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Smart Money Concept (SMC) Trading

Strategy – Full Guide
14 mins read ● Last Updated: 11 December 2023

Written by Reviewed by
Tom Chen Shain Vernier

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KEY POINTS
The smart money concept in forex trading involves understanding the behavior
of institutional players, such as banks and hedge funds, and analyzing supply
and demand dynamics, order blocks, and price patterns.
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 SMC is often seen as a repackaged version of price action trading with a long
history of producing positive results in various asset classes.

Skeptics argue that the liquidity contributed by retail traders is relatively

insignificant in the eyes of institutional market makers, making it unlikely that
they would specifically target retail traders.

The choice to use SMC trading ultimately depends on individual preferences

and the trader’s ability to understand its theory and apply it to the chart.

The Smart Money Concept strategy has gained viral attention over the past few years,
and it’s mostly for good reasons: it seems to be working. At least for some people. But
what’s unique about this SMC strategy, anyway?

To be accurate, the SMC is not a strategy, per se. But it’s more of a theory or
philosophy.
Now, you are probably curious about this new concept. So, here, we reveal everything
you need to know about the Smart Money Concept (SMC) strategy. Or theory?
Philosophy? Anyway, let’s start.

Table of Contents

Smart Money Concept Explained – What is the Smart Money Concept in

Trading?

SMC Key Concepts

The Smart Money Concept Trading Strategy – How Does It Work?

How to Trade with the Smart Money Concept Trading Strategy

Smart Money Concept vs Price Action – What’s the Difference?

Is the SMC a Good or a Bad Trading Method?

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 Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

What is the Smart Money Concept in Trading?

So, what exactly is Smart Money concerned with? Simply put, it’s all about supply,
demand, and market structure. Market makers, or the “smart money,” often leave
footprints of their trading decisions on the chart, and smart money concept traders
are to follow these footprints.

Retail traders tend to believe the market is fair for them to make money, but the SMC
might prove otherwise. Here’s how the theory goes:

Market makers such as banks, hedge funds, and other prominent market participants
who can move substantial amounts of capital can allegedly manipulate the market
against retail traders. While this may sound like a conspiracy theory, it is worth looking
into.

These institutions are in the business of making profits or supplying the needs of a
country or a big corporation. They are not shy about using their vast resources and
market knowledge to their advantage, including setting traps for retail traders to part
with their money.

Retail traders, often ignorant of these activities, are more likely to fall victim to the
market’s unpredictable swings.

However, that’s not the entire idea of SMC. Very often, these big players enter the
market with good intentions. For instance, a government that must purchase large
quantities of a commodity, such as wheat, soybeans, or crude oil, can obviously push
prices in a specific direction.

So, based on the SMC theory, financial markets are largely controlled by financial
institutions, hedge funds, and governments. They significantly impact price
movements in the market, and therefore, retail traders must be alert to their intentions
to predict where the market is heading.

That, in a nutshell, is what the SMC is all about. If you believe in smart money concepts
trading, then you, as an individual trader, should follow smart money.

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SMC Key Concepts

Rather than being just a theory, SMC is a complete trading methodology with its
unique terminologies and concepts. Let’s take a closer look at some of SMC’s concepts
and trading techniques.

Order Blocks (OB)

This concept is fundamental to understanding SMC. Essentially, order blocks refer to a

market condition when central banks, governments, and large financial institutions
accumulate or distribute large quantities of an asset through several big orders. They
do so to be able to purchase the asset without creating panic and high volatility in the
market.

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On a price chart, order blocks typically appear as a ranging market (as seen in the
chart below). However, to properly identify order blocks in the market, you must use
additional tools, such as level 2 market data and volume indicators.

To learn more about order blocks, visit our full order blocks trading strategy guide.

Breaker Blocks

These are order blocks that fail to hold the price level in a given trend. They represent
price levels where market makers intentionally break through support or resistance
levels to trigger stop-loss orders from retail traders.

