Strategies

Opening Range Breakout (ORB) Strategy

The ORB captures directional moves after the first 15–30 minutes of the session establish an intraday range.

Key rules

  1. Define the opening range as the first 15 or 30 minutes of the session
  2. Enter on a confirmed break of the range high/low
  3. Target at least 2:1 R:R using the prior day's range as a guide
  4. Pre-market gap direction signals which side of the range to favour
  5. Avoid ORB on choppy, low-volume days without clear directional bias

The first 15–30 minutes of a trading session often define the day's range. When price breaks above the high of this opening range with momentum, it frequently continues higher through the session.

The ORB is most effective on trending days, which occur 30–40% of the time. Pre-market volume and gap direction provide context for which side of the range to favour.

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