Challenge Strategy

    How to Pass Prop Firm Challenges with ICT Silver Bullet: A Complete Guide

    Kevin Nerway
    11 min read
    2,124 words
    Updated Aug 8, 2026

    The ICT Silver Bullet strategy leverages specific 60-minute windows to capture high-probability liquidity expansions. By mastering these sessions, traders can meet prop firm profit targets while maintaining strict drawdown control.

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    Written and reviewed by Kevin Nerway · Last verified 30 July 2026

    Key Topics

    • Ict silver bullet time windows
    • Passing funding pips with silver bullet
    • Ict silver bullet fvg entries
    • Silver bullet risk management for funded accounts

    How to Pass Prop Firm Challenges with ICT Silver Bullet: A Complete Guide

    The ICT Silver Bullet is a time-based trading model developed by Michael J. Huddleston, designed to capture specific liquidity expansions within high-probability market windows. For traders attempting to secure a funded account, this strategy provides the mechanical structure necessary to navigate the strict trading rules of modern firms. By focusing on a single hour of price action, traders can satisfy profit targets while minimizing the time exposure that often leads to overtrading and max daily drawdown breaches.

    Key Takeaways

    • Strict Time Windows: The Silver Bullet operates exclusively within three 60-minute windows (London, NY AM, and NY PM), providing structural discipline.
    • Fixed Risk-to-Reward: Successful execution typically targets a 1:2 RR ratio, which aligns with the mathematical requirements of 2-phase evaluations.
    • Asset Specificity: While applicable to Forex, the ICT Silver Bullet is highly effective on indices like NAS100 (Nasdaq) and US30 (Dow Jones).
    • Drawdown Protection: By limiting trades to specific "Killzones," traders reduce the risk of hitting max total drawdown during low-volume periods.
    • Platform Compatibility: The strategy is executed manually on platforms like MT5, Match-Trader, and DXTrade, which are supported by major firms like FTMO and Funding Pips.

    Quick Reference: Silver Bullet Performance Metrics by Firm

    Prop FirmDaily DrawdownMax DrawdownExecution PlatformBest Silver Bullet Session
    FTMO5%10%MT5, cTraderNY AM (10:00 - 11:00 AM EST)
    Funding Pips5%10%Match-TraderLondon (3:00 - 4:00 AM EST)
    Blue Guardian4%8%MT5NY AM (10:00 - 11:00 AM EST)
    The5ers5%10%cTraderNY PM (2:00 - 3:00 PM EST)
    Maven Trading4%8%MT5London (3:00 - 4:00 AM EST)
    FXIFY4%10%DXTradeNY AM (10:00 - 11:00 AM EST)

    Defining the ICT Silver Bullet Time Windows for Prop Servers

    The ICT Silver Bullet is predicated on the "Killzone" concept, where institutional algorithms are hypothesized to seek liquidity. For a prop firm trader, understanding these windows in relation to server time is the difference between a valid setup and a "hard breach" for trading outside of permitted hours (if applicable).

    The three primary windows are:

    1
    London Session: 3:00 AM – 4:00 AM EST.
    2
    New York AM Session: 10:00 AM – 11:00 AM EST.
    3
    New York PM Session: 2:00 PM – 3:00 PM EST.

    Most firms, such as Alpha Capital Group, use GMT+2 or GMT+3 server times. Traders must use a time zone converter to ensure their 1-minute and 5-minute charts align exactly with the New York Eastern Standard Time (EST) equivalent. The logic remains the same: within this 60-minute window, the market must create a Fair Value Gap (FVG) after reaching for a liquidity pool (Old High or Old Low).

    Identifying Fair Value Gaps (FVG) within the Killzone

    The core entry trigger for the ict silver bullet fvg entries is the displacement that leaves behind an imbalance. In a day trading context, this displacement signals that the "Smart Money" has entered the market, and price is likely to revisit the gap before continuing toward the target.

    Step 1: Identify the Draw on Liquidity

    Before the window opens, identify a clear target. This is usually a previous session high/low, a daily high/low, or a "clean" set of equal highs or lows. For example, if you are trading the NY AM session on NAS100, look for the London session high or low as a potential target.

