Reddit Trader Seeks Rule-Based, Time-Efficient Strategies (VWAP+ORB Focus) Post Unprofitable Pullback Trading

The original poster (OP) [11] traded unprofitably for over a year using Thomas Wade’s 2-legged pullback strategy, citing subjectivity and infrequency (A+ trades every ~6 hours) as misaligned with limited weekly screen time. They seek simpler, higher-frequency rule-based strategies like VWAP+ORB. Comments highlight: (1) A three-part system framework (market structure bias → key area catalyst → entry trigger); (2) A simplified one-pullback method on 5-min charts with ~65% success over 6 weeks; (3) Recommendations for VWAP+ORB, FinRadar scanners, and Bookmap liquidity tools; (4) Focus on market geometry, supply/demand, and order flow with standard tools.

VWAP+ORB combines VWAP (institutional fair value [5]) with a 15-minute opening range breakout (9:30-9:45 AM NY time [1]), ideal for part-time traders due to rule-based signals and limited first-hour monitoring [3]. It has 45-65% win rates (higher with price action confirmation [4]) and works best for crypto, forex majors, and indices [3]. Other rule-based strategies for limited time include moving average crossovers, breakout trading, RSI overbought/oversold [8,9], trend line breaks, Bollinger Band squeezes, and multi-timeframe analysis (filters false signals [6]).

Both Reddit comments [11] and research [1,3,6] align on VWAP+ORB as a strong fit for OP’s needs (rule-based, time-efficient). The three-part framework from comments complements research’s structured strategy emphasis. Simplified pullback methods (comments) and other rule-based options (research) offer additional alternatives to address the OP’s pain points.

Opportunities: Leverage VWAP+ORB’s limited monitoring window [1] and rule-based signals [3] to fit OP’s schedule; test simplified pullback methods for higher frequency. Risks: Overtrading with frequent strategies (need strict risk management like defined stop-losses [3]); potential false signals in volatile markets (mitigated via multi-timeframe analysis [6] or price action confirmation [4]).