3 Line Strike Pattern: What It Means and How to Use It3 Line Strike Pattern: What It Means and How to Use It in Trading
Candlestick patterns are crucial tools for traders, offering valuable insights into market sentiment and potential price movements. Among these patterns, the Three Line Strike setup is particularly sought after by traders in forex, stock, commodity, and index markets. This article explores the intricacies of the Three Line Strike, explaining how to identify it on charts, highlighting its unique characteristics, and discussing how to incorporate it into trading strategies.
Three Line Strike Pattern: An Overview
The Three Line Strike is a candlestick pattern used in technical analysis to trade trend continuations. However, it often appears ahead of trend reversals. The pattern consists of four candlesticks and can be found in up- and downtrends.
Bearish Three Line Strike
The bearish 3 Line Strike candlestick pattern suggests a continuation of a downtrend. It starts with three consecutive bearish candles, each opening and closing lower than the previous one. This is followed by a large bullish candle, which opens lower and closes above the open price of the first bearish candle. This pattern reflects the strength of the downtrend. Still, it may appear at the bottom of the downtrend and signal a trend reversal.
Bullish Three Line Strike
The bullish 3 Line Strike candlestick pattern suggests the potential continuation of a solid uptrend. It starts with three consecutive bullish candles, each opening and closing higher than the last. This is followed by a large bearish candle, which opens higher and closes below the close of the first bullish candle. This pattern indicates that the solid uptrend may continue, but it may signal the market will turn down if it’s formed at the peak of the uptrend.
Analysing Three Line Strike Patterns
As the Three Line Strike pattern can provide both reversal and continuation signals, it’s vital to combine it with other analytical tools, including trend indicators like moving averages and oscillators like the Relative Strength Index. Also, traders consider the overall trend on higher timeframes.
- Entry: To enter a trade using the Three Line Strike, traders identify the overall trend. They may wait for the pattern to be formed and the following candle to close. If the following candle is bearish, traders usually open a sell position. If it is bullish, they consider an opportunity to go long. However, traders also may enter the market at the closure of the pattern’s fourth candle.
- Stop Loss: Risk management is crucial, and traders typically set their stop-loss levels above/below the fourth candle, considering the trend strength. Alternatively, they may place the stop-loss order below or above the nearest swing point or support/resistance level, considering market volatility and risk tolerance.
- Take Profit: Traders aim to secure their potential profits by setting profit targets based on the risk/reward ratio. This could be at the next significant support or resistance level or based on technical indicators, including Fibonacci retracements.
A trader finds a bullish 3 Line Strike setup on the daily chart of Qualcomm stock. However, this time, it serves as a reversal signal. They enter the short position at the close of the candle, following the pattern. Their stop loss is above the setup, with the take profit at the next support level.
A bearish Three Line Strike setup is formed on the hourly chart of Brent Crude Oil. A trader takes a long position at the close of the fourth candlestick. Their stop loss is below the formation, with the take profit placed at the next resistance level.
Psychology Behind the Three Line Strike Pattern
The effectiveness of the Three Line Strike pattern relies on understanding the underlying psychological factors influencing market participants. Greed, fear, hope, and anxiety drive buying and selling decisions.
- Initial Sentiment: The first few candlesticks in a Three Line Strike candlestick pattern represent the prevailing sentiment in the market. Typically, this sentiment is characterised by either greed (in an upward trend) or fear (in a downward trend), depending on the market direction prior to forming the pattern.
- Potential Reversal: Although this pattern is considered continuation, in most cases, it provides a reversal signal. A strong fourth candle that engulfs three smaller candlesticks reflects the change in the market sentiment. The reversal signal triggers market participants to reassess existing positions and strategies.
- Reaction: Those who were previously aligned with the old trend may feel fear or anxiety, leading them to unwind their positions to avoid potential losses. Meanwhile, contrarian traders, driven by a sense of opportunity and confidence, may enter new positions in anticipation of the emerging trend reversal, fueled by their belief that market sentiment is shifting.
Application in Trading Strategies
Applying the 3 Line strike pattern in trading strategies encompasses various elements beyond just its recognition. Let's delve into how traders implement additional steps to enhance their overall trading performance.
- Seeking Additional Confirmation: Traders often seek additional confirmation from other technical indicators such as the Relative Strength Index (RSI), Moving Average Convergence Divergence (MACD), or Bollinger Bands. These indicators offer complementary insights into market dynamics, validating the signals generated by the Three Line Strike pattern.
- Strategic Placement and Timeframe Alignment: Traders may align the pattern with key support or resistance levels on higher timeframes to validate its significance and potential reversal points. Through multi-timeframe trading, traders may gain a more comprehensive understanding of market trends to analyse future price movements.
- Entry and Risk Management: Traders should place their entry and exit points carefully. As the pattern may provide continuation and reversal signals, incorporating disciplined risk management techniques might help traders protect their capital and minimise their potential losses.
