1-2-3 Chart Pattern

sr114

Well-Known Member
#1
The 123 chart pattern.

The 123 pattern is a reversal chart pattern which occurs very frequently and has a very high success ratio.

123s occur at the end of trends and swings, and they are an indication of a change in trend. They can also be found within a trading range, and they take place when the directional momentum of a trend diminishing.




In the above illustrated example, we have a typical 123 formation forming at the end of a downtrend.
Price will make a swing low (point 1), retrace upwards to a swing high (point 2), where a downward correction begins. Price would then form another swing low (point 3), which is higher than the previous low (point 1).
From this higher swing low (point 3) price then resumes the upward movement, thus confirming the change in the trend. A long trade is then entered when price breaks the previous high formed at point 2.
Since this is all that the pattern consists of, it is very easy to spot for a confirmation of the change in trend.

Working of the pattern.

If we look at the fundamental reason for the forming of this pattern, we can see why it works so well. The unfolding of the pattern step wise, would be as follows -
An indication of the change in trend is seen, when price retraces the original down move.
Failure to make a new low.
Price rallying again from here, creating an anticipation of a reversal.
Breach of the previous high, confirming the reversal.
At this point, everybody is going long creating the extra momentum for the upwards trend.

This is because traders, who had anticipated the downtrend to continue, would have placed their stops above point 2 of this pattern. And when these stops are hit, these breakout traders will tend to cover their positions by going long, driving the price up with thrust.

Trade parameters.
Once this pattern has been spotted, let us define some very simple rules for managing the trade.

Entry - The ideal entry should be taken on the break of the point 2 the previous high (or low as the case maybe)
Stop - The stops to be placed beneath the low of point 1. Aggressive traders may even place the stops below the point 3, but it is always better to give price enough room to move without hitting the stops.
Price targets - While this pattern does not give any projected target, a minimum target can be estimated by the measured move concept.
Calculate the distance from the point 1 to point 2 in the formation. Add this to the low of point 3, and this should be the minimum distance that price will travel to

Some practical points.

The setup of the entire pattern from point 1 to 3 could take place in 3 bars or as long as 20 bars. But the rules of pattern remain the same.
A point to keep in mind here is that more the number of bars involved in the setup, bigger should be the move. This is not a fixed rule, but more often not, this concept is followed by the price.

Allow the pattern to prove itself before entering a trade. If point 3 forms below point 1, the pattern is negated.
Similarly price has to break the high of point 2 for confirmation.
There will be times when price will consolidate within the area of points 2 & 3, without giving any indications of the direction. At such times it is better to stay out, till price action confirms a direction.

Example of the setup - a bearish 123 pattern


In this example we can see that price was initially in an uptrend. Price then moves down and a simple trend line break will give us the indication of a change of trend. It is here that we label the swing high as point.1 of the formation.
In this new downtrend, we then have a swing low from where price retraces up again in the direction of the previous uptrend. We label this as point.2 of the formation.
Now at this point, even though we have the two initial points of the formation, we are not sure if this is a retracement of the uptrend, or a reversal to the downtrend.
The confirmation comes when price makes a swing high, which is lower than the high of point1 (the point.3). This tells us that price does not have the momentum to break the previous high, thus indicating a change of trend.

If you notice, we mentioned that it only indicates a change of trend. This could just be a consolidation where price could be pausing before resuming the uptrend again. This is where we wait for the confirmation. As soon as price breaks the low of point.2, we enter the trade.

As per our conditions, we place our stops above the point.1 of the formation, and estimate the minimum distance that price should go to. As we can see, price easily surpasses the minimum distance, giving a good short trade.

If you notice, we mentioned that it only indicates a change of trend. This could just be a consolidation where price could be pausing before resuming the uptrend again. This is where we wait for the confirmation. As soon as price breaks the low of point.2, we enter the trade.

As per our conditions, we place our stops above the point.1 of the formation, and estimate the minimum distance that price should go to. As we can see, price easily surpasses the minimum distance, giving a good short trade.

Example of the setup - a bullish 123 pattern.




[info from fxfatcat.com]

regards
subroto


PS. - 123 chart pattern
source - Sunil Mangwani
www.fibforex123.com
 
Last edited:

stumper

Active Member
#4
Shailu,

Can you give some examples or post some charts where you think this has failed.
I will guess -- He means 1-2-3 pattern is still very subjective to the extent that you can pick and choose which you want to trade and which you want to ignore (for example in Choppy Market , 1-2-3 will Kill you).
 

rh6996

Well-Known Member
#6
The 123 chart pattern.

The 123 pattern is a reversal chart pattern which occurs very frequently and has a very high success ratio.

123s occur at the end of trends and swings, and they are an indication of a change in trend. They can also be found within a trading range, and they take place when the directional momentum of a trend diminishing.




In the above illustrated example, we have a typical 123 formation forming at the end of a downtrend.
Price will make a swing low (point 1), retrace upwards to a swing high (point 2), where a downward correction begins. Price would then form another swing low (point 3), which is higher than the previous low (point 1).
From this higher swing low (point 3) price then resumes the upward movement, thus confirming the change in the trend. A long trade is then entered when price breaks the previous high formed at point 2.
Since this is all that the pattern consists of, it is very easy to spot for a confirmation of the change in trend.

