Curated by Andrew Lockwood, London Futures Exchange Veteran (35+ Years Exp)
The ICT Silver Bullet strategy is arguably one of the most talked-about concepts in modern trading. Popularized by the Inner Circle Trader (ICT), the bold claim surrounding this system is that mastering it could allow a trader to “quit their day job within 90 days”.While we take such marketing claims with a pinch of salt, the strategy remains a favourite among prop traders for one specific reason: it is time-based and rule-based. This strict structure limits you to specific one-hour windows, helping to eliminate the common rookie mistake of overtrading.
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The Core Logic: Time, Liquidity, and Displacement
The Silver Bullet is designed to catch a reversal as price moves from one level of short-term liquidity to another. It relies on a specific sequence of events: a liquidity sweep, a market structure shift, and a return to a Fair Value Gap (FVG).
However, unlike other strategies that you can hunt for all day, the Silver Bullet is only valid during three specific 60-minute windows each day.
The Three “Silver Bullet” Windows
If the setup does not appear during these times, you simply close your charts. All times are New York Local Time:
1. 3:00 AM – 4:00 AM (London Open Session)
2. 10:00 AM – 11:00 AM (New York AM Session)
3. 2:00 PM – 3:00 PM (New York PM Session)
Step-by-Step Strategy Rules
Step 1: Draw Your Liquidity Zones
Before the window opens, identify where the market is likely to reach. Focus on three key liquidity types:
• Daily Highs and Lows: The previous day’s range.
• Weekly Highs and Lows: For broader targets.
• Session Highs and Lows: Using an indicator like “Sessions by LuxAlgo” can help visualize previous session ranges automatically.
Step 2: Wait for the Sweep and Displacement
Once the trading window opens (e.g., 10:00 AM NY), wait for price to sweep one of your marked liquidity levels (taking out a high or low). Immediately after the sweep, look for displacement—a strong momentum candle that reverses direction and breaks market structure (e.g., creating a lower low after sweeping a high).
Step 3: The Entry (Fair Value Gap)
The displacement move must leave behind a Fair Value Gap (FVG). This is a three-candle pattern where the first and third candles do not overlap, leaving an imbalance.
• The Setup: Wait for price to retrace back into this FVG.
• The Entry: Enter the trade when price taps into the gap.
Step 4: The 15-Pip / 10-Point Rule
Before pulling the trigger, you must verify the range.
• Forex: There must be at least 15 pips of potential profit before price hits the next opposing liquidity level.
• Indices: There must be at least 10 points (or handles) of range.
Step 5: Stops and Targets
• Stop Loss: Place your stop above (for sells) or below (for buys) the first candle of the three-candle FVG formation.
• Target: The opposing liquidty level (e.g., if you swept the daily high, target the daily low or the nearest internal low).
Why is it called the “Silver Bullet”?
ICT loves metaphorical names. In folklore, a werewolf is a monster that cannot be killed by normal bullets; you can shoot it repeatedly, and it keeps coming. But a silver bullet kills the beast instantly. The market is the monster, and this specific, high-probability setup is your “silver bullet” to take it down.
🎥 [Watch the full video]
Keep the core rules and chart examples of this strategy at your fingertips with the Turtle Soup Strategy PDF. This guide is designed for educational use and offers a printable checklist format to help you maintain discipline and consistency in a simulated trading environment.
The PDF includes:
• The 5-Step Setup: A quick-reference guide to establishing liquidity, identifying the fakeout, and managing the trade.
• Confluence Checklists: Tips on combining the strategy with Fair Value Gaps (FVG) or oscillators for added confidence.
• Risk Management Protocols: Andrew’s guidelines on establishing risk in pips and sizing positions to stay within prop firm limits.
Ready to put these insights into practice?
A disciplined strategy requires an evaluation built to reward consistency. At Funded Trading Plus, we offer simulated programs designed to suit every style of trader. You can explore our streamlined one step challenge for complete trading autonomy, opt for our traditional two step evaluation if you prefer a structured, phased approach, or discover our instant funding program with no profit targets to begin trading a simulated funded account immediately. Choose the path that best fits your goals and test your edge in our simulated trading environment today.
Important Educational Disclaimer
All content is for educational purposes only and is not financial advice. All programs at Funded Trading Plus operate in a simulated environment using virtual funds; payouts are calculated from simulated profits in accordance with program terms. Past performance does not guarantee future re