CPI Pre-Market Trading Playbook for Futures Traders

Turning Gamma Levels Into a Trade Plan:

CPI Pre-Market Trading Playbook

This session is a textbook example of how to prepare for a high-impact macro day, in this case CPI.  The focus is not prediction. It is preparation.

The speaker walks through a structured process of identifying what matters most before CPI, building anchor points, and translating options positioning into actionable scenarios for futures traders.

This article breaks that process down so you can follow along with the webinar and apply the same workflow yourself.

Step One: Start With Context, Not Charts

(0:12 – 0:34)

The session begins with one key reminder:

This is a pre-CPI environment. That immediately changes everything.

CPI is not just another data point. It is a potential market-moving catalyst that can override positioning, trigger volatility expansion, and break ranges.

Actionable Takeaway

Before doing anything:

• Identify the event (CPI)
• Assume higher volatility
• Expect multiple scenarios, not one bias

This is not a day to “be right.” It is a day to be prepared.

Step Two: Find Your Anchor First

(0:45 – 2:32)

The first real step in the workflow is identifying what stands out.

The speaker asks a simple question:

What is changing, or what demands attention?

The answer:

• Call resistance held yesterday
• The same call resistance is active again today
• This is confirmed across SPY and NQ

This becomes the primary anchor.

Why This Matters

If a level rejected price yesterday and remains unchanged today, it becomes:

• A key resistance zone
• A decision point for both longs and shorts

Actionable Takeaway

Before the open:

Identify 1–2 anchor levels where:

• Price failed previously
• Positioning is still concentrated

These are your decision zones.

Step Three: Define Directional Conditions

(2:32 – 3:10)

Once the anchor is identified, the next step is not trading. It is defining conditions.

The speaker breaks it down clearly:

If you want to be bearish, you must stay below call resistance.

If price breaks above, the short idea is invalid.

Actionable Takeaway

Turn every idea into a condition:

• Short bias: only valid below resistance
• Long bias: only valid above resistance
• No confirmation: no trade

This removes guesswork.

Step Four: Build the Trade Structurally (Stops & Risk)

(3:10 – 5:03)

Now the workflow becomes practical. The speaker shows how to build a trade using cross-asset levels:

• Shorting NQ at call resistance
• Using NDX call resistance as a stop reference

This creates a structured setup:

• Entry: NQ call resistance
• Stop: NDX call resistance
• Range: ~130 points

Why This Matters

This is not random risk placement. It is using options positioning across instruments to define:

• Where the idea breaks
• How much room the trade needs

Actionable Takeaway

When building a trade:

• Use related instruments (SPX, NDX) for confirmation
• Place stops beyond structural levels, not arbitrary points
• Accept that wider structure = wider stop

Think about Risk Management first.

Step Five: Identify Conflicting Signals (Critical Step)

(5:03 – 6:25)

This is where most traders fail.

The speaker identifies a gamma cluster on QQQ that acts as a strong support zone.

This creates a conflict:

• Bearish idea from call resistance
• Bullish support from gamma cluster

Why This Matters

Not all setups align. When signals conflict, you must:

• Reduce conviction
• Wait for confirmation
• Avoid forcing trades

Actionable Takeaway

Before the open, always ask:

Is there anything that invalidates my idea?

If yes:

• Trade smaller
• Wait for confirmation
• Or stay out

Step Six: Define Upside Targets Using Structure

(6:25 – 8:10)

If price breaks above resistance, the focus shifts to upside targets.

The speaker identifies:

• One-day max
• Call resistance above
• A visible gap in price structure

This creates a clean long scenario:

Break → move into gap → potential gap fill

Actionable Takeaway

For long setups:

• Identify breakout level
• Map next liquidity zone (gap, resistance)
• Define target before entry

Step Seven: Define Downside Targets Clearly

(10:40 – 11:33)

The downside is just as structured.

If price fails:

• Target put support
• Potentially retrace the news-driven move

The key insight:

Markets often revisit areas where large candles originated.

Actionable Takeaway

For short setups:

• Map downside targets before entry
• Look for previous impulsive zones
• Expect price to revisit those areas

Step Eight: Add Macro Catalyst Layer

(8:10 – 10:13)

This is where the session becomes more advanced.

The speaker connects:

• CPI
• Geopolitical headlines (peace talks)
• Friday positioning risk

These are all potential impulses.

Why This Matters

Options positioning defines structure. Macro events provide the energy to break that structure.

Actionable Takeaway

Before the open:

List all possible catalysts.

Then ask:

• What could push price higher?
• What could push price lower?

This helps you understand why a level might break.

Step Nine: Use VIX as Confirmation

(11:56 – 14:25)

VIX provides a critical signal.

Key observation:

• VIX below 20 for the first time since February
• Sitting at put support and zero-DTE support

This creates an A+ setup.

Interpretation

Two possibilities:

• VIX is cheap → volatility expands → equities fall
• VIX continues lower → equities rally

Actionable Takeaway

Before the open:

Mark VIX levels.

Then define:

• If VIX rises: bearish confirmation
• If VIX falls: bullish confirmation

Never ignore volatility.

Step Ten: Define ES Range Conditions

(15:45 – 16:37)

On ES, the structure is clear:

• One-day max + call resistance above
• High wall + put support below

This creates a range environment.

Actionable Takeaway

If price stays inside:

• Expect rotation
• Trade range extremes
• Avoid middle

If price breaks:

• Switch to breakout strategy

Step Eleven: Read Structural Shifts (Advanced Insight)

(16:50 – 19:24)

The speaker highlights two advanced signals:

• Risk trigger rising
• Shift from upper band to lower band

These are not basic indicators. They reflect:

• Structural changes in positioning
• Potential regime shifts

Actionable Takeaway

When you see:

• Rising risk trigger
• Band shifts

Ask:

Is the market transitioning into a new structure? If unsure use QUIN to validate.

Full Pre-Market Playbook

Scenario 1: Rejection at Call Resistance

• Price stays below resistance
• VIX stabilizes or rises

Execution

• Short near resistance
• Target lower support

Invalidation

• Break and hold above resistance

Scenario 2: Breakout Above Resistance

• Price breaks one-day max
• Momentum builds

Execution

• Long breakout
• Target gap fill

Invalidation

• Failed breakout

Scenario 3: Range Day

• Price stays between key levels
• No catalyst follow-through

Execution

• Sell top
• Buy bottom

Invalidation

• Breakout with volume

Conclusion

This webinar is not about finding “the trade.” It is about building a framework.

The key lessons are simple:

• Start with context
• Find your anchor
• Define conditions
• Map both sides
• Let the market confirm

Most traders look for answers. Professional traders build scenarios.

By the time the market opens, they already know:

• Where they will act
• Where they will exit
• When they will do nothing

That is the real edge. Use QUIN to help your Preps.