Sniping is the art of buying a token at the exact moment it launches - ideally in the first block. Done right, you can catch 10x-100x moves before most traders even see the token. Done wrong, you'll lose money to rugs, failed transactions, and bots faster than you.
This guide covers everything you need to know about sniping memecoins on Solana: finding launches, setting up sniper bots, avoiding common traps, and maximizing your edge using terminals like Banana Gun, Trojan, and BullX.
What is Token Sniping?
Token sniping means buying a cryptocurrency the moment it becomes tradeable. On Solana, this typically happens when:
- A Pump.fun token hits bonding curve completion
- A token adds liquidity on Raydium or Orca
- An airdrop claim goes live
Why Snipe?
- Best possible entry: Buy at the lowest price before any pump
- First-mover advantage: Get in before the crowd discovers it
- Asymmetric risk/reward: Small bets can return 10x-100x
- Automation: Bots execute faster than humans can click
Reality Check
Most sniped tokens go to zero. Even successful snipers have low win rates. The strategy works because winners more than cover the losses - but only if you manage risk properly.
Finding Tokens to Snipe
The hardest part of sniping is finding tokens worth sniping. Here are the main sources:
Pump.fun Migrations
When a Pump.fun token completes its bonding curve (~$69K market cap), it migrates to Raydium with real liquidity. This is a key sniping opportunity because:
- Token has already proven some demand
- Liquidity is added automatically
- Often pumps immediately after migration
Use Photon's Memescope or BullX's PumpVision to monitor tokens approaching migration.
Social Media Launches
Many tokens are announced on Twitter/X before launch. Look for:
- Influencers announcing "launching in 1 hour"
- Project accounts with countdown timers
- Telegram groups sharing contract addresses early
The risk: many of these are scams designed to dump on snipers.
Launch Calendars
Some terminals track upcoming launches:
- Axiom Twitter Intel monitors KOL announcements
- Telegram bots aggregate launch schedules
- Discord alpha groups share early calls
Mempool Monitoring
Advanced snipers watch the mempool for liquidity addition transactions. When they see a dev adding LP, they submit their buy transaction immediately. This requires:
- Specialized infrastructure (RPC nodes, custom bots)
- High priority fees to land in the same block
- Fast execution - milliseconds matter
Most retail traders use terminals that handle this complexity for them.
Setting Up Your Sniper
Choose Your Terminal
Not all terminals are equal for sniping. The best options:
- Banana Gun - Powers 88% of top bundle snipers
- Trojan - Consistent first-block execution
- Maestro - 0.15s Solana execution speed
- BullX - Good for multi-chain sniping
Configure Snipe Settings
Key parameters to set before any snipe:
- Buy amount: Start small (0.1-0.5 SOL) until you trust the setup
- Slippage: 15-30% for launches (high volatility)
- Priority fee: Higher = better chance of first block (0.01-0.1 SOL)
- Anti-MEV: Enable if available to prevent sandwich attacks
Pre-Approve the Transaction
Most terminals let you "arm" a snipe - preparing everything so only one click is needed at launch. Enter the token address, set parameters, and wait for the launch signal.
Set Up Auto-Sell
Before you snipe, know your exit:
- Take-profit: Sell 50% at 2x, remainder at 5x
- Stop-loss: Exit if down 50% (many rugs dump immediately)
- Trailing stop: Lock in gains as price rises
Avoiding Rugs and Scams
Most tokens launched on Solana are rugs. Here's how to reduce your exposure:
Pre-Snipe Checks
- Mint authority: Should be revoked (can't create more tokens)
- Freeze authority: Should be revoked (can't freeze your tokens)
- LP lock: Liquidity should be locked or burned
- Top holders: Check for concentrated ownership (dev wallets)
Use tools like Trojan's built-in RugCheck or Maestro's patented Anti-Rug Technology.
Red Flags
- Anonymous dev with no history
- Copy-paste website/social media
- Aggressive shilling with no substance
- Contract deployed minutes before launch
- Locked LP for only 7 days
Anti-Rug Features
Modern terminals include protections:
- Banana Gun: 85% success rate on anti-rug protection
- Maestro: Patented anti-rug on EVM chains
- Trojan: Real-time honeypot detection
Advanced Sniping Strategies
Bundle Sniping
Instead of submitting a single transaction, bundle sniping combines your buy with the liquidity addition transaction. This guarantees first-block execution but requires specialized tools. Banana Gun accounts for 88% of top-performing bundle snipes on Solana.
Jito Tips
Jito is Solana's MEV infrastructure. By tipping Jito validators, you can get preferential transaction ordering. Higher tips = earlier in the block. Most terminals handle Jito integration automatically, but understanding it helps you set appropriate priority fees.
Multi-Wallet Sniping
Some traders snipe from multiple wallets simultaneously to increase their chance of landing in the first block. This is advanced and can be expensive if all transactions succeed.
Presale Sniping
Maestro specializes in presale sniping - getting into token sales before public launch. This works for launchpad tokens like those on Pink Sale or similar platforms.
Common Mistakes
- Sniping blindly: Don't snipe every new token. Most are rugs or will dump immediately.
- Too little slippage: If slippage is too low, transaction fails and you miss the entry.
- Too much slippage: If slippage is too high, you'll get a terrible fill if there's competition.
- No exit plan: Having a take-profit/stop-loss is essential. Emotions will cloud judgment.
- Ignoring fees: Priority fees + gas + trading fees add up. Factor them into profit calculations.
- FOMO re-entry: If you miss the snipe, don't chase. Wait for the next opportunity.
- Overexposure: Never snipe with more than you can afford to lose completely.
Best Tools for Sniping
Recommended Terminals
- Banana Gun: Industry-leading sniping, 88% of top bundles
- Trojan: Reliable first-block execution with BOLT PRO
- Maestro: Fastest Solana execution (0.15s), presale support
- BullX: Multi-chain sniping with PumpVision scanner
- Photon: Great Memescope for finding migration candidates
Risk Management for Sniping
Sniping is high-risk trading. Protect yourself with these rules:
- Position sizing: Never snipe with more than 1-2% of your portfolio per trade
- Daily limits: Set a maximum number of snipes per day
- Loss limits: Stop sniping if you hit a daily loss threshold
- Win tracking: Keep records of every snipe to understand your actual win rate
- Quality over quantity: One good snipe beats ten mediocre ones
See our Memecoin Risk Management Guide for more on protecting your capital.
Get Started Sniping
Ready to try sniping? These terminals have the best features for new token launches: