Table of Contents
This interview features Raj Turner on the Desire To Trade podcast—an FX swing trader who climbed prop-style leaderboards to secure repeated funding allocations while juggling a 9–5 and family life in Jamaica. Raj trades major FX pairs and gold, favors multi-day swings over scalps, and stands out for his discipline around risk, process, and patience—exactly the stuff newer traders tend to skip.
In this piece, you’ll learn Raj Turner’s practical playbook: how he builds a one-page plan, risks ~1–2% per trade, locks in break-even at sensible levels, and avoids the emotional traps that blow accounts. We’ll unpack his day-to-day workflow, the metrics that won him allocations, and the exact habits—journaling, confluence, and strict reward-to-risk—that help a trader compound steadily instead of chasing lottery wins.
Raj Turner Playbook & Strategy: How He Actually Trades
Market Focus & Core Edge
Raj Turner keeps his universe tight so decisions stay clear and repeatable. He focuses on liquid majors, gold, and clean trending names where daily and 4H structure do most of the heavy lifting. The goal is to avoid noise, find asymmetric spots, and press only when the odds are stacked.
- Trade instruments: EURUSD, GBPUSD, USDJPY, XAUUSD, plus 1–2 “bench” pairs you know well
- Primary timeframes: daily bias, 4H execution, 1H refinement—never mix signals across unrelated timeframes
- Only trade a market with a visible trend or a fresh range break; skip chop by rule.
- Keep a watchlist of 6–8 symbols; anything outside that list needs a written reason to trade.e
Setup Qualification (Structure + Confluence)
He defines a setup before he opens the platform, then waits for the price to meet it. Structure and confluence do the filtering: trend, key level, and a trigger that shows participation is actually there.
- Bullish: higher-high/higher-low sequence + retest of prior high/4H demand + momentum candle close above level
- Bearish: lower-high/lower-low sequence + retest of prior low/4H supply + momentum candle close below level
- Must have at least two of three confluences: structure, level (HTF S/R, FVG, or swing zone), momentum trigger
- If news risk > average (e.g., CPI/NFP/FOMC within next session), trade half-size or stand aside
- No level = no trade; if you can’t draw the level on the daily, the “edge” isn’t there
Entry Triggers & Timing
Raj enters when the market proves it, not when he hopes it will. He prefers clear breaks and retests or pullbacks into defined zones, using the 4H bar to keep noise low but timing off the 1H when precision helps.
- Break–retest–continue: enter on close back through the level and first pullback that holds
- Pullback entry: limit at zone midpoint only if the trend is intact and the last swing low/high remains unviolated
- Confirmation rule: if the trigger candle closes weak (long wick against you), wait one more bar
- Missed entry? No chase—either the market pulls back to your price or you let it go
- Maximum slippage: 0.15R; if exceeded, cancel and wait for the next valid trigger
Risk Sizing & Portfolio Heat
He keeps sizing boring and predictable so the P/L curve stays smooth. The number of open trades and correlation matter just as much as the per-trade risk.
- Risk per trade: 0.75% standard, 0.5% in high-vol weeks, 1.0% only with A+ setups
- Total portfolio heat cap: 2% across all open positions
- Correlation rule: pairs sharing USD count as correlated; max 1 long USD and 1 short USD at the same time
- Position size = (Account × Risk%) ÷ (Stop distance in pips) × pip value; round down, never up
- If spread/volatility expands and stop would be < 1.2× recent ATR, reduce size or skip
Stop Placement & Adjustments
Stops sit where the trade idea is proved wrong, not just “a safe distance.” Raj adjusts only when the market gives a legitimate reason—never to soothe nerves.
- Initial stop: beyond the invalidation swing + buffer of 0.2× ATR(14) of the entry timeframe
- Hard rule: no moving stops farther once in the trade
- Move to break-even only after price advances +1.0R and prints a new market structure point (MSP) in your favor
- Trail on swing structure: each new higher low (for longs) or lower high (for shorts) that forms after +1.5R
- If an opposite signal prints on the execution timeframe while sub-1R, flatten without debate
Take-Profit Logic & Scaling
Raj scales out to pay himself while leaving room for trend continuation. Targets are planned before the trade and tied to a logical market structure.
