Trading Traps

Doji in Chop

A doji pattern appearing in a ranging, choppy market

A doji in chop refers to doji candles appearing in sideways, range-bound markets. While dojis normally signal indecision that may lead to reversal, in choppy markets they are just noise and have no predictive value.

How to Recognize

  • Market is range-bound (RANGE regime)
  • Multiple dojis appearing without follow-through
  • No clear trend direction
  • Price bouncing between support and resistance

How to Avoid

  • Identify market regime before trading patterns
  • Don't trade reversal patterns in ranges
  • Wait for regime change to trending
  • Focus on range trading strategies instead