ICT London Open Strategy
Master the ICT London Open — the prime manipulation window where the daily high or low is formed. Learn Judas Swing setups, Asian range sweeps, and London session execution.
Why London Open Matters
The London session open is the most important time of the trading day in ICT methodology. This is when:
- The daily manipulation (Judas Swing) typically occurs
- The daily HIGH or LOW is most often formed
- The Asian session range gets swept
- Maximum volatility in EUR, GBP, and Gold
Studies show that the daily high or low is formed during the London Kill Zone over 60% of the time. This makes London Open the highest-probability session for reversal setups.
London Open Timing
| Phase | EST | BD Time | Purpose |
|---|---|---|---|
| Pre-London | 1:00 - 2:00 AM | 11:00 AM - 12:00 PM | Mark Asian range |
| London KZ Start | 2:00 AM | 12:00 PM | Manipulation begins |
| Peak Manipulation | 2:30 - 3:30 AM | 12:30 - 1:30 PM | Judas Swing forms |
| London KZ End | 5:00 AM | 3:00 PM | Setup should be active |
London Open Trading Model
Step 1: Mark the Asian Range
Before London opens, mark:
- Asian Session High (ASH)
- Asian Session Low (ASL)
- Asian midpoint (50%)
- Any equal highs/lows within the range
Step 2: Determine Daily Bias
- Is today expected to be bullish or bearish?
- Use previous day PO3, HTF structure, draw on liquidity
Step 3: Wait for the Judas Swing
If bullish bias:
- Expect London to sweep BELOW the Asian Low first
- This is the manipulation — taking SSL
- Wait for price to sweep ASL, then reverse
If bearish bias:
- Expect London to sweep ABOVE the Asian High first
- Taking BSL above the range
- Wait for price to sweep ASH, then reverse
Step 4: Confirm and Enter
- MSS on 5M/15M after the sweep
- Enter at OB/FVG created by the displacement
- Stop beyond the sweep extreme
- Target opposing side liquidity
Real Examples
Example 1: Bullish London Open — EUR/USD
- Asian Range: 1.0860 - 1.0878
- Daily Bias: Bullish
- 12:20 PM BD: Price drops below ASL to 1.0854 (Judas Swing down)
- 12:35 PM BD: 5M bullish MSS — displacement above recent LH
- Entry: Buy at 1.0862 (bullish OB)
- Stop: 1.0850 | Target: 1.0920
- R:R: 1:4.8
Example 2: Bearish London Open — Gold
- Asian Range: 2,032 - 2,040
- Daily Bias: Bearish (premium, weekly LH forming)
- 12:45 PM BD: Spike above ASH to 2,044 (Judas Swing up/sweeps BSL)
- 1:00 PM BD: Bearish MSS on 5M
- Entry: Sell at 2,039 (bearish FVG)
- Stop: 2,045 | Target: 2,010
- R:R: 1:4.8
Common Mistakes
❌ Trading the Asian breakout — The first move out of Asia is usually the TRAP
❌ No bias before London — You need to know direction BEFORE London opens
❌ Entering during the Judas Swing — Wait for it to complete and MSS to form
❌ Trading after 5:00 AM EST — London KZ ends at 5 AM. Late entries are lower probability
❌ Ignoring Asian range — The range boundaries are your key reference points
Related Topics
- ICT Kill Zones — London is the primary Kill Zone
- Judas Swing — The manipulation move at London open
- AMD — London = manipulation phase
- New York Open — NY continues London's setup