Working of the pattern.

If we look at the fundamental reason for the forming of this pattern, we can see why it works so well. The unfolding of the pattern step wise, would be as follows -
An indication of the change in trend is seen, when price retraces the original down move.
Failure to make a new low.
Price rallying again from here, creating an anticipation of a reversal.
Breach of the previous high, confirming the reversal.
At this point, everybody is going long creating the extra momentum for the upwards trend.

This is because traders, who had anticipated the downtrend to continue, would have placed their stops above point 2 of this pattern. And when these stops are hit, these breakout traders will tend to cover their positions by going long, driving the price up with thrust.

Trade parameters.
Once this pattern has been spotted, let us define some very simple rules for managing the trade.

Entry - The ideal entry should be taken on the break of the point 2 the previous high (or low as the case maybe)
Stop - The stops to be placed beneath the low of point 1. Aggressive traders may even place the stops below the point 3, but it is always better to give price enough room to move without hitting the stops.
Price targets - While this pattern does not give any projected target, a minimum target can be estimated by the measured move concept.
Calculate the distance from the point 1 to point 2 in the formation. Add this to the low of point 3, and this should be the minimum distance that price will travel to

Some practical points.

The setup of the entire pattern from point 1 to 3 could take place in 3 bars or as long as 20 bars. But the rules of pattern remain the same.
A point to keep in mind here is that more the number of bars involved in the setup, bigger should be the move. This is not a fixed rule, but more often not, this concept is followed by the price.

Allow the pattern to prove itself before entering a trade. If point 3 forms below point 1, the pattern is negated.
Similarly price has to break the high of point 2 for confirmation.
There will be times when price will consolidate within the area of points 2 & 3, without giving any indications of the direction. At such times it is better to stay out, till price action confirms a direction.

Example of the setup - a bearish 123 pattern


In this example we can see that price was initially in an uptrend. Price then moves down and a simple trend line break will give us the indication of a change of trend. It is here that we label the swing high as point.1 of the formation.
In this new downtrend, we then have a swing low from where price retraces up again in the direction of the previous uptrend. We label this as point.2 of the formation.
Now at this point, even though we have the two initial points of the formation, we are not sure if this is a retracement of the uptrend, or a reversal to the downtrend.
The confirmation comes when price makes a swing high, which is lower than the high of point1 (the point.3). This tells us that price does not have the momentum to break the previous high, thus indicating a change of trend.

If you notice, we mentioned that it only indicates a change of trend. This could just be a consolidation where price could be pausing before resuming the uptrend again. This is where we wait for the confirmation. As soon as price breaks the low of point.2, we enter the trade.

As per our conditions, we place our stops above the point.1 of the formation, and estimate the minimum distance that price should go to. As we can see, price easily surpasses the minimum distance, giving a good short trade.

If you notice, we mentioned that it only indicates a change of trend. This could just be a consolidation where price could be pausing before resuming the uptrend again. This is where we wait for the confirmation. As soon as price breaks the low of point.2, we enter the trade.

As per our conditions, we place our stops above the point.1 of the formation, and estimate the minimum distance that price should go to. As we can see, price easily surpasses the minimum distance, giving a good short trade.

Example of the setup - a bullish 123 pattern.




[info from fxfatcat.com]

regards
subroto
You, Copy pasted this stuff from the NET, why hesitate in giving due credit to the original posts ! :(

http://mediaserver.fxstreet.com/Rep...281b/3ee6e5cb-538c-4f66-b45d-8ab92bc2ecee.pdf
 

sr114

Well-Known Member
#7
RH

u have missed the insertion i made ( info from fxfatcat.com)

the actual link from where i got the article is
http://www.fxfatcat.com/forex-forum...uld-the-1-2-3-Pattern-be-the-Holy-Grail/page2

i just gone thru the article and found it interesting and so i tried to share the info

never ever intended to put the article in my name

so b4 commenting anything please go thru the insertion carefully and then only comments

rgds
subroto
 
Last edited:

rh6996

Well-Known Member
#9
RH

u have missed the insertion i made ( info from fxfatcat.com)

the actual link from where i got the article is
http://www.fxfatcat.com/forex-forum...uld-the-1-2-3-Pattern-be-the-Holy-Grail/page2

i just gone thru the article and found it interesting and so i tried to share the info

never ever intended to put the article in my name

so b4 commenting anything please go thru the insertion carefully and then only comments

rgds
subroto
Extremely sorry for not understanding the insertion you made. I took it as if the same was for the last chart posted. I usually am careful before commenting but am do make mistakes at times.
You would agree that the "insertion" was not prominent enough to garner attention.
I apologise once again.
 

sr114

Well-Known Member
#10
Extremely sorry for not understanding the insertion you made. I took it as if the same was for the last chart posted. I usually am careful before commenting but am do make mistakes at times.
You would agree that the "insertion" was not prominent enough to garner attention.
I apologise once again.
.
its ok buddy - the insertion was also not so prominent - i made that mistake - but i never intended to put in my name any copyrighted material-

also look at the other material link i have posted in the last chart
it will help us to gather more info abut this chart pattern

rgds
subroto
 

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