Fair Value Gap (FVG) Explained: Institutional Imbalance | Bait.asia

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  Fair Value Gap (FVG): The Institutional Imbalance Explained By Bait.asia | Smart Money Concepts Series (Part 5, Article 1) In Smart Money Concepts (SMC), understanding price delivery is essential for identifying high-probability entries. One of the most critical concepts institutional traders use is the Fair Value Gap (FVG) —also known as an Imbalance or Inefficiency . When central bank algorithms and large financial institutions inject aggressive capital into the market, price moves rapidly, leaving structural gaps behind. Here is how FVGs work and how to trade them effectively. What is a Fair Value Gap (FVG)? A Fair Value Gap occurs during a rapid market expansion where buying or selling pressure is so overwhelming that only one side of the market is offered liquidity. In technical terms, an FVG is a 3-candle pattern where the wicks of Candle 1 and Candle 3 do not overlap, leaving an uncovered space in Candle 2. Bullish FVG (Buying Imbalance): The high of Candle 1 does not ...
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Market Structure Explained: HH, HL, LH, LL in SMC | BAIT.ASIA ! Part 1, Article 3

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Market Structure Explained: Understanding HH, HL, LH, and LL in SMC! Part 1, Article 3


In the world of trading, the most important skill is not just reading a chart, but understanding the Market Structure. If you don't know the direction in which the market is moving, every trade becomes a gamble. In Smart Money Concepts (SMC), Market Structure is the foundation upon which large institutions and banks plan their trades.

What is Market Structure?


The market never moves in a straight line up or down. It moves in waves, and each wave creates specific "points." To understand these points, we use four fundamental terms:

  1. HH (Higher High): When the price moves above the previous highest point (High) and creates a new peak.

  2. HL (Higher Low): When the price pulls back but does not break the previous lowest point (Low), staying above it.

  3. LH (Lower High): When the price tries to move up but fails to reach or break the previous High, staying below it.

  4. LL (Lower Low): When the price drops below the previous lowest point, creating a new record low.

1. Bullish Market Structure (Upward Trend)


A bullish market is identified by the continuous formation of Higher Highs (HH) and Higher Lows (HL).

  • SMC Logic: When the price breaks the previous HH, it is called a "Break of Structure" (BOS). Smart Money traders wait for a Higher Low (HL) to form before entering a "Buy" position at a lower price.

2. Bearish Market Structure (Downward Trend)


In a falling market, the price continuously forms Lower Lows (LL) and Lower Highs (LH).

  • SMC Logic: Here, the price breaks the previous LL to continue its downward journey. Smart Money usually enters "Sell" positions at a Lower High (LH) because the probability of the price dropping further is very high.

3. Ranging Market (Side-ways)

Sometimes the market moves neither up nor down but stays within a specific boundary (Range). This is called Consolidation. SMC traders generally avoid trading in such markets and wait for the structure to break (BOS) in either direction before making a move.

Why Should You Follow Market Structure?


  • Trend Identification: It tells you the actual "bias" or direction of the market.

  • Entry Points: it helps you find the right spots to "Buy Low and Sell High."

  • Risk Management: If the market changes its structure (e.g., an HL is broken in an uptrend), it is a warning that the trend is about to reverse.

Important Note: Understanding HH, HL, LH, and LL is just the first step in SMC. In the next part, we will learn about BOS (Break of Structure) and CHoCH (Change of Character) so you can identify the exact moment the market turns.

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