Marking Levels Before the Bell: A Practical Sequence

Most traders know they should mark levels before the open. Fewer have a repeatable sequence that fits in twenty minutes. This article walks through the order we teach in our Khlong San workshops — designed for regional indices but adaptable to any liquid instrument you follow.

Start with the prior session close

Before looking at overnight action, note where price settled relative to the prior day's range. Was the close near the high, the low, or mid-range? Write one line: "Close position: upper third / lower third / middle." This anchors everything that follows.

Scan overnight gaps and news

Check whether price gapped up, down, or held flat. Classify the gap: continuation (in the direction of the prior trend), exhaustion (against recent momentum), or common (inside yesterday's range). List any headlines that could explain unusual volume — but do not let headlines override what the chart shows.

Mark three levels minimum

Every pre-open map needs at least: prior day high, prior day low, and the overnight high or low if one formed. Add opening-range projection lines only after these three are inked. Use a pencil if you are on paper; use a distinct colour if you are digital — the point is that these levels survive the first five minutes of trading.

Finish with a bias draft

Write a single sentence: "If price holds above [level], bias is [direction] until [invalidation level]." Read it aloud. If it sounds vague, the levels are not sharp enough — go back and tighten.