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# Initial balance break
- URL: https://www.propfirmduel.com/strategies/initial-balance-break/
- Published: 2026-10-07T22:45:00.000Z
- Updated: 2026-10-08T02:59:49.000Z
- Description: The initial balance is the first hour's range. A close beyond it signals the market has decided where to go and often extends by a fraction of the range.
- Author: Prop Firm Duel
- Tags: Futures sessions strategies, #strategy, #school-sessions, #level-advanced, #Import 2026-10-07 22:49

TargetStopThe range sets the battle linesClose outside the range

Example drawing, not live market data.

1Where's the level?

The high and low of 9:30–10:30 ET.

2What's the trigger?

Between 10:30 ET and noon, a candle closes beyond the initial balance. Once a day.

3Where is it wrong?

The other side of the range, or its middle if the range is wide.

4Where does it end?

A 100% extension: the range's height projected from the break.

Markets

Index futures

Timeframes

5m to 30m

Sessions

First hour of New York

Also called

IB break, IB extension

## What it means

The initial balance is the first hour's range. A close beyond it signals the market has decided where to go and often extends by a fraction of the range.

## How it is confirmed without repainting

The range is final at 10:30 ET.

## When it fails

Price closes back inside and travels to the other side.