- First scale at +1.5R (25–33% of position) to bank risk and reduce stress
- Main target at next HTF level (daily S/R or measured move from the last leg)
- Leave a runner for trend days; exit the runner only if the HTF level collapses or an opposite signal prints
- If ADR (average daily range) is fully consumed by mid-session against your target distance, consider banking partials sooner
- Never move targets closer unless structure changes; moving them farther requires a fresh, higher-timeframe close beyond the level
Playbook Setups (A, B, C)
He grades setups so he knows when to press and when to tap the brakes. A setup is rare and worth waiting for; Cs keep you engaged but at a smaller size.
- A-setup: HTF trend + clean retest of key level + strong trigger close + supportive macro calendar → full size
- B-setup: two out of three confluences or messy level → 0.5–0.75× normal risk
- C-setup: range edges without break or late trend entries → 0.25–0.5× risk or skip
- If you log two C-setups in a row, mandate a one-session reset before the next trade.e
- Upgrade only with evidence (e.g., fresh daily close through level); never on feel.
News & Session Planning
He doesn’t predict news; he prepares for it. Sessions are mapped the night before to eliminate impulse decisions during live price action.
- Pre-session checklist: mark levels, note red-flag events, set alerts 10–20 pips before zones
- Two hours pre-high-impact event: no new positions unless already planned with half-risk and wider stop logic
- Hold through news only if trade is +1R banked or stop is at break-eve, and structure supports continuation. on
- Ithe f spread widens beyond your broker’s typical average by 50%+, pause entries untiit l normalizes
- End-of-week rule: no fresh trades last 2 hours of Friday unless it’s an A-setup with h clean weekly structure
Trade Management in Practice
Raj treats management as a script, not a vibe. Once in, the job is to execute the plan you wrote when you were calm.
- After entry, set two alerts: one at +0.8R (prep for BE) and one at +1.5R (first scale)
- If price stalls for 8–12 hours below +0.5R and prints equal highs/lows against you, consider scratch exit.t
- Add-on trades only at fresh break-retests with risk paid (i.e., first position already partialled)
- Never hedge losers; flatten, reassess, and if conditions are still valid, re-enter.
- If you violate any rule, halt trading for 24 hours and document the lapse
Journal, Metrics & Review
Consistency comes from measurement. He journals to catch drift early and turn lessons into rules you can actually follow.
- Log every trade: screenshot entry, reasoning, confluences, and management note.s
- Weekly metrics: win rate, average R, expectancy, time-in-trade, and rule-adherence score (0–100)
- Flag “would-have” setups you skipped; if three or more repeat, add them to the playbook with rules
- If expectancy < 0.3R over 20 trades, reduce risk by half and run a 10-trade “repair cycle”
- Conduct a monthly “A/B/C setup audit” and drop the bottom performer until revised.d
Mindset & Routine
Raj builds calm into the process so decisions stay sharp. The routine protects the edge: plan, execute, review, then walk away.
- Morning: 10-minute market scan, update levels, set alerts, and write today’s single objective (e.g., “Trade only A/B setups”)
- During trades: no social feeds; platform alarm-only environment
- Post-trade: 3-minute debrief—what rule triggered, what went well, what to improve
- Fitness/sleep rule: no trading after <6 hours sleep or on days with elevated stress markers you track
- If three losing trades occur in one day or two sessions back-to-back, an enforced day off and playbook reread
Size Risk First: Fixed Percent, Portfolio Heat, No Hero Trades
Raj Turner treats risk like the steering wheel—he handles it at all times. He starts with a fixed percent per tr, so every decision fits the same frame, whether the setup looks pretty or not. Most days that means keeping risk small enough that a losing streak barely dents the equity curve. He also caps the total portfolio he has, so multiple positions never snowball into one oversized bet. If two trades are correlated, he cuts size rather than pretending they’re independent.
Raj is ruthless about avoiding “hero” moves because heroes blow up more than they win. He plans entries and stops around idea invalidation, then sizes the position to that distance, not the other way around. If volatility spikes, he shrinks in size; if spreads widen, he waits. When he’s off rhythm or tired, he reduces risk further instead of forcing a comeback. That discipline makes the winners matter and the losers forgettable.
