Start with Micro Contracts, End with Mastery

1. The 90% Failure Rate Isn’t an Accident — It’s Designed

The futures market is a battlefield, and most enter unarmed:

• No system

• No journal

• No understanding of market structure

• Over leveraged positions chasing “smart money” buzzwords they don’t understand

This post is about rebuilding from the ground up with a simple, mechanical plan.

It’s not glamorous. But it works.

2. Stop Chasing – Start Building

Start Small. Stay in Control.

• Trade micro contracts only (MNQ, MES, MCL, etc.)

• If in Forex, max size = 1 lot (ideally 0.5)

• Target = $50/day

• Goal = consistency, not adrenaline

When you can make $50 a day for 10 sessions straight, you’re doing what 90% can’t.

3. The Strategy: ORB (Opening Range Breakout)

The ORB works because it’s built on structure. It uses the volatility of the first 30–90 minutes of the NY session — the most liquid time in futures.

Mechanical ORB Setup:

• Market: MNQ (Micro Nasdaq)

• Time Window: 9:30 AM – 11:00 AM EST

• Step 1: Wait for the first 30-minute candle to close

• Step 2: Mark the high and low — this is your range

• Step 3:

  • Go long if price breaks & closes above the high

  • Go short if price breaks & closes below the low

• Step 4: Confirm breakout with a strong 5-minute engulfing candle

• Step 5:

  • Stop Loss: Inside opposite end of the range

  • Target: 2x your risk (minimum)

4. But First – Read Market Structure

“What is the market doing right now?”

Before you apply any strategy, ask that.

There are only 3 structures:

1. Bullish: Higher highs, higher lows → bias long

2. Bearish: Lower highs, lower lows → bias short

3. Neutral: Sideways, chop → wait

Use the 1H or 4H chart.
If the market is ranging or retracing, avoid blind ORB trades.
Let context drive conviction.

5. Support & Resistance: The Missing Ingredient

Understanding support and resistance gives you a serious edge.

How to Plot Them:

• Zoom out to 1H and 4H

• Mark:

  • Major swing highs and lows

  • Levels where price reacted 2+ times

  • Gaps or imbalance zones

• Always check:

  • Is your breakout near a key level?

  • Are you trading into resistance or away from it?

🚫 Never go long into major resistance.
🚫 Never short into strong support.

Your ORB trade is stronger when it respects S/R or uses them as fuel (e.g., break and retest of resistance turned support).

6. The Real Plan: $50 Repeated, Not $500 Hoped

Here’s the actual growth path:

2-Week Progression Plan

WeekMax SizeTarget per TradeMax TradesDaily Goal1–21 MNQ / 0.5 lots$25–501$50/day3–42 MNQ / 1 lot$50–1001$100/day5–63–4 MNQ$100–1501$150/day

Make $50/day for 10 days straight and you’re ahead of 90% of retail traders.

7. Trader Discipline Checklist

Before ANY trade, ask:

• ❓ Is the market bullish, bearish, or neutral?

• 🟩 Am I trading with the structure?

• 📏 Does the ORB setup meet all rules?

• 🧱 Are there any nearby support/resistance levels that will block this trade?

• ✍️ Did I log the trade?

8. Final Word: Real Traders Build, Not Guess

• You don’t need 6 indicators.

• You don’t need a mentor who charges $1,999 and shows no live trades.

• You don’t need to take 10 trades a day.

You need:

• One setup (ORB)

• One market (like MNQ)

• One focus: Read structure → respect support/resistance → execute with risk

Repeat $50 until it becomes muscle memory. Then scale.

This is how real consistency is built — not bought.

Want the Tools?

I’ll build you:

• A free ORB trading journal template

• A support/resistance cheat sheet

• A printable daily checklist

Say the word, and I’ll drop the full package.

Disclaimer

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We are not financial advisors, brokers, or licensed investment professionals. All content published on this website, including blog posts, trade setups, charts, commentary, and visual media, reflects our own opinions and market analysis. It should not be interpreted as financial advice or a recommendation to buy or sell any financial instrument.

Trading futures, forex, and other leveraged products involves significant risk and is not suitable for every investor. You should carefully consider your level of experience, risk tolerance, and investment objectives before engaging in any trading activity. Always do your own research and consult with a qualified financial advisor before making any trading decisions. Staakd is not liable for any loss or damage arising directly or indirectly from reliance on any information provided on this site or in associated content. Past performance does not guarantee future results. By using this site, you acknowledge and agree to this disclaimer in full.