Skip to content
trademinati

PDH, PDL, PDC, DO & EMA 20/50 Crossover

Most retail traders lose money because they enter trades without understanding two important things:

  1. Market Structure – Where price is likely to react.
  2. Trend Direction – Whether buyers or sellers are in control.

This strategy combines four powerful price levels:

  • PDH (Previous Day High)
  • PDL (Previous Day Low)
  • PDC (Previous Day Close)
  • DO (Day Open)

with:

  • EMA 20 (Fast Trend Indicator)
  • EMA 50 (Slow Trend Indicator)

Together, they create a simple yet effective framework to identify high-probability bullish and bearish setups.

🔥 TRADING OPPORTUNITY

Ready To Take Your Trading
To The Next Level?

Don’t just watch the market. Get access to platforms traders use to trade Crypto, Futures & more.

✓ Easy Account Setup ✓ Mobile Friendly ✓ Trade Crypto
*Trading involves risk. Crypto and futures trading can result in losses. Please understand the risks before trading.

Part 1: Understanding Key Levels

Understanding the Key Levels

1. PDH – Previous Day High

The highest price reached during the previous trading day.

Why it matters:

  • Acts as a resistance level.
  • Breakout above PDH often indicates strong buying pressure.
  • Traders use it as a liquidity level.

2. PDL – Previous Day Low

The lowest price reached during the previous trading day.

Why it matters:

  • Acts as support.
  • Breakdown below PDL indicates selling strength.
  • Often becomes a target for stop hunts and liquidity grabs.

3. PDC – Previous Day Close

The closing price of the previous trading session.

Why it matters:

  • Shows previous market sentiment.
  • Price above PDC = bullish sentiment.
  • Price below PDC = bearish sentiment.

4. DO – Day Open

The opening price of the current trading day.

Why it matters:

  • Acts as an intraday equilibrium point.
  • Price above DO = buyers are stronger.
  • Price below DO = sellers are stronger.

Part 2: Understanding EMA 20 & EMA 50

Understanding EMA 20 & EMA 50

EMA 20

The 20-period Exponential Moving Average.

Purpose:

  • Tracks short-term trend.
  • Reacts quickly to price movement.

EMA 50

The 50-period Exponential Moving Average.

Purpose:

  • Shows medium-term trend.
  • Filters market noise.

Part 3: EMA Crossover Signals

Understanding EMA 20 & EMA 50

Bullish EMA Crossover

Condition:

  • EMA 20 crosses above EMA 50.

Meaning:

  • Buyers are gaining control.
  • Momentum is shifting upward.

Best confirmation:

  • Price above DO.
  • Price above PDC.
  • Breakout above PDH.

Bearish EMA Crossover

Condition:

  • EMA 20 crosses below EMA 50.

Meaning:

  • Sellers are gaining control.
  • Momentum shifts downward.

Best confirmation:

  • Price below DO.
  • Price below PDC.
  • Breakdown below PDL.

Part 4: Market Bias Rules

Strong Bullish Market

Checklist:

✔ Price above DO
✔ Price above PDC
✔ EMA 20 above EMA 50
✔ Higher highs and higher lows
✔ Breakout above PDH

Action:
Look only for LONG trades.


Strong Bearish Market

Checklist:

✔ Price below DO
✔ Price below PDC
✔ EMA 20 below EMA 50
✔ Lower highs and lower lows
✔ Breakdown below PDL

Action:
Look only for SHORT trades.


Part 5: Bullish Trade Setup

Entry Conditions

Step 1:
Price opens above DO.

Step 2:
Price holds above PDC.

Step 3:
EMA 20 crosses above EMA 50.

Step 4:
Price breaks above PDH.

Step 5:
Wait for:

  • Retest of PDH, OR
  • Pullback to EMA 20.

Step 6:
Enter Long.


Stop Loss

Place below:

  • PDC, OR
  • Recent swing low.

Targets

Target 1:
1R

Target 2:
2R

Target 3:
Next resistance level.

Target 4:
Trail using EMA 20.


Example Bullish Trade

  • BTC opens above DO.
  • Price stays above PDC.
  • EMA 20 crosses EMA 50 upward.
  • Price breaks PDH.
  • Retests PDH.
  • Long entry triggered.

Result:
Trend continuation setup.


Part 6: Bearish Trade Setup

Entry Conditions

Step 1:
Price opens below DO.

Step 2:
Price remains below PDC.

Step 3:
EMA 20 crosses below EMA 50.

Step 4:
Price breaks below PDL.

Step 5:
Wait for:

  • Retest of PDL, OR
  • Pullback to EMA 20.

Step 6:
Enter Short.


Stop Loss

Place above:

  • PDC, OR
  • Recent swing high.

Targets

Target 1:
1R

Target 2:
2R

Target 3:
Next support level.

Target 4:
Trail with EMA 20.


Example Bearish Trade

  • Market opens below DO.
  • Price stays below PDC.
  • EMA 20 crosses below EMA 50.
  • Price breaks PDL.
  • Retests PDL.
  • Short entry triggered.

Result:
Trend continuation setup.


Part 7: Timeframe Selection

Scalping

  • Trend: 1H
  • Entry: 5M / 15M

Intraday Trading

  • Trend: 4H
  • Entry: 15M / 30M

Swing Trading

  • Trend: 1D
  • Entry: 1H / 4H

Part 8: Risk Management Rules

Never risk more than 1–2% per trade.

Always:

✔ Use stop loss
✔ Maintain minimum 1:2 Risk-to-Reward
✔ Avoid trading during major news events
✔ Wait for candle confirmation
✔ Do not chase breakouts


Common Mistakes

❌ Trading against EMA trend

❌ Taking longs below PDC

❌ Taking shorts above PDC

❌ Entering before breakout confirmation

❌ Ignoring risk management


Advanced Filter (High Probability Setup)

Take trades only when:

✔ Higher timeframe trend supports the trade
✔ Price is above/below PDC
✔ EMA crossover confirms momentum
✔ PDH/PDL breakout occurs
✔ Volume increases during breakout


Simple Trading Formula

BUY Setup

Price > DO
Price > PDC
EMA 20 > EMA 50
Break Above PDH
Retest
BUY


SELL Setup

Price < DO
Price < PDC
EMA 20 < EMA 50
Break Below PDL
Retest
SELL


Final Note

This strategy is not about predicting the market.

It is about:

  • Following trend
  • Trading with momentum
  • Using important market levels
  • Managing risk properly

When PDH, PDL, PDC, DO, and EMA 20/50 align together, they create a structured trading system that helps traders avoid random entries and focus only on high-probability setups.

🔥 TRADING OPPORTUNITY

Ready To Take Your Trading
To The Next Level?

Don’t just watch the market. Get access to platforms traders use to trade Crypto, Futures & more.

✓ Easy Account Setup ✓ Mobile Friendly ✓ Trade Crypto
*Trading involves risk. Crypto and futures trading can result in losses. Please understand the risks before trading.

Disclaimer: The information presented in this article is for informational and educational purposes only. The article does not constitute financial advice or advice of any kind. Trademinati and its team are not responsible for any losses incurred as a result of the utilization of content, products, or services mentioned. Readers are advised to exercise caution before taking any action related to the company.

Leave a Comment