On a trading chart, breaker blocks appear as levels where the price breaks above or
below a certain level. Based on the SMC theory, most smart money orders are placed
at this level.

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Fair Value Gaps (FVG)

Fair value gaps, also referred to as FVGs, are a unique trading concept that occurs
when the market moves quickly from one price level to another, often leaving gaps on
price charts. SMC traders pay close attention to these gaps as they can indicate
significant shifts in market sentiment.

Break of Structure (BOS)

The break of structure is a concept that focuses on identifying shifts in the market’s
overall trend. A break of structure is said to have taken place when the price sets a
new high or a new low while breaking the former ones.
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Change of Character (Choch)

Change of Character, often abbreviated as Choch, refers to a situation where the

market’s behavior shifts abruptly. It is a sudden change in volatility, volume, or price
action, suggesting a weakness in the current trend and a possible reversal.

Liquidity

Liquidity is a crucial factor in SMC trading. It is a point in the price of an asset where
orders are either sitting above or below, waiting to be collected. There are different
types of liquidity, e.g., trendline liquidity, buy-side liquidity, sell-side liquidity, double
tops, and double bottoms, etc.

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How Does The Smart Money Concept Trading
Strategy Work?

The Smart Money Concepts, often abbreviated as SMC, owe their origins to The Inner
Circle Trader (ICT), a program developed by Michael J. Huddleston. It was initially
developed as a theory. But in the world of trading, theories turn into strategies. ICT’s
teachings have been instrumental in popularizing SMC as a strategy among traders
seeking a deeper understanding of market dynamics.

One of the intriguing aspects of SMC is its unique terminology. While SMC traders use
terms like “liquidity grabs” and “mitigation blocks,” beneath the jargon lies a trading
strategy grounded in classic price action concepts. It’s like learning a new language,
but the underlying principles are more familiar than you might think.

Here are some key price action concepts that are used in SMC:

Supply and Demand: At the heart of SMC lies the age-old concept of supply and
demand. SMC traders are adept at identifying levels on price charts where
significant buying or selling orders are concentrated. When prices approach these
zones, it often results in a rapid price movement as market makers execute their
orders.

Price Patterns: Like traditional technical analysis, SMC traders look for chart patterns
that explain future price movements. These patterns can include breakouts,
reversals, and consolidations, all analyzed under the SMC framework.

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 Support and Resistance: Support and resistance levels are vital in SMC trading.
Traders identify key areas where prices tend to stall or reverse. In SMC terminology,
these levels are sometimes called “mitigation blocks.” When prices reach these
zones, SMC traders anticipate potential changes in market direction. However, unlike
price action traders who use Fibonacci levels and supply and demand zones, SMC
traders rely heavily on order block areas, break of structure, and Choch patterns.

The term “Smart Money” might sound mysterious, but it simply refers to institutional
players and market makers with significant capital. Since they have the resources
and they are standing close to the plate, these entities are concerned with profit and
understand market dynamics more deeply than retail traders.

SMC traders aim to align their strategies with the intentions of smart money, often by
tracking their movements through order blocks and breaker blocks.

Based on the SMC theory, financial markets are largely controlled by financial
institutions, hedge funds, and governments. They significantly impact price
movements in the market, and therefore, retail traders must be alert to their
intentions to predict where the market is heading.

How to Trade with the Smart Money Concept

Trading Strategy

There are different ways to trade the smart money concept strategy. While some
professional traders may be obsessed with a complicated approach, here’s a more
straightforward but effective way to trade SMC:

Step 1: Determine the Trend

The first thing you need to do when trading the SMC is to identify the primary trend. In
SMC trading, determining the trend is based on a sound understanding of market
structure. If this analysis is done correctly, we will often find trades on the right side of
the market.

As we’ve mentioned, we are in a downtrend when the price breaks structure to the
downside, forming a series of lower highs and lower lows. Conversely, a series of higher
highs and higher lows signify an uptrend. Similarly, a change of character (Choch)
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signals the change of a trend.
The chart above shows that the trend has changed from bearish to bullish after the
change of character. This means we are no longer looking to sell this pair. Instead, we
want to buy when our entry criteria appear on the chart.