Caveats to the Pattern
High volatility periods can amplify the occurrence of false signals and erratic price movements, potentially leading to misguided trades. Conversely, during periods of low volatility, price action may be sluggish, and confirmations could be delayed. Therefore, it's important for traders to adapt their strategies accordingly.
Another important consideration is the possibility of false breakouts. Despite the apparent formation of a Three Line Strike pattern, there's a risk of the price briefly breaching the pattern's boundaries before reverting to its original direction. These false breakouts can deceive traders into entering premature trades, resulting in losses. To mitigate this risk, traders can exercise patience and vigilance, waiting for strong confirmation signals before committing to a trade.
Key Differences Between Three Line Strike and The Three Black Crows/Three White Soldiers
The key differences between the Three Line Strike pattern and the Three Black Crows/Three White Soldiers patterns lie in their trading formations and implications:
Aspect - Three Line Strike Pattern
Formation - Consists of four consecutive candlesticks, with the fourth candlestick completely engulfing the previous three.
Implication - Indicates either a trend continuation or a reversal in market sentiment, either from bullish to bearish or vice versa.
Aspect - Three Black Crows/Three White Soldiers
Formation - Consists of three consecutive candlesticks with progressively lower (crows) or higher (soldiers) closing prices.
Implication - Reflects a strong momentum in the direction of the prevailing trend, suggesting a continuation of the trend rather than a reversal.
The Bottom Line
The Three Line Strike is a complicated pattern as it may provide continuation and reversal signals. Despite its complexity, it often appears on a price chart, making it a valuable tool for traders. Mastering price action chart analysis is a gradual process. However, with skill, traders can potentially improve their trading efficiency.
FAQs
What Is the 3 Strike Rule in Trading?
The 3 strike rule in trading refers to the Three Line Strike pattern. The pattern consists of three consecutive up/down candles followed by a fourth long bearish/bullish candle that opens above/below the previous candle’s close but closes below/above the first candle's open. It’s believed to provide continuation signals, but it often appears before a trend reversal.
What Is the Three Strike Strategy?
The Three Strike Strategy refers to the 3 Line Strike candlestick pattern. It’s based on the assumption that the pattern will be followed by either a reversal or a continuation of the trend. Traders often wait for the candlestick to close above/below the pattern for an entry point, place a profit target, considering the closest resistance/support levels, and potentially limit losses by placing a stop-loss order below/above the pattern.
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3linestrike
Tel Aviv Stock Exchange: 3 Falling Peaks into a 3 Line StrikeBeyond just the implications of the war, the technical setup on the Tel Aviv Stock Exchange looks very Bearish as if it's ready to collapse to new lows, as it has confirmed 3 Falling Peaks and will confirm a 3 Line Strike on the Monthly Timeframe in just 14 hours.
I expect that the exchange and all 15 of its Foreign and Domestic owners will be negatively affected in the process. Which mostly consist of Israeli Banks and Holdings Companies but also consist of Foreign banks such as UBS, BCS, HSBC, Citigroup, and Merrill Lynch International, which is owned by Bank of America, to name a few.
MCOM: 3 Line Strike at PCZ of Bullish Deep CrabThe RSI is peaking above the oversold zone after confirming a Bullish engulfing and very nearly confirming a 3 Line Strike at the PCZ of a Bullish Deep Crab.
I do not normally enter stocks like this, but seeing how cheap this stock is and how the market cap is only $5 Million, yet the annual revenue is more than half of that, along with the fact that there is a bit of a technical argument for a gap fill from these levels, I decided it was worth taking a small chance on this stock to see if it can gain some major upside.
LLY: The NVDA of Pharmaceuticals Showing Signs of Future DeclineIf we close the day as we are now, we will have confirmed a 3 Line Strike, a Bearish PPO Arrow, and a break below the 5 EMA on the Daily Timeframe just above the 3.618 Fibonacci Extension. From there I would expect LLY to first Fill the gap at $451.50 and beyond that I think it will revisit the 200-day SMA around $350 and maybe even the 800-day EMA at around $285.
Yum! Brands: Bearish Shark With Bearish Divergence and Daily 3LSWe have a 1.13 Shark here with Bearish Divergence Visible on the Weekly Timeframe, and right now on the Daiy Timeframe was have a Confirmed 3 Line Strike. If things go as I expect we will see YUM work it's way down and below the trendline before then making it's way towards the 0.618 Fibonacci Retrace over the next several months.
MELI Engulfing Green Bar Three Line Bearish886.75)MELI is like a hydrid between Shopify and Amazon on the South American markets
Fundarmentally its revenue compared to market cap is more favorable than either of those.
On the weekly chart, MELI double topped to its historical high in February 2021 and September 2021.
It then descended to a pivot bottom in July 22
The chart now shows a large green engulfing candle taking out most or all of the previous
5-15 candles or a so called " Big Ass Candle". This could represent the end of a consolidation period
and the beginning of the resumption of down-trending price action. Last August a similar
engulfing green weekly candle preceded a downtrend.
