5-Minute Expiry Strategy
A structured approach to 5-minute trades using Smart Money concepts. Not a magic indicator — a framework for understanding when and why to enter.
Why 5 Minutes?
- Less noise than 60-second trades
- More setups than hourly timeframes
- Enough time for price action to develop
- Still quick feedback for learning
60-second trades are mostly gambling. 5 minutes gives your analysis time to work.
The Framework
Step 1Check higher timeframe trend (15M/1H)
Step 2Identify key liquidity zones
Step 3Wait for sweep + reaction
Step 4Enter on confirmation, 5M expiry
Step-by-Step
1. Higher Timeframe Bias
On 15M or 1H chart, determine:
- Is price making Higher Highs + Higher Lows? = Bullish bias
- Is price making Lower Highs + Lower Lows? = Bearish bias
- Unclear? = No trade
2. Identify Liquidity
Look for obvious areas where stops are sitting:
- Equal highs/lows (flat tops/bottoms)
- Obvious swing points
- Round numbers
3. Wait for Sweep
Price often sweeps these levels before reversing. Wait for:
- Price to push through the liquidity zone
- Quick rejection (wick, engulfing candle)
- Return back into range
4. Entry
Enter in direction of higher timeframe bias after sweep confirms. Set 5-minute expiry.
When NOT to Trade
- ❌ During major news events
- ❌ When higher TF structure is unclear
- ❌ When price is ranging with no clear levels
- ❌ First 30 minutes of session (high volatility)
- ❌ Last 30 minutes before close
This Isn't Magic
No strategy wins 100%. This framework gives you:
- Structure instead of random entries
- Higher probability setups
- Clear reasoning for each trade
Expected win rate: 55-65% when executed properly. Combined with 1-2% risk per trade, that's sustainable profitability.