Most traders lose money because they skip the basics. Here's my exact pre-trade checklist:

1. Volume confirmation

Price moving on low volume is noise. I don't touch a setup unless volume is 2x+ the 20-day average on the breakout candle. If the money isn't flowing in, neither am I.

2. Higher timeframe alignment

If you're trading the 4H but the daily is in a downtrend, you're fighting the current. I always check one timeframe above my entry chart. If they disagree, I sit on my hands.

3. Risk-to-reward math

I need at minimum 2:1 R/R before I click buy. If the stop loss is $1 away, my target better be $2+. No exceptions. This one rule alone turned my PnL green.

Sounds simple? It is. But 90% of traders skip at least one of these every trade.

I share my full analysis and live entries inside Signal Vault. If you want the calls with the reasoning, come check it out.