ICT New York Open Strategy
Master the ICT New York session — the distribution phase where the biggest moves occur. Learn NY AM setups, London continuation, and how to trade the most volatile session.
Why New York Matters
The New York session is the distribution phase of the daily AMD cycle. After London creates the manipulation (daily high/low), New York delivers the true directional move — the largest expansion of the day.
New York AM is when ALL markets are active simultaneously. Forex, indices, gold, crypto — everything moves during NY AM. This is where R:R potential is highest.
New York Session Timing
| Phase | EST | BD Time | Character |
|---|---|---|---|
| Pre-Market | 7:00 - 8:00 AM | 5:00 - 6:00 PM | Assess London result |
| NY AM KZ | 8:00 - 10:00 AM | 6:00 - 8:00 PM | Major moves/distribution |
| Silver Bullet | 10:00 - 11:00 AM | 8:00 - 9:00 PM | Late AM entry window |
| NY Lunch | 12:00 - 1:30 PM | 10:00 - 11:30 PM | AVOID — choppy |
| NY PM KZ | 1:30 - 4:00 PM | 11:30 PM - 2:00 AM | Continuation/close |
NY Trading Models
Model 1: London Continuation
Most common setup — NY continues what London started:
- London swept Asian high → reversed bearish
- NY AM: Wait for pullback to London's FVG/OB
- Enter the continuation sell during NY AM KZ
- Target deep SSL below
Model 2: London High/Low Sweep
Sometimes NY AM sweeps the London session's high or low:
- London created a range with clear high/low
- NY AM sweeps the London high/low
- MSS confirms after the sweep
- Enter the reversal with stop beyond NY sweep
Model 3: News-Driven Displacement
High-impact news (NFP, CPI, FOMC) creates opportunity:
- Wait for the news candle (do NOT trade during it)
- Mark the FVG created by the news displacement
- Wait for price to retrace to the FVG
- Enter at the FVG after news volatility settles
Real Examples
Example 1: London Continuation — EUR/USD
- London: Swept Asian low at 1.0850, reversed bullish to 1.0890
- NY Pre-Market: Price retraces to 1.0873 (15M bullish FVG from London)
- 6:15 PM BD: Price reaches FVG CE at 1.0875
- Entry: Buy at 1.0875
- Stop: 1.0862 | Target: 1.0940 (BSL above)
- R:R: 1:5
Example 2: NY Sweep — Gold
- London: Created high at 2,048 and low at 2,030
- 6:30 PM BD: NY sweeps 2,050 (above London high) then reverses with MSS
- Entry: Sell at 2,046 (bearish OB)
- Stop: 2,052
- Target: 2,015 (SSL)
- R:R: 1:5.2
Common Mistakes
❌ Trading NY without knowing London's result — Always assess London first
❌ Trading during news release — Wait for the candle to close, then trade the FVG
❌ NY Lunch trading — 12:00-1:30 PM EST is a trap zone
❌ Overtrading in NY — Take ONE great setup, not five mediocre ones
❌ Late PM entries — After 3:00 PM EST, probability drops significantly
Related Topics
- London Open — The setup before NY distribution
- ICT Kill Zones — NY AM and PM Kill Zones
- Silver Bullet — NY AM Silver Bullet window
- AMD — NY = distribution phase