DOM (order book)
Depth of Market: the real-time list of resting buy and sell orders at each price, level by level.
The DOM shows market depth: how many contracts sit at the bid and ask at each level. You spot large orders, their addition or removal, and supply/demand imbalance. DeepDom offers a fast visual read of it.
In depth
The DOM (Depth of Market, or order book) lists in real time the resting limit orders at each price: how many contracts at the bid (patient buyers) and the ask (patient sellers), level by level. It's the instant snapshot of market depth, the raw material of order flow.
You read three things there: large orders (walls), their sudden appearance or removal (hints of intent or spoof), and the overall supply/demand imbalance. The DOM shows intent (resting orders); paired with the tape (executions), it reveals who's actually acting. DeepDom offers a visual, ergonomic read of it.
On DeepDom, watch the levels where large orders settle and hold: those are the battle points. A big addition followed by a defense (volume trades without the wall giving) validates real interest; a removal as price approaches reveals a decoy.
1,200 lots appear at once on the ask two ticks above → potential sell wall.
Believing everything the book displays. A DOM can be manipulated (spoofing): large orders may appear to influence, then vanish. Always read the book against real executions, not in isolation.
Frequently asked
DOM vs heatmap: what's the difference?
The DOM is the instant state of the book, here and now. The heatmap is the visual history of that book over time: it keeps track of liquidity appearing, holding or disappearing.
Should you trade off the DOM (scalping)?
The DOM is a tool, not a forced style. Some scalp directly on it, others use it as context to refine execution of chart-decided trades. Both approaches are valid.
Which instrument to start on the book?
A liquid, steady future like NQ or ES: a dense book and smooth moves make reading clearer than an erratic or thinly traded contract.
Want to get better at order flow?
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