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Easy To Follow 1 Minute Scalping Strategy

Steve Miley trader
Updated 22 Feb 2024

Finding a trading strategy that provides you with a market edge can be an extremely difficult task to conquer, with various factors to consider. However, for those who prefer fast-paced action and the potential for swift returns, then the 1-minute scalping strategy might be the one for you.


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1 Minute Scalping Strategy

In this article, we'll explore some of the top 1-minute scalping trading strategies to help you make quick, informed decisions in the fast-paced world of trading. Stay tuned to discover which approach best suits your trading style and goals. Each of these strategies can be used for stock, commodity, cryptocurrency, equity, or forex trading. We will take you through:

What Is Scalping and How Does It Work?

Scalping is a trading style where a trader capitalises and profits from small price movements. The goal of scalping is to take as many small profits as possible. The trades are usually held for a short period, and the trader executing a scalping strategy will not hold positions overnight.

Scalping requires a very strict exit strategy, as one large loss could eliminate the many small gains you may have made.

Check out our 1-minute scalping guide video for a brief overview of the strategies explained below

The main premises of scalping are:

Lessened exposure limits risk: A brief exposure to the market diminishes the probability of running into an adverse event.

Smaller moves are easier to obtain: A bigger imbalance of supply and demand is needed to warrant bigger price changes. For example, it is easier for a stock to make a $0.01 move than it is to make a $1 move.

Smaller moves are more frequent than larger ones: Even during relatively quiet markets, there are many small movements a scalper can exploit.

To understand scalping further, let us take a look at two scalping strategies:

forex 1 minute strategy

Scalping Strategy 1

This 1-minute scalping strategy is really easy to learn and can be extremely profitable if used correctly.

Here's what you need to get started:

Asset: The asset you are trading should be trending.

Time frame: Of course, your chart should be set to a one-minute time frame

Indicators: You'll need to use the Stochastic 5, 3, 3, and the 50 EMA/100 EMA

Sessions: Trade in the highly volatile New York and London trading sessions

How To Enter A Long Position

Let's focus on how to enter a long position on the strategy. A buy position in the scalping strategy will need to meet the following criteria:

  1. To enter a buy position, we first need to wait until the 50 EMA (Exponential Moving Average) is above the 100 EMA.
  2. Secondly, we need to wait for the price action to return to the EMA's.
  3. Finally, the Stochastic Oscillator must break above the 20 level.
1 minute scalping indicator

If all three of these have occurred, there is now an opportunity to open a buy order (long position).

How To Enter A Short Position

To enter a short position and sell, you will need the following to happen:

  1. The 50 EMA needs to be under the 100 EMA.
  2. Similar to the buy entry, you should wait for the price to reach the EMAs.
  3. The Stochastic Oscillator must then break below the 80 level before you open your sell order.

Stop-Loss & Take-Profit Levels

The SL and TP levels for this strategy are set out below:

Take-profit: The ideal take-profit level for this strategy is 8-12 pips from your entry.

Stop-loss: The best place for a stop-loss is around two to three pips under or above the most recent swing level.


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1 minute trading strategy

Scalping Strategy 2

The next strategy is easier to understand and follow, so let's get straight into what you will need to make it work:

Asset: Assets with a lot of volatility ( e.g.currency pair such as the EUR/USD)

Time frame: For this scalping strategy, you will need to use both the thirty-minute and one-minute charts.

Indicators: For this strategy, you will only need the Bollinger band set up.

Sessions: Again, the ideal sessions for this strategy are the New York and London sessions.

How To Enter A Long Or Short Position

To enter a position using this strategy, there are only two things you need to be aware of, so I have grouped them into one.

  1. Firstly, you need to determine the trend and market conditions using the 30-minute timeframe
  2. If the price is in an uptrend, then you enter a buy position once the price has breached the lower Bollinger band.
  3. If the price is in a downtrend, then you enter a sell position once the price has breached the upper Bollinger band.
best 1 minute scalping strategy

Take-Profit & Stop-Loss Levels

Take-Profit: When using Bollinger bands as a trading strategy, it's important to note that profit targets should be based on where the price touches the opposite band, as seen in the picture.

Stop Loss: The stop-loss level should be set 2-3 pips above or below the candle that broke the band.


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Advantages & Disadvantages of 1-Minute Scalping Strategies

Advantages of ScalpingDisadvantages of Scalping
Minimised risk as the trade is only open for a short periodNovice scalpers might be at risk of losing if they haven't carried out thorough backtesting
The trading plans allow for more frequent trades as they are smaller in sizeKeeping a positive risk-to-reward ratio can be challenging
Finally, the strategies provide many potential entries throughout the dayThere is a high risk of many consecutive losses
These strategies require you to dedicate a significant amount of time in front of the charts

Attributes of a Successful Scalper

On the surface, scalping strategies appear simple and more lucrative than swing trading due to the fact that traders have the ability to collect a full day’s profit in just a few minutes.

In reality, the successful implementation of 1-minute scalping strategies can create unexpected challenges when it comes to both the technical and mental aspects of trading. Here are some key characteristics successful scalping traders have:

  • A high level of discipline, following a strict trading plan
  • Be willing to follow the parameters of a trading system at all times
  • Scalpers are often required to make important decisions without hesitating
  • At the same time, scalpers are flexible and recognise the differences between a trade that’s working and one that isn’t.

In the end, a successful scalper is a person that’s able to play to the strengths of the market and exit trades at highly favourable moments.

Steve has 29 years of financial market experience including 3 years at Credit Suisse and 15 years at Merril Lynch. Steve is the Academic Dean for The London School of Wealth Management and has won many awards from Technical Analyst Magazine.