If Trading Was About Sessions, Everyone Would Be Profitable

[macrolens]

One thing I’ve noticed after years of watching trading content online is how disconnected it is from actual trading.

Social media is full of clean narratives:
“Trade only New York session”
“Focus on London–NY overlap”
“Wait for the perfect setup every day”

It sounds professional, but it ignores a basic reality:
the market doesn’t hand out high-quality opportunities on a schedule.

Good trades are rare. Some days there are none. Some days there’s one move that matters, and it doesn’t care which session you prefer.

Restricting yourself to specific hours and expecting consistent account growth is more about creating content than trading reality.

Most of these rules exist because they’re easy to explain, easy to sell, and comforting to beginners. Real trading is messier, less repeatable, and far less cinematic.

Curious how others here see this.
Which popular trading “rules” do you think are more marketing than reality?

[gibrab16]

One thing I’ve noticed after years of watching trading content online is how disconnected it is from actual trading.

Social media is full of clean narratives:
“Trade only New York session”
“Focus on London–NY overlap”
“Wait for the perfect setup every day”

It sounds professional, but it ignores a basic reality:
the market doesn’t hand out high-quality opportunities on a schedule.

Good trades are rare. Some days there are none. Some days there’s one move that matters, and it doesn’t care which session you prefer.

Restricting yourself to specific hours and expecting consistent account growth is more about creating content than trading reality.

Most of these rules exist because they’re easy to explain, easy to sell, and comforting to beginners. Real trading is messier, less repeatable, and far less cinematic.

Curious how others here see this.
Which popular trading “rules” do you think are more marketing than reality?

for sure a lot of trading rules are just content friendly sound bites what people rally wonna see. The market does not care about your schedule or your favorite session. Some days it is dead others days it pops that is just reality tho. people want clean systems but real trading is messy and we need to learn to understand that. the edge is learning to adapt not forcing trades to match a script

[BitMaxz]

Well, there are sessions that have huge buy and sell volumes; depending on what strategy they use, if they are trading scalps and targeting the more volatile session, these NY and London sessions actually have high trading volumes, so expect to see big spikes during those sessions. 
I don't know why you tell that these sessions aren't important. You better check the chart and monitor them for yourself live every session open.
You should also be able to see the volume indicator and notice those high volumes during those session openings.

Those people are day traders or scalpers. What you are pointing to is that without a schedule, you can still be able to make a good trade without them, meaning you are swing trading? Because they don't care about these sessions.

[Coyster]

These sessions are not useless and traders actually do take advantage of them based on their strategy. Nothing can guarantee you success in trading, but you better your chances of successfully delivering your strategy if you understand the market dynamics and stuff like this. It would put you in a better position that's for sure.

That said, for example the New York session is renowned for high volatility and trading volume. Thus what a good trader would do is to employ the right strategy that suits this particular session, in order to increase their chances of success, which is to maximize profit.

[YOSHIE]

One thing I’ve noticed after years of watching trading content online is how disconnected it is from actual trading.

Have you ever thought that most trading activities on social media, YouTube or other media, are just demo sessions, sessions marking what is done in real trading activities and actually happening.

In trading there are basic rules that must be understood well and wisely, so that all trading activities run smoothly, you cannot guide certain sessions, such as the Liquidity & Volatility session because you carry out trading activities in different places and alsodifferent exchange you use, Time period sessions are the same, for example you do it at 00:00 - 09:00 WIB/UTC+7, when it's quiet and the European session is 14:00 - 22:00 WIB/UTC+7, you need to understand, all of that doesn't guarantee you success in crypto trading, the session guidelines are okay but not completely.

[joeperry]

That's actually not a rule and there's no rule in trading. Regarding the New York session or London-NY overlap are more on Forex trading and they usually highlight to trade only on those time because that's where the highest trading volume occurs that's why even in trading cryptocurrency they also say that it's better to trade during this hours since the market is active and there's a lot of movements in the market. It's true that there's no perfect setup every day and only rare if you'll find one but it doesn't mean that you need to strictly follow those.

Some contents only were just exaggerated about the market and it doesn't actually mean that you should follow it, but it also doesn't mean that they are wrong and you can't learn from them. What they mostly teach are the concepts and some tips and it doesn't mean that you should follow those, you can either apply it yourself or in your trading strategy.

[SilentNightmare]

I mostly agree with you.

