Opening Range Breakout (ORB) for beginners¶
ORB is simple: - define the opening range (5–15 minutes) - trade the break with confirmation - manage risk quickly
ORB fails for boring reasons: - the stock wasn’t in play - liquidity was trash - you chased late - you interfered (took profits early / cancelled entries)
This guide is the practical lane.
Step 1: Candidate selection (stocks in play)¶
ORB without selection is noise.
Defaults that reduce chaos: - liquidity + dollar volume - avoid low-float cheap stocks - practical price floor: nothing under $15
Start here: - Stocks in play workflow - Premarket gappers template
Step 2: Choose one ORB definition¶
Pick one and stick to it: - ORB 5m - ORB 10m - ORB 15m
Consistency beats cleverness.
Step 3: A baseline ORB rule set¶
- enter on break + confirmation (avoid wick-only breaks)
- stop: back inside the range or below the range low (define it)
- partials: fine, but don’t “panic sell” because you want the win
If you don’t have risk rules, stop here: - Paper trading checklist
Step 4: Reduce false breakouts (without overfitting)¶
Use 1–3 helpers: - RVOL / volume surge - spreads under control - broader market alignment
Start here: - Momentum filters
Trade Ideas pages to support ORB¶
- Scanner build: ORB scanner (Opening Range Breakout)
- Review faster: Columns that matter
- Rank first: Top List Window
