Revenge trading after a stop-out: the minute that costs the most
Posted: Sat Oct 31, 2026 8:07 pm
A stop is hit, the market reverses straight away, and the urge to jump back in is overwhelming. That minute is often the most expensive of the session.
Revenge trades have recognisable features. They come quickly, they ignore the usual criteria, and they're often larger than normal. They aim at proving something rather than following the plan.
A short cooling-off rule can break the loop. After a loss, no new trade for five minutes, or until the next valid setup appears on a fresh bar. A timer on the desk or a script that disables order buttons after a stop makes it harder to cheat.
Some traders set a rule that two losses in a row mean a break of fifteen minutes. The details matter less than the fact that the rule exists and is followed.
Tracking how often revenge trades appear, and what they cost, gives a stark picture. Labelling them in the journal makes the pattern hard to ignore.
What is your rule for the minutes after a loss?
Revenge trades have recognisable features. They come quickly, they ignore the usual criteria, and they're often larger than normal. They aim at proving something rather than following the plan.
A short cooling-off rule can break the loop. After a loss, no new trade for five minutes, or until the next valid setup appears on a fresh bar. A timer on the desk or a script that disables order buttons after a stop makes it harder to cheat.
Some traders set a rule that two losses in a row mean a break of fifteen minutes. The details matter less than the fact that the rule exists and is followed.
Tracking how often revenge trades appear, and what they cost, gives a stark picture. Labelling them in the journal makes the pattern hard to ignore.
What is your rule for the minutes after a loss?