Chart Patterns - Are They Valid Trading Signals?

Do chart patterns work in trading Forex? Bar andChart patterns and randomness
Candle formations? Triangles, etc?It has been proven many times by statisticians,
Here is a better question. If a chart pattern appearseconomists, and mathematicians that chart patterns
on your chart or an automated system finds a chartcan be created by flipping and recording the results
pattern, what are the chances it will reverse?of coins and/or drawing random numbers. That
One of the major problems with chart patterns ismeans that these patterns on price charts do not
that traders locate them and discuss them as if theymean what many traders think they means. This is
materially existed. Many devise important soundingwhy traders using chart patterns employ other
terminology to describe what the particular pattern ismeans to confirm, or attempt to confirm the trade.
saying about the current market conditions. Or thatTrades move for one reason
the pattern describes a certain market behavior atTrades at these chart patterns reverse for one
that particular moment. Most of this is nonsense.reason. Momentum in the market changes. Regardless
With all the traders in the world trading a currencyof the spin, no chart pattern is going to yield results
pair such as the EURUSD anyone who can find theirall the time. It would be better for the trader using
head to put on a hat should realize that bars on achart patterns to study the odds of their signal
chart can represent very little about marketreversing at key times during the day when perhaps
psychology.a momentum oscillator such as RSI signals at the
The Hammer or Pin Barsame time.
One particular pattern that price action traders like toWhen you have the odds in your favor as a result of
point to, is the pin bar or hammer. This is a reversalactual statistical data then regardless of the reason a
signal. When it works it is found at the bottom of achart pattern might be there, you have a valid trade.
downtrending price trend. The next bar is up and theRSI is a great momentum oscillator and I have
trend reverses. You can scroll through your chart andwritten about it extensively and done statistical
find these and many do occur at the bottom of astudies that increase the odds of being correct in
downtrend. However, just as many of these can beyour trades.
found within a trend where the signal failed.