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One of the strongest reversal signals in candlestick analysis. A gap down that opens at or below the prior bullish candle's open shows complete sentiment reversal overnight.
The Bearish Kicker is one of the most powerful reversal patterns in candlestick analysis. It's a two-candle pattern that signals a dramatic shift in sentiment - from bullish to bearish - often overnight.
The pattern occurs when a strong bullish candle is followed by a bearish candle that *gaps down and opens at or below the prior candle's open*. This gap is critical - it shows that overnight, something fundamental changed. There is no overlap between the bodies of the two candles.
The Bearish Kicker tells a story of complete sentiment reversal. Day one shows bullish confidence - buyers are in control, pushing price higher and closing strong. Everything looks positive.
Then something changes overnight. News breaks, sentiment shifts, or large institutional players reposition. Day two opens with a gap down - not just below Day 1's close, but at or below where the bulls started. The gap communicates one thing: *the game has changed completely*.
Every buyer from Day 1 is now underwater from the first tick of Day 2. There is no chance to exit at breakeven. The bearish candle that follows confirms the new regime - sellers are now in full control. This is why the Kicker is one of the highest-probability reversal signals in candlestick analysis.
Conservative: Enter short on a break below Day 2's low, confirmed by continued selling.
Aggressive: Enter short at the close of Day 2 - the pattern is reliable enough.
Place stop above Day 1's high. The gap should not be filled - if it is, the "kicker" has been invalidated. Keep stop tight above the gap.
T1: Previous swing low or nearest support level. T2: Measured move equal to the combined range of both candles projected downward. T3: Trail stop on partial position for extended moves.
Minimum 1:2 R:R required. The tight stop above the gap often provides excellent R:R on kicker patterns.
The Bearish Kicker is powerful on its own, but context amplifies or diminishes its effectiveness. The best kickers appear at logical reversal points after extended moves.
The gap down from the previous bullish open is what makes this pattern so powerful. No gap = no kicker, just a regular reversal.
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