What news, earnings report, or macroeconomic data is driving the asset?
Here is how the 2021 edition suggests you format your own personal Playbook:
| Feature | 2015 Edition | 2021 Edition | |--------|-------------|--------------| | | Traditional gap plays | COVID vol, meme stocks, zero DTE options | | Journaling | Paper notebook | Digital templates (Notion, Excel, Tradervue) | | Risk rules | Fixed $ stop | Dynamic based on ATR and daily loss limit | | Team trading | Solo focus | Remote chat room dynamics, trade copiers | | Psychology | Basic discipline | Cognitive biases (recency, confirmation, hindsight) | the playbook pdf mike bellafiore 2021
Trading assets with fresh, distinct news catalysts that move independently of the market. Unusually high relative volume.
Take screenshots of the daily chart, the intraday chart (such as 1-minute or 5-minute intervals), and the volume profile. What news, earnings report, or macroeconomic data is
For every successful or highly educational trade, create a dedicated page or digital file. Document the technical charts (5-minute, 15-minute, and Daily charts) and note exactly where the volume spiked. 3. Review the Tape (Order Flow)
Why this book matters
If any of these elements are missing, the trade is not a "Play"—it is a gamble. In The Playbook , Bellafiore emphasizes that if you cannot define the trade before you take it, you are not yet ready to trade live.
Mike Bellafiore's "The Playbook" saw a significant 2021 reissue to meet high trader demand for structured, scalable trading strategies. The book centers on developing a personal "PlayBook" by cataloging high-probability (A+) setups based on five key decision checks: the Big Picture, Intraday Fundamentals, Technicals, Tape Reading, and Intuition. Access the republished version at Amazon . What Is a Trading Playbook? (and Why YOU Need One) Take screenshots of the daily chart, the intraday
Mike Bellafiore's "The PlayBook" (2021) centers on a methodology designed to help traders create a personalized, repeatable catalog of high-probability setups. Key features include five essential trade indicators—such as reading the tape and intraday fundamentals—along with practical, real-world case studies from SMB Capital. For a detailed summary, read the overview on TraderLion .