AMD Model: Complete PO3 Execution Guide

AMD (Accumulation – Manipulation – Distribution) is how ICT specifically interprets the PO3 model on the actual chart. While PO3 is more of a general philosophy, AMD offers one technical operating procedures specifically to identify each phase and find the exact entry point.

1. AMD's Three Phases On Actual Chart

📦 Phase 1 — Accumulation

Prices fluctuate within one Consolidation Zone, usually lasting during the Asian trading session (00:00 – 08:00 London).
Low trading volume, small candles, no clear direction.
Smart Money uses this phase to silently accumulate positions without causing price fluctuations.
How to identify: Measure the high and low areas of the Asian session. This will be the reference for the next phase.

⚡ Phase 2 — Manipulation (Manipulation / Trap)

Usually occurs at the beginning of the London Open session (08:00 – 09:30 London) or the beginning of the New York Open.
Price breaks one edge of the Accumulation zone — but this is a break FAKE.
If Bias is Bullish: Price breaks below the bottom of the Asia region to sweep SSL (Sell-Side Liquidity), then immediately reverses strongly upward.
If Bias is Bearish: Price breaks above the top of the Asian region to sweep BSL, then reverses and drops sharply.
This is the optimal entry point — after confirmation of Stop Hunt and MSS.

🚀 Phase 3 — Distribution (Distribution / Actual Trend)

After the Stop Hunt is complete and the MSS has appeared, the price begins to move strongly in the direction of the True Bias.
This is the Smart Money stage distribute accumulated positions into panicked little hands.
Price often moves to large BSL/SSL targets on the H4 or Daily frames.
Trading in this phase has extremely high R:R because the SL point is close (right after the MSS point), TP is far away.

Complete AMD Bearish Pattern: BSL Scan → Collapse

2. AMD Validation Checklist

Determine Bias (trading direction) from the previous H4/Daily frame.
Measure the Accumulation amplitude area of the Asian session (High – Low).
Wait for the price to break in the opposite direction of Bias to activate Stop Hunt (Manipulation).
Look for MSS signal on M15/M5 after Stop Hunt occurs.
Enter orders in the true Bias direction after MSS is confirmed.
Place SL just beyond the Stop Hunt point. TP at BSL/SSL large frame.