Sessions can affect volatility and liquidity, but they don’t magically create edge. The market doesn’t care about our schedules, real opportunities show up when conditions line up, not when the clock says London or NY open.

A lot of those “rules” feel more like structure for beginners and content for social media than actual sources of profitability. In real trading, it’s about context, risk management, and adapting to changing regimes, not waiting for a perfect hourly window every day.

[Coyster]

Sessions can affect volatility and liquidity, but they don’t magically create edge.

Of course they don't. I don't know how content creators talk about it, because i do not watch such stuff, but i think any "good" trader should understand that it does not magically create an edge. That said, it does not mean that it isn't something to look out for and position yourself based on the recirring market situation at those times.

That said, there is no set in stone rule that must be followed. There isn't even any rule that guarantees success, but it is important for new traders to understand things like this based on the kind of trader and their strategy.

[macson]

There are so many trading strategies spread on social media, some say it's better to be like this, or it's better to choose trading time at that hour, etc.

There is nothing wrong with what they say because on social media it is free to express opinions or experiences. However, no one can guarantee whether this strategy is suitable for everyone, maybe there are those who are suitable and there are also those who are not, because every trader has a different strategy.

What is important is how you as a trader are able to choose a strategy that suits you. If you feel that the rules are simply unreasonable, you can ignore them.

[SilentNightmare]

Sessions can influence volatility and liquidity, but they’re not an edge by themselves. Real opportunities come from market conditions lining up, structure, flow, risk, not from the clock hitting a certain hour

A lot of those rules are more about giving beginners a simple framework and something easy to market. In real trading, some days there’s nothing, some days there’s one good move, and forcing trades just because it’s a session usually hurts more than it helps

[macrolens]

for sure a lot of trading rules are just content friendly sound bites what people rally wonna see. The market does not care about your schedule or your favorite session. Some days it is dead others days it pops that is just reality tho. people want clean systems but real trading is messy and we need to learn to understand that. the edge is learning to adapt not forcing trades to match a script

Agreed. Adaptability is the real edge.
My point is that sessions don’t create opportunity, they just provide conditions.
If you don’t understand who is in control of price and why, a fixed schedule won’t save you

[FirmWars]

Curious how others here see this.
Which popular trading “rules” do you think are more marketing than reality?

Most of the rules I see them share are truly realistic, although some of them also say things that are not legit trading rules but just a pitch from them to sweet talk someone that is watching their videos so that the person can believe that trading is easy. The trading sessions that they are talking about is still a basic thing for a trader but you must study it careful and understand what is happening and how you can take advantage from the session too but what you must know is that every day is not the same, if you had opportunity to sell on the New York session today, it might take days too before you can encounter the same opportunity again on that same session. When you hear about trading session, it doesn't mean that you must see opportunity to make profit on those session every day, no, it not like that.

[macrolens]

Well, there are sessions that have huge buy and sell volumes; depending on what strategy they use, if they are trading scalps and targeting the more volatile session, these NY and London sessions actually have high trading volumes, so expect to see big spikes during those sessions. 
I don't know why you tell that these sessions aren't important. You better check the chart and monitor them for yourself live every session open.
You should also be able to see the volume indicator and notice those high volumes during those session openings.

Those people are day traders or scalpers. What you are pointing to is that without a schedule, you can still be able to make a good trade without them, meaning you are swing trading? Because they don't care about these sessions.

I’m not saying sessions aren’t important or that volume doesn’t increase.
I’m saying more volume doesn’t mean your strategy will align with direction.
That same volume spike can just as easily be liquidity being harvested against you.
High activity is a double-edged sword.

[AakZaki]

I myself can't seem to be able to trade at certain hours, because of my erratic sleep hours as well. I also don't care what time of day if the indicator shows a sign to buy I will do it, especially to carry out trading activities we need a calm mood. If it is required at a certain hour and then our mood or mentality is bad at that time, then it will be much riskier to do it, it could be that the trading is chaotic.

Sometimes I also look at the world news schedule, for example about the US tax cuts. When that will happen I will look at it until a decision has been made. So at any time I will do it if it is possible.

[Japinat]

What we see online from those trading influencers are only those trades that are manageable to them, trades that end up profitable for them, but those trades that are left manageable and have gone out from their plans and expectations, they remain it hidden and only the real traders know that.

