Everyone wants the “one true way” to win at trading. But the market doesn’t care what theory you subscribe to, only that you understand it better than the crowd. You’ll hear endless takes about how everything is liquidity, about “hidden levels,” or that only price action matters and indicators are for suckers. But here’s what rarely gets discussed: Every technique, no matter how powerful, comes with its own set of traps. The truth? Price action and so-called “smart money” approaches can be just as dangerous as chasing indicators, especially if you treat them as the only answer before you’ve truly mastered your process. Relying on any method you haven’t fully internalized is a recipe for confusion and frustration. To be clear: Those who have truly mastered price action or SMC, and there are many, surely crush the market. Their results speak for themselves. But the majority aren’t there yet. Most are talking before they’ve put in the real work. Too many traders spend their time preaching their own camp, tearing down other strategies, without ever achieving true mastery themselves. That’s the real trap: Mistaking knowledge for mastery, and ego for results. You see it everywhere, people arguing indicators vs. price action, SMC vs. trend following, as if winning debates is the goal. Meanwhile, there are traders quietly dominating the market using methods that suit them, regardless of the style or the prevailing opinion about that style. Here’s what most won’t tell you: Subjectivity is everywhere. There’s no universal definition for “the right level,” “the real swing point,” or “where the liquidity sits.” Ask ten price action traders to draw their key zones, and you’ll get ten different maps. Hindsight bias is rampant. Every failed breakout or false move gets explained away as “liquidity hunting,” even if the move was just random noise. Analysis paralysis: Overcomplicated PA/SMC strategies often trap traders in a cycle of redrawing levels, adjusting narratives, and second-guessing—while real trends move without them. Constant screen time: Many pure price action approaches require hours at the screen. This leads to reacting to every wiggle and whipsaw, while big moves get missed or overtraded. False sense of control: Believing you’ve found the “hidden hand” in every move leads to overconfidence and losses. No edge without a clear plan: Many who rely solely on price action or “liquidity” start overtrading, jumping at every shadow, without clear rules or confirmation. What happens? Many trade themselves into exhaustion, bleed their accounts in chop, and blame “manipulation” when they were simply on the wrong side of the move. Here’s the real edge: Mastery isn’t about picking one technique and refusing to budge. It’s about knowing your method so well that you can spot its flaws, avoid its traps, and know precisely when NOT to use it. If you’re arguing about the “best” strategy, you’re already off track. The market doesn’t reward purists. It rewards those who adapt, test, and refine their approach until it fits them and the current environment. The greatest “alpha” comes from mastering market structure first—becoming fluent in the language of price—then adding only what helps you consistently get the directional bias right. A simple, robust trend-following system that keeps you on the right side of the trend will outperform overcomplicated discretionary setups, period. Because getting direction right is half the battle, and avoiding (or recognizing) the chop is the other half. In the end: Every method has weaknesses. Every system has blind spots. But the real pros know their approach inside and out, spot when it’s failing, and use whatever tool gives them a reliable edge in finding the right side of the market. Respect the few who have truly mastered their craft, whatever it is. Ignore the noise from those who haven’t. Stop arguing about maps. Start mastering your compass. Markets reward traders who get direction right, not those who win debates about which theory is best.