the London open session model — the primary, highest-probability daily entry framework. Built around the most predictable institutional event: the London session open at 02:00 EST, when European order flow initiates the primary daily AMD cycle. The model has a defined pre-session routine, a defined observation window, a defined entry protocol, and a defined exit time. Nothing is ambiguous if the preparation is complete.

Key takeaways

Model 1 = the London open session entry model. 7 phases from Sunday bias to 05:00 EST exit. The 2022 model operationalised.
6 qualifying conditions required for standard size. Missing any one = reduce to 50–75% or stand down.
Phase 4 (02:00–02:40 EST) = OBSERVATION ONLY. Do NOT enter during the Judas sweep.
Phase 5 (02:33+ EST): MSS displacement + FVG in the correct premium/discount zone = the entry zone.
3-tier target: T1 IRL (50% partial, move to BE) → T2 PDH (trail remaining) → T3 PWH (max alignment only). Exit ALL by 05:00 EST.

What is ICT Entry Model 1?

Definition

ICT Entry Model 1 is the daily London open session entry model — the primary execution framework for the 2022 model applied to the London session window (02:00–05:00 EST). “Model 1” because it targets the London AMD cycle: the highest institutional order flow event of the daily forex session, where the Judas sweep and MSS occur with the most consistent timing at the 02:33 EST macro window. Primary instrument: EUR/USD.

Six qualifying conditions

1. Confirmed daily bias (bullish or bearish)

From the pre-session analysis. Aligned with weekly structure for full confidence.

2. Qualified Asian range (≥8 pips on EUR/USD)

Under 8 pips: Judas sweep will be imprecise. Reduce to 50% or skip.

3. London Judas sweep of the correct Asian range boundary

Bullish: sweeps below Asian low (SSL). Bearish: sweeps above Asian high (BSL).

4. MSS displacement creating a valid FVG in the correct zone

At or after the 02:33 EST macro window. FVG CE must be in discount (bullish) or premium (bearish).

5. Retracement to the FVG CE or a valid 1H OB

Price must pull back to the entry zone. No chasing.

6. LTF CHoCH within the FVG zone (Method B) or clean limit fill (Method A)

The entry trigger. Method A = limit at FVG CE. Method B = market entry on LTF CHoCH.

The 7-phase London session sequence

BULLISH MODEL 1 — FULL SEQUENCE5M

The complete bullish Model 1 sequence. Phase 3: Asian range marked (small candles). Phase 4: Judas sweeps below the Asian low (observe only). Phase 5: MSS displacement candle + FVG at 02:33+. Phase 6: price retraces to FVG CE (entry). Phase 7: distribution candles deliver to PDH. Stop below the Judas extreme wick. Exit ALL by 05:00 EST.

Bullish vs bearish Model 1

BULLISH vs BEARISH MODEL 1ICT

Perfect mirror. Every step inverts: bullish sweeps SSL below, bearish sweeps BSL above. Bullish enters from discount FVG, bearish from premium FVG. Bullish targets PDH, bearish targets PDL. The weekly structural alignment determines which variant to run.

Three stop placement options

3 STOP OPTIONSEUR/USD

Three options, one selection rule. Use the tightest stop the entry quality justifies. Strong FVG + Method A = tight stop (highest R:R). Moderate FVG + Method B = structural stop (safest default). FVG within a 1H OB = OB stop.

Three-tier target hierarchy

T1: IRL — mandatory partial (50%)

The first internal range liquidity above the entry: nearest unmitigated FVG or OB above, or the 1H CE. Take 50% here. Move stop to break-even.

T2: PDH — primary ERL target

PDH (prior day high). Trail remaining 50% on 5M bullish BOS events (stop below each new 5M swing low). This is the standard daily AMD distribution target.

T3: PWH — extended ERL (maximum alignment only)

PWH (prior week high). Hold 25% of original position toward this target only after PDH is swept, and only on primary delivery days (Tue–Wed) with maximum 4-timeframe alignment.

