ICT Market Maker Models
Understand how the Market Maker algorithm delivers price. Learn the Market Maker Buy Model (MMBM) and Market Maker Sell Model (MMSM) — the complete price delivery framework.
What are Market Maker Models?
Market Maker Models describe the complete cycle of price delivery by the interbank algorithm. They map out how price moves from accumulation through manipulation to distribution — giving you a roadmap of where you are in the cycle and what comes next.
The algorithm repeats the same pattern over and over: sweep one side, displace to the other side, retrace, then expand. Market Maker Models help you identify which stage you're in.
Market Maker Buy Model (MMBM)
The blueprint for a bullish cycle:
Stages
- Original Consolidation — Price ranges at the low (accumulation)
- Smart Money Reversal — SSL sweep + MSS (manipulation)
- First displacement leg up — Creates OBs and FVGs
- Re-accumulation — Pullback to OB/FVG (this is your entry)
- Second leg up — Expansion toward BSL targets
- Distribution — Price reaches premium, starts topping out
Entry Point
The ideal entry is during Stage 4 (re-accumulation):
- Price pulls back to the FVG/OB from Stage 3
- This pullback often reaches OTE (62-79% retracement)
- Enter with stop below the Stage 2 manipulation low
Market Maker Sell Model (MMSM)
The blueprint for a bearish cycle:
Stages
- Original Consolidation — Price ranges at the high (distribution)
- Smart Money Reversal — BSL sweep + MSS (manipulation)
- First displacement leg down — Creates bearish OBs and FVGs
- Re-distribution — Pullback into bearish OB/FVG (entry)
- Second leg down — Expansion toward SSL targets
- Accumulation — Price reaches discount, starts bottoming
Entry Point
Enter during Stage 4 (re-distribution):
- Price retraces into the bearish FVG/OB from Stage 3
- Often reaches OTE zone
- Stop above the Stage 2 manipulation high
Real Examples
Example 1: MMBM on EUR/USD (Daily)
- Stage 1: 1.0800-1.0830 consolidation for 5 days
- Stage 2: SSL sweep to 1.0785, then MSS bullish
- Stage 3: Displacement to 1.0880, creating FVG at 1.0840-1.0855
- Stage 4: Pullback to 1.0848 (FVG CE + OTE zone) — ENTRY BUY
- Stage 5: Expansion to 1.0970
- R:R from entry: 1:8+
Example 2: MMSM on NAS100 (4H)
- Stage 1: Consolidation at 18,000-18,100
- Stage 2: BSL sweep to 18,150, bearish MSS
- Stage 3: Displacement to 17,900 creating OBs
- Stage 4: Retracement to 18,020 (bearish OB) — ENTRY SELL
- Stage 5: Expansion to 17,500
- R:R: 1:7
Identifying Your Position in the Model
| If Price Is... | You're in Stage... | Action |
|---|---|---|
| Ranging at support | 1 (Consolidation) | Wait for sweep |
| Sweeping lows with displacement up | 2-3 (Reversal) | Prepare for buy |
| Pulling back to FVG/OB after up move | 4 (Re-accumulation) | ENTER BUY |
| Expanding toward highs | 5 (Expansion) | Hold / take partials |
| Ranging at resistance | 6 (Distribution) | Prepare for MMSM |
Common Mistakes
❌ Entering at Stage 1 — Consolidation can last days/weeks. Wait for the sweep
❌ Chasing Stage 3 — The first displacement is not the entry. Wait for Stage 4 pullback
❌ Wrong timeframe — Use Daily/4H for the model structure, LTF for execution
❌ Forgetting it's a cycle — MMBM ends → MMSM begins. It's continuous
Related Topics
- AMD — Market Maker Models are expanded AMD
- PD Arrays — Entry vehicles within the model
- OTE — Stage 4 pullback often reaches OTE
- Dealing Range — Context for the model stages
- Liquidity — Sweep targets at each stage