Video Summary

The 3 Scalping Setups That Make Me A Living - John Kurisko

Etienne Crete - Desire To TRADE

Main takeaways
01

Have a detailed trading business plan: predefine entries, exits, stops and position rules to avoid overtrading.

02

Three core scalping setups: quad rotation (multi-timeframe stochastic oversold), divergence trades, and bull/bear flag continuations.

03

Stochastic oscillator + divergence is central; John uses 1‑ and 5‑minute charts for scalps and daily for longer setups.

04

Key indicators: 20/50/200 EMAs, VWAP, and custom stochastic-based signals; place stops under the last low and move stops per plan.

05

Patience and discipline beat volume—wait for the 'holy grail' quad divergence setup rather than forcing trades.

Key moments
Questions answered

What does John mean by a 'trading business plan'?

A trading business plan is a predefined model that specifies which setups to trade, exact entry and exit criteria, stop placement, and rules for moving stops and position management to prevent overtrading.

What is the quad rotation setup?

Quad rotation is when stochastic indicators across multiple timeframes concurrently drop into oversold territory (below ~20), signaling a high-probability coordinated reversal for a scalp.

How does John use divergence in his scalps?

He looks for discrepancies between price action and stochastic momentum—e.g., price making lower lows while stochastics make higher lows—to identify potential reversals and high-quality entries.

Which indicators and risk rules are central to his approach?

John uses stochastics, 20/50/200 EMAs and VWAP, plus personal pivots; risk rules include placing stops under the last low (or put stop levels in the plan) and moving stops per the business plan.

The Importance of a Trading Business Plan 03:40

"A business plan is a successful model of trading that I could look at and say, 'Is this my product? I have to find this product to make money.'"

  • John stresses the significance of having a well-defined business plan in trading, likening it to a strategy that professionals use in competitive fields. He notes that many traders fail, with statistics indicating that 90% do not succeed. This failure often results from the lack of a structured approach, as most individuals believe they can simply enter the market without a plan.

  • He draws a parallel between trading and other competitive activities, emphasizing that achieving success requires planning and discipline. Just as professional athletes must hone their skills and strategies, traders too must develop a schedule and methodology that maximizes their opportunities.

  • John elaborates on his personal experience, stating that he looks for specific setups in the market that align with his business plan. He acknowledges the necessity of keeping trades within established parameters to avoid recklessness and overtrading.

Discipline and Patience in Trading 03:18

"Discipline is a major issue with traders; most traders will become over traders."

  • The discussion shifts to the vital traits of discipline and patience, which John identifies as common pitfalls for traders. He asserts that the absence of these qualities often leads to excessive trading, which can ultimately result in losses.

  • He emphasizes that successful trading requires traders to be in front of their computers at opportune moments to capitalize on the right trades. This commitment involves waiting for the right setup rather than forcing trades, which can be detrimental.

  • John also addresses the idea of being a full-time trader. He acknowledges that full-time trading means maintaining focus and being present during trading hours to ensure that opportunities are not missed.

Developing Effective Trading Setups 07:03

"Over the years, I have developed my own indicator, and the results are just amazing."

  • John discusses his approach to identifying successful trading setups, revealing that he utilizes his custom indicators alongside established methods like stochastic oscillators and divergence trading. He notes that combining these elements can lead to consistent results.

  • He shares insight into his proprietary system, referred to as "quad rotation," which he has crafted over many years of trading experience. This indicator helps him to discern the best times to enter or exit trades.

  • By focusing on setups that yield a high success rate—stating he achieves about 95% success under ideal conditions—John encourages traders to wait for perfect setups instead of chasing numerous trades throughout the day. He clarifies that finding setups that consistently work reduces the stress and uncertainty typically associated with day trading.

Trading Techniques Across Time Frames 08:43

"I apply trade setups on daily charts for long-term trades and on my 1-minute and 5-minute time frames for scalps."

  • Different trading techniques can be utilized across various time frames, allowing traders to adapt their strategies according to their goals. Using daily charts is beneficial for long-term trades, while shorter time frames like 1-minute or 5-minute charts are effective for scalping. Some traders even experiment with 10-second charts to maximize their opportunities in fast-moving markets.

Trading Setups and Business Plans 10:54

"It's very important to define everything before you get into a trade; your entry criteria, exit criteria, and risk management need to be pre-defined."

