If you've been through how to read candlestick charts, candlestick chart patterns, and candlestick chart reading, then you are now starting to recognize the patterns and how they relate to the likelihood of a trend reversing or continuing.

However, the question is when exactly to place an order? And for how long can the initial trend-reversal signal be trusted after it has been fired?

Here are the guidelines for the profitable candlestick trading:

• A potent confirmed candlestick pattern will impact the trading price for anywhere between one and ten trading periods.
   
• You have between one and three trading periods after the potent confirmed candlestick pattern to enter a trade. If you procrastinate or find it difficult to make up your mind whether to enter a trade or not, DO NOT TRADE.
   
• Before you start trading, you need to carefully formulate the rules for entering and exiting a trade and the likely scenarios for its execution. Relying on intuition, instinct, or gut feeling usually means parting with your money.