Weekend gaps in a market that is supposedly always open

[Amanhasnoname]

Forex trades twenty four hours, five days a week, which leads to the assumption that gaps do not exist. They do. They just happen over the weekend.

A major announcement on Saturday or a shift in political news can leave Sunday's opening price well away from Friday's close. Gaps of 20 to 100 pips on majors occur occasionally, and much larger on exotics.

Anything open through Friday close risks that gap, and a stop loss does not help. Stops fill at the first available price, which can be well beyond the level.

Scalpers usually avoid this by closing everything before the weekend, but it is easy to forget a small hedge or a leftover position. A forgotten 0.1 lot trade on a volatile pair can turn into a surprise in the Monday morning statement.

A routine fixes it: a Friday checklist, a calendar alert, or a script that closes everything an hour before the close.

Is Friday afternoon flat a strict rule in your trading, or is there still room for exceptions?