    Step 2: Wait for the Silver Bullet Window

    The trade must be initiated between the start and end of the specified hour. If a setup occurs at 9:55 AM EST, it is not a Silver Bullet. Discipline here is vital for risk management.

    Step 3: Locate the Displacement and FVG

    Wait for price to move aggressively toward your liquidity target. This move should create a three-candle sequence where there is a gap between the wick of the first candle and the wick of the third candle. This is your Fair Value Gap.

    Step 4: Execute the Order

    Place a limit order at the edge of the FVG. Your stop loss should be placed above the high (for shorts) or below the low (for longs) of the candle that created the displacement.

    The Math of the Silver Bullet: Why 1:2 RR Fits Prop Rules

    Proprial trading challenges, such as those offered by Seacrest Markets, typically require a 10% profit target in Phase 1 and a 5% target in Phase 2. The Silver Bullet model naturally gravitates toward a 10-15 tick/pip target on indices, often resulting in a 1:2 risk-to-reward ratio.

    Using a profit calculator, we can see that with a 1:2 RR:

    • A trader with a 50% win rate will pass a 10% challenge in 10-15 trades, assuming a 1% risk per trade.
    • However, given the max daily drawdown limits (e.g., 5% at FTMO), a more conservative 0.5% risk per trade is recommended.

    Comparison of Risk Allocation Models

    Risk Per TradeWin RateTrades to Pass Phase 1 (10%)Max Consecutive Losses Before Daily Breach (5%)
    0.25%60%67 trades20
    0.50%60%34 trades10
    1.00%60%17 trades5

    For traders using Funding Pips, which allows for weekly payouts, maintaining a consistent 0.5% risk ensures that even a "losing streak" within the Silver Bullet window does not result in an account termination.

    NAS100 vs Forex: Best Assets for Silver Bullet Challenges

    The ict silver bullet nas100 strategy is often cited as the most consistent due to the high volatility of the Nasdaq during the New York open. However, different firms offer better conditions for specific assets.

    1
    NAS100 / US30: Best for the NY AM window. Firms like Blue Guardian offer tight spreads on indices, which is crucial for the 1-minute execution required by the Silver Bullet.
    2
    EURUSD / GBPUSD: Ideal for the London session silver bullet guide. These pairs often find their daily high or low during the 3:00 AM - 4:00 AM EST window.
    3
    Gold (XAUUSD): Provides massive displacement but requires wider stop losses, which may conflict with the tight static drawdown rules of some firms.

    Traders should use a position size calculator to adjust for the higher tick value of indices compared to Forex pairs to avoid accidental risk management violations.

    Risk Staging: How to Allocate 0.5% Per Silver Bullet Setup

    Managing a live account or a challenge requires "Risk Staging." This involves reducing risk as you approach the drawdown limit and increasing it slightly when in profit (the "buffer" method).

    • The Buffer Zone: If you are up 3% on a FundedNext account, you are trading with "house money." You might maintain 0.5% risk.
    • The Danger Zone: If you are down 3% (nearing the 5% daily limit), you must drop your risk to 0.25% per Silver Bullet setup.

    Maven Trading has a daily drawdown of 4%. On a $100,000 account, this is a $4,000 limit. If you risk 1% ($1,000) per Silver Bullet trade and lose four times in one morning, the account is gone. By position sizing at 0.5% ($500), you give yourself 8 opportunities to find a winning displacement.

    Confluence with Daily Bias: Avoiding Phase 1 Drawdown Traps

    A common mistake in the ict silver bullet model for prop firms is taking every FVG that appears in the window without regard for the higher time frame daily bias. To pass a challenge at Audacity Capital or FXIFY, you must filter setups.

    • Bullish Bias: Only look for Silver Bullet longs. The market should be trading away from a Daily or H4 Discount PD Array.
    • Bearish Bias: Only look for Silver Bullet shorts. The market should be trading away from a Daily or H4 Premium PD Array.

    Without daily bias, the Silver Bullet becomes a coin flip. Prop firm pass rate analysis suggests that "strategy hopping" and ignoring bias are the leading causes of Phase 1 failure.

    Execution Walkthrough on MT5 and Match-Trader Platforms

    Most modern firms have moved away from MT4 due to licensing shifts. Funding Pips and FundedNext now utilize Match-Trader and MT5.