Let Volatility Lead: ATR Stops, Dynamic Sizing, Wider In Turbulence
Raj Turner builds every trade around current volatility instead of wishful thinking. He measures range with ATR and parks stops beyond true invalidation plus a fraction of that ATR, so random noise can’t shake him out. When ATR expands, his position size contracts automatically; when ATR contracts, size can step back up. Static 20–30 pip stops are banned because markets don’t care about round numbers. He also checks spread and slippage against recent norms and won’t enter if they’re blown out.
Raj adapts further during event risk, widening stops only if the idea still makes sense and cutting size to keep risk constant. He recalibrates ATR windows when regime shifts are obvious, preferring responsiveness over lag. If the market digests a shock and ranges normalize, he tightens back to standard parameters instead of chasing yesterday’s drama. By letting volatility lead, Raj Turner keeps losses controlled, entries cleaner, and his equity curve smoother.
Diversify Smart: Underlying, Strategy, and Trade Duration Work Together
Raj Turner spreads risk across a few liquid markets so one theme can’t wreck the week. He mixes FX majors with gold, then varies approach—trend continuation, break–retest, and occasional range edge—so the same condition isn’t being bet three times. He staggers trade duration too: a core swing aligned to the daily, plus a smaller add-on keyed to the 4H, avoids all-in timing. If two positions ride the same driver (la ike a strong USD), Raj counts them as one risk and trims size accordingly. Correlated exposure is managed, not ignored.
Raj also avoids overlapping triggers by time-boxing entries—if the first setup fires, the second needs ds distinct structure or it’s a pass. He rotates out of underperforming pairs that drift into chop, replacing them with cleaner trends rather than forcing diversification for its own sake. When volatility clusters, he narrows the roster and reduces position count to keep portfolio heat stable. By coordinating underlying, strategy style, and holding period, Raj Turner keeps the P-S edge consistent while smoothing the equity curve.
Trade Mechanics Over Predictions: Levels, Confluence, Triggers, Then Execute
Raj Turner doesn’t predict; he prepares a checklist and lets price do the talking. He marks daily levels first, then waits on the 4H for structure to confirm direction. Confluence means at least two signals agree—trend, level, and momentum—before a finger touches the button. If the trigger candle closes weak or into resistance, he skips and keeps powder dry.
Once the trigger is valid, Raj Turner sets the order, stop, and target immediately to remove wiggle room. He executes at his planned price or not at all; chasing is banned. If the setup breaks rules mid-formation, it’s canceled and re-evaluated later, not “massaged.” The outcome belongs to the market, but the mechanics—levels, confluence, trigger, execute—belong to him.
Define Your Risk: Clear Invalidation, Preplanned Exits, Ruthless Process Discipline
Raj Turner starts every trade by writing the invalidation level before thinking about profits. If price tags are that level, he’s out—no averaging, no “giving it room,” no negotiation. Exits are preplanned: first scale when risk is paid, main target at structure, and a runner only if the trend remains intact. He measures whether the plan was followed, not whether the trade won.
When conditions change, Raj Turner updates the plan—not his discipline. If momentum flips against the idea before +1R, he cuts early rather than hoping for a bounce. He moves to break-even only after fresh structure forms in his favor, never just because he feels “up.” By defining risk in advance and executing it without hesitation, he protects capital and keeps mental bandwidth for the next clean setup.
In the end, Raj Turner’s edge isn’t a magic indicator—it’s the way he structures every decision. He keeps a tight market roster, builds the bias on the daily, executes on the 4H, and only pulls the trigger when structure, level, and momentum line up. Risk is pre-sized and boring by design: fixed percent per trade, strict portfolio heat, and stops parked at true invalidation plus a volatility buffer. When volatility expands, he shrinks in size; when spreads blow out or news looms, he waits. That simple discipline—plan first, prove it with price, then execute—turns randomness into a repeatable workflow.
For traders who want consistency, Raj Turner’s playbook is a blueprint: let volatility guide your stop and size, diversify by underlying/approach/duration without doubling the same theme, and trade mechanics over predictions. Define the exit before the entry, scale when risk is paid, and trail only when structure confirms continuation. Journal every decision, audit the setups, and reduce risk when your metrics slip. Follow that process, and you’ll spend less time fighting the market and more time compounding clean R multiples.
