Struggling with trading results of pre-market gap scan

I'm hoping someone can spot something that I'm obviously missing in my attempts to apply a Pre-Market Gap Up/Down scan setup. I'm also really hoping we don't fall into a rabbit hole debate about the setup or the Youtube proponent of it (Humbled Trader); I feel like until I can figure out how to actually make the play I won't be in a position to discuss pros/cons. So, my understanding of the setup: \* Scan for pre-market gap up/downs. Doesn't have to be a low float one like in the screenshot below. But don't take a position on the day of. https://preview.redd.it/yzvlid8rygle1.png?width=1770&format=png&auto=webp&s=42614298760e841f0a20502ab09a8c2568169a9a \* Mark out daily key levels to get a sense of what the potential profit and risk could be. \* Favour the stocks that had a news catalyst e.g. Earnings \* Check how the stock behaved on prior gap up/downs. Did it reverse or maintain the trend. \* If it's a low float stock, increases likelihood of insiders cashing out resulting in a reversal on the 2nd/3rd day. \* Watch the 5min chart with VWAP. Buy/sell close to the VWAP and take profit as the price moves away from the VWAP. \* Most movement happens 9.30am - 11ish, so if it doesn't move then its unlikely to do later in the day. I tried this for 2 weeks straight, and it felt like an excercise in futility. Running the scan is easy enough. As is tracking earnings calendars. I completely failed at identifying whether to go long or short though. I could figure out when a trend was forming and ending, but I mostly failed on when to enter and exit. Reviewing what I should have done showed there was significant potential with the shortlisted stocks in the first hour or so opening. So any pointers on what I'm missing would be much appreciated!