ICT Silver Bullet
Also: Silver Bullet, Silverbolt, Silver Bullet Time-Based Model, London Open Silver Bullet, AM Session Silver Bullet, PM Session Silver Bullet
Visual Context Required
This concept requires chart visuals for full understanding.
ICT Silver Bullet is a time-based algorithmic trading model applicable to all asset classes. It defines three specific 60-minute entry windows per trading day (all New York local time) during which a fair value gap forming after a shift in market structure constitutes a valid entry signal: 1. London Open Silver Bullet — 3:00 AM to 4:00 AM ET 2. AM Session Silver Bullet — 10:00 AM to 11:00 AM ET 3. PM Session Silver Bullet — 2:00 PM to 3:00 PM ET The model is "time-based" in the strict sense: the FVG must form (or be actively forming) inside the designated 60-minute window following a discernible shift in market structure on a lower timeframe (1m–5m). The minimum framework for the anticipated move is 10 handles for index futures (ES, NQ) or 15 pips for forex pairs — this defines the expected displacement of the leg being faded, not the required entry-to-exit profit. The trade may be managed and held beyond the end of the window once entry is confirmed. The FVG reference evolves in real time ("evolving silver bullet") as price develops; the highest-probability FVG is the most recently formed one inside the window after the structure shift.
Identification6
- Confirm the current wall-clock time (New York) falls inside one of the three windows: 3–4 AM, 10–11 AM, or 2–3 PM.
- Identify the higher-timeframe bias and draw on liquidity before the window opens.
- Within the window, observe a shift in market structure on a 1m or 2m chart (swing high taken out in a bearish setup; swing low taken out in a bullish setup).
- A fair value gap must form (or already be forming) on the 1m–5m chart inside that window, on the side of the structure shift (bearish FVG if short; bullish FVG if long).
- The displacement leg that created the FVG should be at least 10 handles (ES/NQ) or 15 pips (forex) — this qualifies the leg as having institutional energy.
- The FVG entry can be refined to the most recently formed (evolved) FVG if price continues to deliver within the window.
Entry4
- Place a limit order at the midpoint of the FVG, or a stop-limit order as price enters the gap range from the opposing side.
- For a bearish Silver Bullet: sell limit inside the bearish FVG (price rallies back up into gap after structure shift down).
- For a bullish Silver Bullet: buy limit inside the bullish FVG (price retraces down into gap after structure shift up).
- The entry can be taken as the FVG is being touched during the window or shortly after if the FVG was formed inside the window.
Stop2
- Stop above the high of the bearish FVG (or high of the structure shift candle) for shorts.
- Stop below the low of the bullish FVG (or low of the structure shift candle) for longs.
Target3
- Nearest opposing liquidity pool (old high or old low) on the relevant timeframe.
- Next higher-timeframe PD array in the direction of the trade (order block, breaker, FVG).
- Minimum 10 handles / 15 pips from entry is a baseline expectation for the leg.
Invalidation3
- Price closes a candle body fully through the entry FVG without reversing — the silver bullet imbalance is filled and the setup is negated.
- The 60-minute window expires before an acceptable FVG has formed — the specific window's silver bullet did not deliver this session.
- Structure shift does not occur within the window — no valid entry trigger exists.
Inferred Conditions (Unvalidated)
- Works on any liquid instrument including equity indices, forex, and futures.
- The 2–3 PM window overlaps with the T.G.I.F. setup on Fridays (use the Silver Bullet entry trigger within the TGIF framework).
- The 10–11 AM window coincides with the 9:50–10:10 macro — structure shifts during this macro are especially high-probability Silver Bullet candidates.
ICT Quotes
""This is a time based model. That means these things are linked to a specific 60 minute interval or window and time, every single trading day, this pattern will form.""
Timeframes
Version History2 versions
ICT YT - 2023-05-15 - ICT Silver Bullet Time Based Trading Model
Original introduction of the Silver Bullet three-window model.
ICT YT - 2023-05-22 - Evolving ICT Silver Bullet Example
Introduced concept of evolving FVG reference — the highest-probability entry uses the most recently formed FVG inside the window, not the first one.
Notes
No material conflict with 2016 or 2022 content — this is a new model introduced in 2023. The term 'Silverbolt' appears in the SRT transcripts due to speech-to-text; the correct name is 'Silver Bullet'. The minimum 10-handle / 15-pip framework describes the required size of the displacement leg producing the FVG, NOT the profit target of the trade.
Asymmetry Notes
The three windows have different market personalities. The 3–4 AM window operates in thin pre-market conditions and targets the London Open displacement. The 10–11 AM window is the most liquid (New York AM session peak) and tends to produce the cleanest structure shifts. The 2–3 PM window is quieter but benefits from the afternoon reversal tendency; it is the entry framework for the TGIF setup and the PM Session Silver Bullet. ICT emphasises that not every window will produce a setup on every day — patience and waiting for the FVG + structure shift confluence are mandatory.