Most retail traders lose money because they enter trades without understanding two important things:
- Market Structure – Where price is likely to react.
- 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.
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Part 1: Understanding 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

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

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.
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.