An entry cut-off sets the last time you can open a new intraday position. It can stop a late trade taken only to recover a loss or change the day's result. Closing an existing position must remain available.
Three times that traders can confuse
Keep these cut-offs separate:
- Exchange market hours: when the market session opens and closes.
- Broker square-off time: when a broker may close eligible intraday positions under its policy.
- Personal entry cut-off: the time you choose to stop taking new risk.
Broker timings can vary by broker, segment and day. Check the current broker policy. Your personal cut-off should usually be earlier than any operational deadline that affects your positions.
Choose the time from your own strategy
There is no universal best cut-off. A strategy built for the opening session has a different trading window from one designed for a later move.
Review your recent trades by entry time. For each time block, check:
- how many trades matched the setup;
- how often spreads or slippage increased;
- how much time remained for the trade plan;
- whether late entries followed an earlier win or loss;
- whether the position was closed as planned.
Use several weeks of data where possible. A single profitable late trade should not decide the rule.
Write a rule with a clear scope
A useful rule states the time, time zone and action.
For example:
No new entries at or after 2:45 PM IST. Existing positions can still be reduced or closed.
Also decide how the rule treats:
- adding quantity to an open position;
- a pending entry order placed before the cut-off;
- a fresh entry after a stop-loss;
- an order placed directly in the broker app.
Write these details before the session. Vague wording makes the rule easy to change later.
Pair the cut-off with a trade limit
A time rule controls the final entry window. A daily trade limit controls the number of entries. Together, they cover two common paths to overtrading.
For example, a trader may allow three entries before 2:45 PM IST. The day stops accepting new entries when either condition is reached. Exits stay available in both cases.
How Zensibly applies an entry cut-off
Zensibly can store a personal cut-off in IST. At or after that time, new entries placed through Zensibly are refused. An order that closes an existing position is still allowed.
This control should not be confused with an exchange closing time or a broker's auto square-off policy. Orders placed in a broker app need the separate controls that apply to external trades. Broker support and connection status matter.
Want to compare plans that include a daily trade limit and entry cut-off? See the Zensibly discipline controls.
Entry cut-off checklist
- Review entry quality by time of day.
- Choose the cut-off in IST.
- Keep exits available.
- Define how pending orders are handled.
- Pair the time with a daily trade limit.
- Check current broker square-off rules separately.
- Review the rule after enough trading days.
Continue with how to stop overtrading and how to stop revenge trading.