I have plotted the long-term anchored VWAP and also the 6-month volume profile.
I will take a short swin trade if price drops below the POC line of the volume profile. ( 886.75)
If however, price approaches or crosses the VWAP ( 1060) I will take a long trade.
Given the stock price a 6 month expiration call or put option may be the best trade
method allowing for the taking of multiple contracts and then scaling out type trade
management stratery.
Raytheon Technologies: 3 Line Strike at PCZ of Bearish CypherThe Defense Sector in general seems to be overhyped as if it expects earnings not to matter anymore but the PE/Ratios keep rising as if it's betting on the US to enter a direct armed conflict rather than reality which is that we are simply just providing old unused equipment to the Ukraine. I think in the near future the market will realize this and we will see prices on these kinds of stocks got lower as the PE Ratios compress just like every other speculative growth stock has done during the cycle.
BTCUSD Bearish Projection For The Remainder of the WeekWe have this Confirmed Bullish 3 Line Strike on the 4HR at the level of the macro 786 retrace from low to high, we don't have Bearish Divergence but it does lead me to think we get a midterm pullback back to the 16k Level likley within the week before looking to continue higher:
SPY Update: Bullish Trade Idea Still AliveDespite being tempted to exit this trade during the extended hours activity but i'm now seeing a bullish variables during the regular session such as a Bearish 3 Line Strike at the 88.6% retrace and it's coming off of oversold conditions on the RSI so im adding to my UVXY and TZA puts and shorts and staying long the SPY.
ARUSD: Bearish 3 Line Strike and a Close Above the 0.786 RetraceArweave today has simultaneously closed above the 0.786 retrace and has taken out the last 3-4 Days of Bearish Price Action on the Daily Timeframe.
We may also be at the PCZ of some sort of Deep Cypher Pattern; it can't be a Shark because the 1.618 Extension is nowhere near being reached so i think it's a Deep Cypher.
Dogechain 3 Line Strike Bullish FractalDogechain appears to be acting similarly to how it did before the first pump as it's formed a Bearish 3 Line Strike Pattern, Broken out of a Parallel Channel, and now it it stands to make a higher low on the Macro and go for an ABCD movement to the upside which would take it to the 1.618 Fibonacci Extension above.
LUNC daily 3 line strike!!On the daily chart we have a confirmed bearish 3 line strike pattern confirmation. Don't let the name fool you it's actually a bullish pattern. The 3 line strike is a reversal pattern normally appearing at the end of a trend. We should be poised for more upside in the coming days and weeks as this marks the possible bottom for LUNC. The RSI on the daily has came off the massive overbought territory and has now creeped back into the bullish control zone. The MACD is also showing hidden bullish divergence
Lots of bullish arguments happening on the 4 hour chartAfter the bullish run we are not having what seems to be a bullish consolidation happening on the 4 hour. First we have the bull pennant formed. The supply line of that said bull pennant just so happens to be the breakout line of a bullish dragon. When ever dragons appear you more than likely will find a harmonic pattern. In the case of Luna Classic we have a gartley harmonic pattern showing if the dragon and bull pennant breaks to the upside. Also we have a bearish 3 line strike that just appeared on the last candle close. For those that don't know the 3 line strike pattern is a reversal pattern, so a bearish one actually means its going to be a bullish reversal. The RSI and MACD are both showing hidden bullish divergence. Which calls for a continuation to the upside.
LITECOIN to Take $19 Billion From The TOTAL2 Altcoin MarketcapWe have a Bullish 3 Line Strike as well as a Tweezer Top Visible on the Monthly Timeframe which would Currently put LTC on a path to take atleast a 3.7% Market Cap Dominance over the Total2 Crypto Market Cap which at TOTAL2's current USD value would put LTC at a Market Cap of atleast $19 Billion which is a little over 11 times more than it's current Market Cap; Assuming that the Circulating Supply of LTC remains near where it is, that would imply that the LTC/USD price will go up to around $584.85 per coin of this TOTAL2/LTC chart were to play out.
EURO/GBP: 3 Line Strike on the WeeklyWe have a confirmed Bullish 3 Line Strike on the Weekly as seen below as well as an Unconfirmed Bearish Engulfing on the Monthly i believe the Confirmed Weekly Bearish Pattern has given us a Potential Entry to try to catch the Monthly BAMM Move a bit early and if it plays out we will see the bottom of the overall range again which is near the .886 retrace.
DXY Set Up For A Mild CorrectionWe have a Three Line Strike visible on the Daily with some Bearish Divergence and if it goes down from here and below the B point we will be set up for a Bat Action Magnet Move that could take us to the 0.886-1.13 PCZ.
On a side note here i believe the Japanese Yen will be responsible for most of the DXY's decline so i will be expecting the Yen to gain value against many currencies during this decline in the DXY