As a forex trader, one of the crucial aspects of your trading strategy is knowing when and how to enter trades. Entering at the right position and price can make a significant difference in your trading success. In this chapter, we will explore various methods of entering trades and establishing positions that fit your overall forex trading strategy.

Opening up Trading Positions

There are two primary ways to make trades in the forex market:

•                 Trading at the Market: This involves executing trades at the current market price using the click-and-deal feature on your broker's platform. Many traders prefer this method as it offers certainty, knowing that they are instantly in the market and can actively buy and sell currency pairs as they see fit.

•                 Using Orders: Orders, such as limit orders and if/then contingent orders, allow traders to set specific price levels at which they want to enter the market. This method is useful when traders want to wait for better price levels or have a clear entry and exit strategy based on technical or fundamental factors.

The decision on whether to trade at the market or use orders depends on your overall trading strategy and the time frame you are trading. Short-term traders focused on news or economic data reports often trade at the market, while those looking for larger price adjustments over the next day(s) may prefer using orders to execute their trades.

When trading at the market for short-term positions, it is essential to have a good understanding of recent price action. Observing shorter-term charts, such as 5 or 15 minutes, can give you insights into recent price movements and help you identify potential entry points. Being patient and waiting for a favorable price level can improve your entry and potentially lead to better trade outcomes.

Averaging into Trade Setups

Medium- and longer-term trade strategies may benefit from averaging into positions. Averaging into a position means buying or selling at successively lower or higher prices to improve the average rate of the desired long or short position. This strategy is based on the anticipation that the market will eventually reverse course in line with your overall strategy.

Let's take an example to illustrate averaging into a position. Suppose the USD/JPY is moving lower, and you believe it will not decline below 81.00, where the 200-day moving average is located. You can buy USD/JPY at the current weakness (e.g., 82.00) and then add to the position at progressively lower levels (e.g., 81.20). This way, your average purchase price improves (81.60) and allows you to establish a larger position at better prices.

However, averaging into a position should be approached cautiously. It is essential to identify the ultimate stop-loss exit point for every trade setup. If the market does not behave as anticipated, averaging into a losing position can lead to significantly higher losses.

Trading on Breakouts

Breakouts occur when the price movement breaks out of established trading ranges or price patterns, usually captured with trend lines. Breakouts can occur in all time frames, from short-term to longer-term. The longer the time frame, the more significant the breakout in terms of expected price movement.

Trading breakouts can be an effective strategy, especially when a significant price movement is expected after the breakout. Traders can use various indicators and technical analysis to identify potential breakout points. Once a breakout occurs, traders can enter positions in the direction of the breakout with appropriate stop-loss and take-profit levels.

Remember that breakouts can result in substantial price movements, but they also carry higher risks. It is crucial to manage risk effectively by setting appropriate stop-loss levels and being prepared for potential price reversals.

Dealing Online and Placing Orders

In the modern era of forex trading, most traders utilize online platforms provided by their brokers to execute trades. Online trading platforms offer convenient access to the market and various tools for technical and fundamental analysis. These platforms enable traders to place market orders, limit orders, and other types of orders to manage their positions effectively.

To maximize the benefits of online trading, traders should familiarize themselves with their broker's platform and understand how to use various order types. Implementing proper risk management and staying disciplined in trade execution are critical to successful trading.

In conclusion, entering forex trades effectively involves a combination of trading at the market, using orders, averaging into positions, and trading on breakouts. Each method has its pros and cons and should be applied based on your trading strategy, time frame, and risk tolerance. Mastering these techniques and understanding the dynamics of the forex market can significantly improve your trading performance.