MNQ · MES · New York open

The exact MNQ opening-range setup I trade on a funded account.

Mark the levels, let the 9:30–9:45 ET range form, and only take the trade when every box is checked. Start with the free 5-Check MNQ Opening-Range Filter I run before every entry.

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I trade MNQ/MES on a prop-firm funded account.
MNQ 5-minute chart of the Sep 29 reverse opening-range long Sep 29 · Reverse ORB long · ≈ +$728
The guide

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The complete guide

MNQ & MES Strategy Guide

$1,000

The full system I trade: key levels, the 9:45 ET opening range, breakout and 50% retrace entries, stop and target placement, and real MNQ/MES trade walkthroughs.

  • Key-level map and pre-market routine
  • Opening-range breakout + 50% retrace entries
  • Stops, targets and position sizing for prop accounts
  • Annotated real trades
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Real trades

Two recent MNQ trades, real fills

Same process both days: levels marked before the open, a written trigger, and the stop defined before entry.

MNQ 5-minute chart, Sep 29: long entries at 30,562.25 and 30,599.25, exit of all 17 contracts at 30,603.25
Tue Sep 29 · MNQ 5-min · Long

Reverse ORB long

≈ +$728

Price flushed into the New York Low, failed to hold below it, and snapped back. I bought the reclaim and added once it confirmed.

Buy 8 @ 30,562.25 · add 9 @ 30,599.25 · sell 17 @ 30,603.25
MNQ 5-minute chart, Sep 28: short 9 contracts at 30,481.75 below the London Low, covered at 30,448.75
Mon Sep 28 · MNQ 5-min · Short

London Low break, retrace short

+33 pts ≈ +$594

A full 5-minute bar closed below the London Low on a bearish trend day. No chase: I waited for the retracement, then shorted.

Short 9 @ 30,481.75 · stop 30,560 · cover 9 @ 30,448.75
I trade MNQ/MES on a prop-firm funded account. Charts on TradingView, executions through Tradovate. Losing trades happen too. These are two examples, not an average.

Results vary. Past trades don’t predict future results. Dollar figures are approximate and before commissions and fees.

The free filter

The 5 checks inside

Two printable pages. Five checks, each with a one-line why. If any check fails, the answer is no trade.

  • Levels marked before 9:30 ETPrior-day high/low, overnight and London levels on the chart before the bell.
  • The 9:30–9:45 range is completeNo trade until the opening range has formed.
  • A >50% body break of a key levelA real close through the level, not a wick.
  • A limit at the 50% retraceNo chasing the breakout candle.
  • Stop, 1:1 and size set before the fillRisk is defined before you’re in.
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Preview of the 5-Check MNQ Opening-Range Filter Preview the filter →
Who it’s for

Built for traders who want rules, not calls

Good fit

  • Newer MNQ/MES traders who want a written process before adding size
  • Prop-firm eval or funded traders who keep breaking their own rules
  • Anyone who trades the New York open and wants a clear no-trade filter

Not a fit

  • Looking for trade alerts or copy-trading
  • Unwilling to use a stop or size from risk
About

I’m Preston

I day trade MNQ and MES futures on a prop-firm funded account, mostly around the New York open. My process is deliberately simple: mark the levels, wait for the opening range, define risk before entry, and sit out when the setup isn’t there.

I post my charts and trade breakdowns on X and YouTube.

X · @PrestonMNQMES YouTube · @PrestonMNQMES
Free

Run the 5-Check Filter before your next open

The same five checks I run before every MNQ entry. Free, printable, takes two minutes. Want more? See the full guide.

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