The 05:00 EST exit rule

Exit ALL remaining position at 05:00 EST at market. No exceptions. The London session AMD window is closed. Holding beyond 05:00 EST is a different model.

Non-execution conditions

High-impact news during 02:00–05:00 EST

Skip or 25% plan. News can override the structural bias temporarily.

Monday

75% maximum, Method B only. Monday is the weekly accumulation phase — lower probability for sustained distribution.

AMD already complete before 02:33 EST

If both Judas and MSS occurred before the primary macro window: stand down. The model’s timing structure has been bypassed.

No valid FVG or OB in the correct zone

No discount FVG on a bullish day, no premium FVG on a bearish day: stand down. Do not enter without a valid PD array.

Common mistakes

Entering during Phase 4 (the Judas sweep)

Phase 4 is OBSERVATION ONLY. The Judas is Phase 2 manipulation. Entering during it = entering the wrong side just before Phase 5 reverses it.

Chasing when the FVG CE is missed

If price moves directly to PDH without retracing to the FVG CE: the entry is missed. Do not chase. The model requires the retracement fill.

Holding past 05:00 EST

The London AMD window is closed at 05:00 EST. Holding beyond = a different model. Exit ALL at 05:00. No exceptions.

Running Model 1 against weekly structure

A bullish Model 1 against bearish weekly structure is reduced probability regardless of how clean the daily setup looks. Weekly alignment is Step 1 for a reason.

Using tight stop on a moderate FVG

A tight stop (3–8 pips) requires a Strong FVG with Method A limit entry. A moderate FVG with Method B needs the structural stop (10–30 pips). Match stop width to entry quality.

FAQ — ICT Entry Model 1

What is Entry Model 1? +

The primary London open session model: 7 phases from Sunday bias to 05:00 EST exit. Targets the London AMD at the 02:33 EST macro window. A session routine, not a chart pattern.

When NOT to run it? +

6 conditions: high-impact news, Monday, AMD complete before 02:33, no valid FVG/OB, ambiguous bias, Asian range under 8 pips. Any one = reduce or stand down.

Stop placement? +

3 options: tight (FVG far, 3–8 pips), structural (Judas wick, 10–30 pips), OB stop (1H OB, 8–20 pips). Rule: tightest the entry quality justifies.

Target? +

3-tier: T1 IRL (50% partial, move to BE), T2 PDH (trail remaining), T3 PWH (max alignment Tue/Wed only). Exit ALL by 05:00 EST. No exceptions.

Conclusion — Model 1 is a routine, not a pattern

ICT Entry Model 1 has seven phases, six qualifying conditions, three stop options, and one absolute exit rule. Nothing is left to real-time discretion if the preparation is complete. The non-execution conditions are not obstacles — they are the model’s quality filter. Applying Model 1 selectively on the days when all conditions are met, with the correct plan size, and the complete 7-phase sequence executed from Sunday to exit — this discipline is what converts the concept into a reproducible, edge-positive framework.

The companion guides: the 2022 model guide provides the foundational session framework; the daily bias guide covers Phases 1–2; the Asian range guide covers Phase 3; the Judas swing guide covers Phase 4; the MSS guide covers Phase 5; and the FVG guide covers the entry zone. Or join the mentorship for structured guidance through every phase of the London 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.

About All articles Mentorship

Ready to go further?

The mentorship programme covers the full framework — weekly live sessions, daily bias review, and personal trade review on every entry you submit.

Quick check

It is 02:15 EST on a bullish bias day. EUR/USD has just swept below the Asian range low with a large bearish candle. What should you do?

✓ Correct. Phase 4 (02:00–02:40 EST) is OBSERVATION ONLY. The Judas sweep is Phase 2 manipulation — the institution is collecting SSL below the Asian low before the Phase 3 bullish distribution. Entering during the Judas means entering the wrong side just before Phase 5 reverses it. Wait for Phase 5 (MSS + FVG).