  • A solid trading plan acts as a roadmap for success. Traders are encouraged to meticulously detail their business plans, including entry and exit strategies. This structured approach prevents overtrading and losses, as it encourages a disciplined mindset while identifying setups in the market. Setting automatic stop criteria and knowing the specifics of risk management are crucial components of an effective trading strategy.

Stochastic Indicators and Momentum Trading 14:04

"Stochastics measure momentum and can indicate divergences between price action and internal momentum."

  • Stochastic indicators serve as an essential tool in trading. They measure the location of the current closing price relative to past closes, allowing traders to analyze momentum trends. Understanding how these indicators function and recognizing bullish or bearish divergences is fundamental. For instance, while price might appear to be dropping, the internal momentum can show signs of recovery, potentially signaling a trading opportunity.

The Concept of Divergence in Trading 16:14

"Divergences are key indicators; they show discrepancies between price action and internal momentum, helping traders predict potential reversals."

  • Divergence occurs when the price action moves contrary to momentum indicators, often indicating a potential reversal in the market trend. For example, a price decline may not align with the internal momentum increasing, suggesting an opportunity to enter a position. Traders should pay close attention to these signals as they can lead to profitable trades when approached with discipline and patience.

Understanding Divergence in Trading 17:28

Divergence indicates when momentum dries up, suggesting a potential reversal in price direction.

  • Divergence is a critical concept in trading, identifying when the momentum behind price movements slows despite the price continuing in its current direction. For example, a sell-side divergence occurs when prices rise while momentum indicators, such as stochastic oscillators, show a decrease.

  • This setup is observable on various time frames, with the five-minute and one-minute charts being particularly popular for scalping trades. Identifying divergences on higher time frames, like daily charts, can indicate stronger trading opportunities.

  • Traders can recognize divergence visually by looking for higher price highs accompanied by lower highs in momentum indicators, highlighting potential market reversals.

The Quad Rotation Setup 20:04

A quad rotation occurs when multiple time frames become oversold simultaneously, signaling a potential price shift.

  • The quad rotation is an advanced trading concept that combines multiple time frames converging to create a more reliable trading signal. It's defined as a scenario where all the stochastic indicators across various time frames fall below the 20 level simultaneously.

  • In practice, this concept helps traders time their entries more effectively. Identifying this setup means monitoring different candles and their corresponding stochastics to pinpoint optimal trade entries.

  • The quad rotation setup significantly increases the likelihood of capturing major price movements since it indicates synchronized market pressure across different time frames.

Risk Management and Trade Execution 23:01

Proper risk management involves defining a stop right under the last low when entering a trade.

  • Successful trading relies heavily on effective risk management, which is achieved by defining stop-loss levels before entering trades. This practice minimizes potential losses and takes the gamble out of trading.

  • Traders tend to struggle with emotional decision-making tied to buying when the market appears favorable. However, it's crucial to buy during perceived weaknesses, such as a lower price in an overall uptrend.

  • Trusting the system and following the identified setups are vital for successful trading, ensuring that emotions do not dictate decisions and that trades are executed based on established strategies.

The Process of Identifying Trading Strategies 26:29

"There is a trade here called an embedded stochastic level."

  • John Kurisko discusses a unique trading concept known as an embedded stochastic level, which is characterized when the stochastic indicator is above 90 and shows a certain rotation. This setup is identified as a bull flag, which Kurisko mentions he uniquely recognizes using stochastics.

  • He explains how integration of various indicators may overwhelm beginner traders, yet emphasizes the importance of understanding how they function over time, suggesting that visual clutter can be navigated successfully with experience.

Essential Indicators on Charts 28:11

"I use a Ninja Trader platform... these are my standard go-to indicators."

  • Kurisko shares his standard indicators he uses on the Ninja Trader platform, which include the 20, 50, and 200 period Exponential Moving Averages (EMAs), and mentions the importance of the VWAP indicator.

  • He discusses his personal support and resistance levels drawn on the chart, key points he maintains throughout the trading day to help identify significant price movement areas.

The Quad Rotation and Divergence Setup 29:37

"This is what I call the Holy Grail... a quad divergence, the best setup out there."

  • He introduces the concept of a quad rotation combined with divergence, describing it as a highly effective trading setup with a successful track record. Kurisko asserts that if he were to teach his children about trading, he would focus on this setup as it has a high probability of success.