    Step 1: Set Your Charts

    Open the 1-minute and 5-minute charts. The 5-minute chart is for identifying the FVG, while the 1-minute chart is for refining the entry to get a better RR.

    Step 2: Mark the "Midnight Open"

    ICT principles suggest that for a bullish day, we want to buy below the New York Midnight Open price. Mark this on your MT5 terminal.

    Step 3: Automated Tools

    While the Silver Bullet is a manual strategy, using an Expert Advisor (EA) for risk calculation is permitted by most firms, including FTMO, provided it does not involve copy trading or martingale strategy logic.

    Step 4: Execution

    When price enters the FVG during the 10:00 AM - 11:00 AM window, execute your trade. Set your Take Profit at the liquidity target and your Stop Loss at the displacement candle’s anchor.

    Managing the London vs New York Silver Bullet Sessions

    The London session silver bullet guide focuses on the 3:00 AM - 4:00 AM EST window. This is often the "Judas Swing" or the formation of the low/high of the day.

    SessionTime (EST)CharacteristicBest Firm Infrastructure
    London3 AM - 4 AMTrend InitiationAlpha Capital Group
    NY AM10 AM - 11 AMHigh Volatility ReversalsFunding Pips
    NY PM2 PM - 3 PMLondon Close ReversalsThe5ers

    The new york pm silver bullet setup (2:00 PM - 3:00 PM EST) is often the quietest but can offer highly mechanical retracements as London traders close their positions. This is an excellent time for traders who failed to find a setup in the morning to reach their profit split goals without the chaos of the 9:30 AM market open.

    Common Silver Bullet Mistakes That Trigger Hard Breaches

    Even a "perfect" strategy can fail if the trader violates prohibited strategies or drawdown rules.

    1
    Trading News: FTMO restricts trading 2 minutes before and after high-impact news on certain account types. If a Silver Bullet FVG forms during a CPI release, taking it could lead to an account breach.
    2
    Ignoring the Clock: Entering a trade at 11:01 AM EST means it is no longer a Silver Bullet. If you are using a scaling plan, consistency in your execution times is often monitored by firm algorithms.
    3
    Over-Leveraging: Trying to pass a Phase 1 in a single Silver Bullet trade by risking 5% is a violation of basic risk management and will likely hit the max daily drawdown before the profit target is reached.

    Frequently Asked Questions

    Can I use the Silver Bullet strategy on a FundedNext account?

    Yes, FundedNext allows the Silver Bullet strategy as it is a manual, price-action-based model. It does not violate their rules against high-frequency trading or latency arbitrage. Traders should ensure they are aware of the 5% daily drawdown limit when setting their stop losses during the volatile NY AM window.

    What is the best time for the Silver Bullet on NAS100?

    The most effective time for the ict silver bullet nas100 strategy is the 10:00 AM to 11:00 AM EST window. This follows the initial volatility of the 9:30 AM New York open, allowing the market to establish a direction and leave behind a clear Fair Value Gap for entry.

    Does FTMO allow ICT strategies like the Silver Bullet?

    FTMO fully permits ICT strategies, including the Silver Bullet. According to FTMO's trading objectives, there are no restrictions on specific styles like FVG entries or liquidity sweeps, provided the trader adheres to the 5% daily and 10% total drawdown limits.

    How do I calculate my position size for a Silver Bullet trade?

    Traders should use a position size calculator by inputting their current account balance, the percentage of risk (recommended 0.5%), and the distance in pips/ticks from their entry to their stop loss. This ensures that a single losing trade does not trigger a max daily drawdown breach.

    Is the Silver Bullet effective for Phase 2 evaluations?

    The Silver Bullet is often more effective in Phase 2 because the profit target is usually lower (5% instead of 10%). This allows a trader to reach their goal with fewer high-probability setups, reducing the total time spent in the paper trading environment before receiving a funded account.

    Can I trade the Silver Bullet during high-impact news?

    While the setup may form, many firms like Maven Trading and FXIFY have specific rules regarding news trading. Always check the firm's trading rules to see if you are required to be out of positions during major releases like NFP or FOMC, even if a Silver Bullet FVG is present.

    About Kevin Nerway

    Contributor at PropFirmScan, helping traders succeed in prop trading.

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