As a beginner in gold short-term trading, the easiest mistake to make is impatience. When you see a fluctuation in the K-line, you want to open a position immediately, fearing to miss the market, but often you get trapped right after opening. I have seen too many people lose money this way, including myself.

The root cause is simple: not knowing what to wait for. Opening the software and firing randomly is a sure way to lose.

Regarding gold short-term trading, how exactly should you find entry points? I have summarized four core tips:

**First, synchronize with the market rhythm.** Short-term relies on intraday volatility, not overnight positions. Keep an eye on the 1-minute, 5-minute, and 15-minute K-line charts to feel the tug-of-war between bulls and bears. This is the lifeline of short-term trading.

**Second, keep your tools simple.** Many traders stack multiple indicators, resulting in conflicting signals. Using just 1-3 core tools is most effective—such as candlestick patterns, moving averages, and volume. Less is more; clear insights lead to accurate judgments.

**Third, quick in and out is fundamental.** Set profit targets at $3-$8, and don’t be greedy. Strictly place stop-losses at $1-$3; if you lose, accept the loss immediately. Short-term trading is about making small profits and controlling risks.

**Fourth, seize the golden time.** The period around the London open is the most active, making it the best window for short-term entries.

Here are a few must-remember pitfalls:

Never trade within the first 5 minutes after major data releases like Non-Farm Payrolls or CPI. When big data comes out, spreads widen and slippage skyrockets. Trading short-term during these times is just giving away money.

If losses exceed $2, don’t try to turn the tide; stop-loss immediately. The biggest danger in short-term trading is stubbornly holding on, and once you’re deep in a position, it’s over.

Don’t go against the trend. Use the 1-hour EMA to gauge trend direction; trading with the trend is more stable, while trading against it invites trouble.

Finally, avoid overtrading. Limit yourself to a maximum of 5 trades per day. The other 80% of the time should be spent observing and waiting for opportunities. Frequent trading only leads to frequent mistakes.

What are the realistic numbers? The success rate for gold short-term trading is usually around 55%-65%. Don’t expect to make 100%. The key is to maintain a profit-to-loss ratio of above 1.5:1, so that you can accumulate profits over multiple trades.

My advice is to practice first with a demo account, repeatedly test your strategies, and only switch to real money once your win rate stabilizes. Short-term trading is like walking on a knife’s edge; discipline is the only moat.