  • Emphasizing patience in trading, he advises waiting for this optimal setup, as it offers a solid chance for profit and favorable positions in the market.

Execution of a Buy Signal 30:31

"This is our Buy Signal... price has a pullback in an organized fashion."

  • Kurisko outlines the conditions that define a "super signal" buy strategy which involves recognizing a price retracement in an organized manner, and identifying a clear channel through a series of pivots.

  • He emphasizes that as the stochastic bands drop under the 20 line and then turn back up, this signals when to enter a trade. The technique incorporates placing stops strategically under the low of a price pullback for optimized risk management.

The Bull Flag Setup 33:42

"A flag is a continuation pattern... something I would trade if the market’s trending nicely."

  • He explains the bull flag setup as a market continuation pattern where the price aggressively moves up off a 20 EMA and then creates a pullback to the EMA to indicate continuation.

  • Kurisko stresses the significance of observing whether the stochastic indicators remain above critical levels to confirm strong trends, ultimately advising traders to enter the market when the stochastic indicator hits specified levels indicating strength in the trade.

Scalping Setup Effectiveness 35:34

"If you have a system that gives you really good results, like maybe 75% to 80% of the time, that's still pretty good in trading."

  • A successful scalping strategy should yield at least 75% to 80% winning trades. Even with a 20% to 25% loss rate, traders might find this acceptable.

  • Analyzing setups with a trading chart can help identify when a setup weakens. This allows traders to eliminate approximately 50% of their potential losses by adhering to specific rules.

Importance of Entry and Exit Plans 36:25

"Having a business plan means you have to have an entry and an exit plan."

  • Successful trading requires a clear entry and exit plan, allowing traders to manage their positions effectively without gambling on how far a trade will go.

  • Proactive management of trades includes determining the exact point to exit a losing trade rather than hoping it will reverse.

Strategies in Downtrending Markets 37:30

"Identifying a bear flag is very simple by watching the rotation."

  • In a downtrending market, traders should look for buying opportunities at lower trend lines only when they signal a potential upward rotation.

  • Employing specific rules can mitigate the risks associated with counter-trending trades. One should sell on rotations when indicators remain in the bearish territory.

The Role of Stochastics in Trading Decisions 38:21

"A fast rotation with embedded stochastics on the bottom is a must-take-off trade."

  • Traders should pay attention to stochastic indicators as they can signal critical trading opportunities. Falling below a certain threshold indicates weakness in the trend.

  • If a trader finds themselves behind in executing trades due to delayed entry or exit, it can severely impact their profitability.

Continuous Engagement with the Market 40:02

"For successful trading, it’s crucial to stay informed and engaged throughout the trading day."

  • Successful traders often spend their entire day monitoring the markets, engaging in discussions, and responding to live queries. This active presence helps in identifying potential trades promptly.

  • Utilizing apps to share signals allows traders to remain updated even when they are not in front of their trading screens, ensuring they don't miss critical opportunities.

The Significance of Divergences in Trading Channels 43:19

"If you find a channel and look for a divergence, that’s going to be your channel breakout every time."

  • Recognizing divergences in established channels is key to predicting breakout opportunities. When a defined pattern appears, traders should watch for divergences that typically indicate a potential price shift.

  • Placing stops at strategic points is essential for risk management, especially at the lows of candles where breakouts or reversals occur frequently.

Identifying a Bear Flag 44:20

"It's not just about looking at the flag and saying it looks like a bear flag; I know it's a bear flag because I understand the internals."

  • The approach to identifying trading patterns, specifically bear flags, should be analytical rather than superficial. It is essential to comprehend the underlying internals that signify a true bear flag.

  • This method allows for a clearer distinction between genuine bear flags and false signals, enhancing the accuracy of trades.

  • The importance of recognizing the scientific and mathematical aspects of trading is emphasized, suggesting that a strategic mindset yields better results.

Access to Trading Resources 45:01

"I have a link for all your subscribers where you can access everything from alerts to chat rooms and a community of hundreds of traders trading every day together."

  • The speaker offers a free resource for subscribers, which includes access to various trading alerts, templates, and community chat rooms designed for shared learning and support among traders.

  • This platform encourages engagement and collaboration among traders, providing an environment conducive to personal growth and skill development in trading.

  • Interested individuals are invited to connect and ask questions, indicating a willingness to assist others on their trading journey.