# Taking an Entry

You found something that looks good. Now you need to enter without fumbling it.

Most losses come from bad entries, not bad ideas.

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A good setup only works if the timing makes sense.
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### Before you click buy

You should be clear on three things:

* **Why** you're entering (narrative strength, chart setup, momentum)
* **Where** you'll take profit
* **Where** you'll cut if it fails

If any of these feel unclear, wait. You already know how to plan trades from [Building the Right Mindset](https://learn.trenchacademy.xyz/memecoins/memecoin-trading-playbook/core/building-the-right-mindset). This is where you apply it.

> Clarity beats speed.

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### When to enter

Look for calm, controlled entry points instead of emotional ones.

**Better entries:**

* Buying near support instead of chasing the peak
* Red candles during healthy pullbacks
* Flat price with steady community interest building

Most good entries feel uncomfortable. That's normal. If it feels quiet and boring, it's probably better than the one that feels exciting.

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The best entries usually happen when you're slightly unsure, not when you're convinced it's going straight up.
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### How to actually execute

Once you've decided to enter, here's the practical side.

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{% tab title="Slippage" %}
Slippage is how much price movement you'll tolerate for your order to fill.

* Low slippage (1-5%): Safer, but you might miss fast-moving entries
* High slippage (10-20%+): More likely to fill, but you might get a worse price

For most entries on established coins, 5-10% is reasonable. For new launches or fast pumps, you may need higher, but know you're paying for speed.
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{% tab title="Sizing your buy" %}
Don't buy your full position at once unless you're extremely confident.

Common approach:

* 50% on initial entry
* 25% if it dips and holds
* 25% if strength confirms

This way you're not all-in at the worst price if it pulls back right after you buy.
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{% tab title="Using presets" %}
Most trading platforms let you set buy/sell presets (0.5 SOL, 1 SOL, etc.).

Set these up before you need them. When things move fast, you don't want to be typing numbers manually.
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<figure><img src="https://730656962-files.gitbook.io/~/files/v0/b/gitbook-x-prod.appspot.com/o/spaces%2FCRPFhssA7wlxdCLlvcDb%2Fuploads%2FJbSsG2GTOiOlvUX2sMmI%2FBuilding%20the%20Right%20Mindset.png?alt=media&#x26;token=06c79fc8-b9c0-44c3-8b4a-f5af120eb707" alt=""><figcaption></figcaption></figure>

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### Position sizing

Size based on risk, not excitement.

* If unsure, go smaller
* Let the trade prove itself before adding
* Consistency matters more than swinging big on one entry

This is covered in depth in [Common Mistakes](https://learn.trenchacademy.xyz/memecoins/memecoin-trading-playbook/core/common-mistakes), but the short version: your size should be small enough that you can think clearly if it moves against you.

> Small entries keep you alive long enough to improve.

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### Don't copy blindly

Seeing someone else buy doesn't mean you should.

You don't know their exit plan, their size, or their risk tolerance. Without that context, you're not copying a trade. You're copying a entry with none of the logic behind it.

If you're going to follow someone's plays, at least understand why they're in it before you ape.

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{% hint style="info" %}
**Going deeper**

Professionals decide whether to trade at all before deciding how to enter. That filtering process is explained in: [**Adapting to Market Conditions**](https://learn.trenchacademy.xyz/memecoins/memecoin-trading-playbook/how-pros-think/adapting-to-market-conditions)
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***

{% hint style="success" %}
If your entry is intentional instead of impulsive, you've already improved your odds.
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