That is why I don't see trading as mostly profitable for those who want risk and challenges, and for those who have huge amount of funds to trade, because in reality, trading is highly risky, messy and even dangerous for those who are beginners who rush into trading without practical knowledge and known reliable experience.

Now with regards about sessions in trading, one thing I know, regardless if what session to take, it will make you profitable if you know how to follow the rules and stick to it as long as you are still trading.

[Alphakilo]

I kind of see a truth in the title of this post but there are some phrases that make the market what it is today and if they should be included, everyone would definitely run from trading because it won't be profitable to many if it was in sessions and if we are talking about crypto trading that has activities 24/7, it won't be as popular as it is today nor have a competitive edge against forex nor other markets that trade for almost the whole day and on some weekends.

The reality is that the market is much more noisy and always disturbed that a simple phrase or slogan, cannot give a meaning to it.
The rules that we are exposed to as traders revolve around buying the dip, follow the smart money and learn and apply TA, but the reality is that a trader can't keep buying the dip unless some intelligent strategies is employed that may involve risk management skill like financial knowledge and budgeting and diversification. Large funds move slow TA only shows history of trades for stats and comparison during decision making.

 

[justdimin]

Of course they don't. I don't know how content creators talk about it, because i do not watch such stuff, but i think any "good" trader should understand that it does not magically create an edge. That said, it does not mean that it isn't something to look out for and position yourself based on the recirring market situation at those times.

That said, there is no set in stone rule that must be followed. There isn't even any rule that guarantees success, but it is important for new traders to understand things like this based on the kind of trader and their strategy.

Honestly for me it is more about just letting the strategy do the work and not me. Because if you know what you are looking for, you can setup a strategy on when to buy and when to sell, so you enter a "If X happens, let me know" and that is when you buy or sell and that makes a lot of sense for you.

However, if you do a "session" then it means you are only bound by that period and nothing more. This is why there aren't really that much to do during a session, because none of that may hit during that session and you may just end up forcing it for no reason.

[macrolens]

These sessions are not useless and traders actually do take advantage of them based on their strategy. Nothing can guarantee you success in trading, but you better your chances of successfully delivering your strategy if you understand the market dynamics and stuff like this. It would put you in a better position that's for sure.

That said, for example the New York session is renowned for high volatility and trading volume. Thus what a good trader would do is to employ the right strategy that suits this particular session, in order to increase their chances of success, which is to maximize profit.

Volatility increases probability of movement, not probability of being right.
If market makers are distributing or absorbing liquidity, volatility can work against you just as fast as for you.
Understanding intent matters more than choosing the “right” session.

[macrolens]

Of course they don't. I don't know how content creators talk about it, because i do not watch such stuff, but i think any "good" trader should understand that it does not magically create an edge. That said, it does not mean that it isn't something to look out for and position yourself based on the recirring market situation at those times.

That said, there is no set in stone rule that must be followed. There isn't even any rule that guarantees success, but it is important for new traders to understand things like this based on the kind of trader and their strategy.

Honestly for me it is more about just letting the strategy do the work and not me. Because if you know what you are looking for, you can setup a strategy on when to buy and when to sell, so you enter a "If X happens, let me know" and that is when you buy or sell and that makes a lot of sense for you.

However, if you do a "session" then it means you are only bound by that period and nothing more. This is why there aren't really that much to do during a session, because none of that may hit during that session and you may just end up forcing it for no reason.

Exactly.
A strategy should be condition-driven, not time-driven. If price hasn't shown what you're waiting for, the correct action is no trade, regardless of the session. Sessions can frame activity, but they shouldn't pressure you into participation. Similarly, don't ignore a valid entry signal simply because it occurs outside your usual trading hours. Forcing trades because 'this is my trading hour' is where mistakes begin."

[Rengga Jati]

Many social media channels, including live platforms, broadcast and provide various trading information, including their own analysis, to gain more attention. One of their goals is to gain trust, high attention, and ultimately, attract more members to join them by making them appear as if trading is easy, as long as users are willing to join their classes.

but, nope, that's not that simple.

Curious how others here see this.
Which popular trading “rules” do you think are more marketing than reality?

"Learn with XXXXX about trading analyis and strategi, get more VIP signal, and  easy wias to always get profits."
a sentence that is "too good to be true", but unfortunately there are still many people, especially newcomers, who immediately believe it.