**Trade Journal — Mon Jul 13 (Paper)**
**Bias:** Straddling VAL (7596) at 9:30 open. Default lean = long near VAL, short near VAH/POC.
**T1 — Long (FVG+VAL confluence), LOSS −$250**
- 9:42: price tags VAL, fills the FVG, closes the gap → long, 20t stop / 40t target.
- Stopped before target. Clean rule exit, no cap breach.
**T2 — Long (reclaim VAL), WIN +$500**
- Re-close above VAL → long again, 40t target hit → +$250 net for day. Would lock out live.
**Hindsight — the A+ setup I missed (10:16)**
- 10:16 bearish FVG formed; its high acted as a ceiling all session (rejected twice), 50% retrace lined up with VAL.
- A 3-bar reversal at either rejection = clean 40/20 entry, both sides.
- I was too anchored long at VAL and missed the sell-side narrative the market was showing.
**Lesson:** Adapt to location. Near VAL → watch for longs, but if a bear FVG holds as resistance, the sell side is the trade. FVG + 3BR confluence = my highest-quality trigger (backtest agrees: 79% win).
**Note:** Econ event (PPI/CPI) — may sit out next session.