Step 2: Identify High Probability Order Block

After determining the trend, we are only concerned with identifying where the market
makers are preparing to execute their orders and ride along, and this is where
identifying the best order block is crucial.

Usually, a high probability order block is one that either changes character or breaks
market structure. It must also have liquidity above or below it or a fair value gap.

In our example, we can see a sell-side liquidity building under the first order block.
Although it broke the market structureExpand
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upside, there is also a fair valued gap
directly under the supply and demand zone. We expect the market makers to take this
liquidity out before continuing the uptrend.

The order zone below the liquidity is our high probability bullish order block for various
reasons: it causes a CHoCH to the upside and has a liquidity and fair value gap just
above it. We expect prices to come to this zone and continue the uptrend.

Step 3: Determine Your Entry and Exit Points

Next, you must identify areas where the big players enter the market. Identifying entry
and exit points becomes easy after detecting a valuable supply or demand zone. For
our illustration, we will place our entry just above the bullish order block while setting
our stop loss just below the zone, and the target profit will be set to the structural high.

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Smart Money Concept vs Price Action – What’s the
Difference?

We have established that the smart money concept strategy is built on solid price
action methodologies. Indeed, the smart money concept and price action trading
have many similarities. Some might even claim that both are the same.

However, they are still different in the following ways:

Interpretation of Market Dynamics

The most important of all is how each method aims to interpret market dynamics.
Price Action traders are primarily technical traders who seek to identify trends,
reversals, and trading patterns that suggest potential price movements. They may not
be as concerned with why these movements occur as long as they can make
accurate predictions based on historical price data. They look at charts and rely on
charts. Most of the time, they do not try to understand the reason why an asset
moves in a particular direction.

SMC traders, on the other hand, are deeply interested in the underlying forces that
drive price movements. They seek to understand the intentions of market makers and
how supply and demand dynamics influence price. The core idea of the SMC theory is
that instead of looking at the chart, SMC traders try to identify where the smart money
goes. That’s the main goal of the SMC strategy – that is, to follow the money.

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Approach to Market Analysis

Price Action traders primarily rely on technical analysis tools, including candlestick
patterns, indicators, and support and resistance levels, to make trading decisions.
They pay close attention to how price moves and use historical price data to identify
potential trade setups.

SMC traders, meanwhile, look beyond price patterns. They analyze order blocks and
breaker blocks to gauge the intentions of institutional players. SMC traders are more
concerned with why prices move the way they do, which often involves understanding
the activities of market makers.

Terminology

Price Action trading relies on a relatively straightforward set of terms and concepts,
making it accessible to traders of all levels. It involves terms like doji, hammer, double
top, or the Non-Farm Payrolls – all widely recognized in the trading community.

SMC introduces a unique vocabulary, including “liquidity grabs” and “mitigation

blocks.” These terms may sound unfamiliar to traders who are not well-versed in the
SMC strategy.

Is the SMC a Good or a Bad Trading Method?

Generally, opinions vary widely regarding the effectiveness of the Smart Money
Concept (SMC). Some traders swear by it, while others remain skeptical. Still, here’s all
the information you need to choose which side you’re on:

Pros

SMC Does Seem to Work for Some Traders: The Smart Money Concept has
proven to be a valuable tool for many traders. It provides a unique perspective
on market dynamics, helping traders make informed decisions. Those who
have found success with SMC argue that if it works for them, and there’s no
reason not to use it. They appreciate its focus on understanding the intentions
of institutional players and believe it enhances their trading acumen.

SMC as a Repackaged Price Action: One argument favoring SMC is that it

repackages price action trading, which has a long history of producing positive
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results. Price action, which analyzes Offer
price movements and patterns without
 relying on the smart money concept, has been embraced by traders across
various assets, including currencies, stocks, and commodities. Since SMC is built
upon these core price action principles, supporters see it as a strategy with a
solid foundation that aims to be an improvement of the price action trading
method.

Enhanced Understanding through SMC: Some traders find that SMC provides a
clearer, more structured way to understand price action and markets dynamic.
The unique terminology used in SMC can simplify complex concepts for those
who resonate with this approach. It offers traders a fresh perspective and a
new lens through which to view the market.

Cons

The Lack of Concrete Evidence: Critics of the Smart Money Concept raise valid
concerns about its validity as a trading strategy. While SMC traders assert that
market manipulations by “smart money” players are responsible for certain
SMC patterns, there is a notable absence of concrete evidence to support
these claims. Skeptics argue that without verifiable proof of such
manipulations, accepting SMC as a reliable strategy is challenging.

The Significance of Retail Trader Liquidity: Another point of contention revolves

around the role of retail traders in the market. SMC suggests that “smart
money” hunts for liquidity provided by retail traders. However, skeptics argue
that the liquidity contributed by retail traders is relatively insignificant in the
grand scheme of things. Market makers, the alleged manipulators, have access
to vast pools of capital, making it unlikely that they would target small retail
traders.

Complicated Terminology for Beginners: The unique terminology used in SMC

can be overwhelming for newcomers to the trading industry. Skeptics argue
that simpler terminology would make trading strategies more accessible to a
broader audience and reduce confusion among new traders.

Overall, whether you agree with the Smart Money Concept theory or not, one thing is
clear: the strategy works. At least for some traders. While learning the concept might
seem challenging for new traders, understanding the smart money theory creates the
right context that shortens this learning curve. That is especially the case if you believe
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in the notion that large financial institutions, governments, and central banks are those
who control the markets.

Frequently Asked Questions About the Smart

Money Concept

Here are some of the most frequently asked questions about the smart money
concept in trading:

Does the smart money concept really work in trading?

The effectiveness of the Smart Money Concept in trading is a subject of debate

among traders. Some believe it can provide valuable insights into market dynamics
and enhance their trading decisions, while others remain skeptical, citing a lack of
concrete evidence and the complexity of its terminology.

While success with the Smart Money Concept depends on individual preferences,
trading goals, and the trader’s ability to understand and implement its principles
effectively, trading the strategy has proven to provide a profitable edge in the market.

What is the smart money concept in forex?

The Smart Money Concept in forex refers to a forex trading strategy that focuses on
understanding the behavior of institutional players, often referred to as the “smart
money,” such as banks and hedge funds. It involves analyzing supply and demand
dynamics, order blocks, breaker blocks, and other price patterns to make informed
trading decisions to align one’s strategy with the intentions of these institutional
players.

Yet, unlike other markets, the Forex market is largely driven by central banks’ needs. As
such, it’s presumably easier to identify governmental involvements in the FX currency
market.

How do you master smart money concepts?

To master Smart Money Concepts, traders should study the strategy thoroughly. This
includes learning the unique terminology associated with the concept.
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Additionally, traders should practice analyzing supply and demand dynamics, order
flow trading, and price patterns in real-market conditions. Continuous learning,
disciplined risk management, and experience are key to becoming proficient in this
strategy.

Do smart money concepts work in the stock market?

Like the forex market, the stock market works on the same principle of supply and
demand, human psychology, and market sentiment. And, since large financial
institutions and central banks have direct involvement in equity markets, then yes, the
Smart Money Concept can certainly work in the stock market.

How can you spot smart money price movement?

Spotting smart money price movements involves analyzing the market for signs of
significant buying or selling activity by institutional players, such as banks and hedge
funds. Traders often look for order blocks and breaker blocks, as well as price patterns
that suggest liquidity grabs or mitigations.

Additionally, monitoring changes in trading volume, order flow, and support and
resistance levels can help identify smart money price movements. Combining these
technical analyses with a deep understanding of market dynamics and Level 2
market data is crucial to spot smart money actions effectively.

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