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The Options Blog

Trading in the options market can be confusing, but here you’ll find relevant articles to increase your options trading knowledge. Are you confused with terms like implied volatility, strikes, underlying, calendar spreads, strike prices, index call options and put options? If yes, then join our Trading Community and learn from us. I am sharing my experience with everyone that is willing to learn new things, from beginners to experienced traders. From trading perspectives to options strategies as well as students' frequent questions. You can also get access to my exclusive premium option trades from my own Income Hedge Fund. This is not just an options blog, this is your 24/7 trade academy! Some of the trades go against the "herd". Probably that is why I am profitable...

FREE: The easiest VXX options strategy

Yes, I am disclosing this strategy. This trade does not have any adjustments or complex options positions. Just a simple Put bought at a certain strike and DTE.

33 Blog articles all options traders must read

I have selected from the internet a collection of options articles with relevant information about options trading.

How to trade Earnings with options?

Selling Iron Condors or Straddles is not the way to achieve consistency when trading earnings. Benefiting from the IV crush is hard and a casino bet... check how to properly trade earnings.

Best options trading books

Anyone can learn options trading either by taking courses, taking lessons but also by reading some excellent books on options trading and achieving consistent returns every month if they have an open mind to understand the basics. Then you are better prepared to take options strategies courses.

Why the Ride Trade is a highly consistent ?

Yes, it is the most consistent options strategy that I know. I developed this options strategy (no stock involved) to be used with SPY and QQQ. A strategy that can be easily managed by someone who trades to have extra money at the end of the month. No need to be glued on the computer screen. Its options course can be found here.

What is the best options trading platform for serious traders?

A brief analysis of the best options trading platforms and brokers. The top ones include Tastyworks, ThinkorSwim, InteractiveBrokers, among others.

Iron Condors: Don't trade them before reading this

One of the most discussed options trading strategy is the Iron Condor. In short, it is composed of 2 sold Vertical Spreads out-the-money: one Short Put Vertical and another Short Call Vertical Spread. Check this lower-risk approach to Iron Condor options trade that increases the success rate and adjustments flexibility.

Do not trade options, unless you understand Implied Volatility

As you can see from all my strategies, entry and exit points are much more dependent on Delta values than on underlying price movements.

What is VXX ?

VXX is a volatility ETN designed to give traders exposure to changes in the VIX Index through near-term VIX futures contracts (/VX). Traders who buy VXX are anticipating an increase in the VIX Index or futures, and vice versa.

Time decay does not affect options the same way

Options are "decaying" assets, losing value to their owners over time. Learn how option positioning (At-the-Money, In-the-Money, and Out-the-Money) affects options time decay.

Options Calculator: the best options trader tool

Every options trader should know before entering a trade or adjust to having a proper simulating tool to support his decision. Here you can have the best one. For FREE.

Delta Neutral Trading: your next big thing

If you want to upgrade your trading level, gain consistency, become long-term profitable, you have to move for this type of trading.

5 reasons I do not trade Cryptocurrencies

Cryptos are a very risky asset class. Value is not linked with anything. Usage in payments is very low. Financial regulators are not willing to embrace these currencies. What is the cryptocurrencies future?

Stock price charts?! Why I do not need them

To be honest, I also tried in the past to learn technical analysis and how to use some indicators. Like many, I started trying to predict the next market or individual stock movement. Soon, I understood it did not work for me...

The Greeks: What you need to know

Delta, Theta, Vega, and Gamma. Understanding the Greeks is key to manage the risk of your position and full portfolio.

A must read for any options trader!

Options prices are defined by two main constituents: intrinsic and extrinsic (or time) values. Implied Volatility is the most important factor influencing options pricing.

How to win on options trading for income?

Trading options for income may be the first step towards building a sizable portfolio that might eventually become sizeable enough

How to learn options trading ?

For those of you that started trading stocks, forex, or any other market and are having difficulties becoming profitable (don't feel alone, I had the same problem!), you should try to trade options.

Options Trading Levels

Brokerages apply trading levels to options traders, according to their experience. Beginner options traders have limited access to complex options strategies. But this intends to protect both the options trader and the broker.

VIX Term Structure explained

The shape of the VIX futures prices when plotted (upwards, downwards, or flat) indicates whether the market is expecting more or less market volatility in shorter-term or longer-term periods.

Options Trading: Top 5 questions answered

During these years of teaching, some students and followers had put me several questions, and here you have a list of the most common ones (and my answers).

What separates rookies from pro traders?

By opposition to experienced traders, newbies seem surprised when losses happen. Or expecting to have a big majority of profitable trades.

Top 5 tips for beginner options traders

Options trading is a bit complex and can be very profitable if a trader knows what are the risks of his positions. If you’re are starting to trade options, however, then check some basic guidelines before starting an adventure in options trading

Longer-term vs short-term options

I tend to prefer longer timeframe trades because they are less volatile. But this is my preference. Some of you like shorter-term trades because they deliver fast profits and deliver more "adrenaline"