Options Trading Guide - Advanced Strategies & Risk Management
Learn options trading with calls, puts, Greeks, and risk management. Requires significant trading experience and risk capital.
🎯 What Are Options?
Options are contracts that give you the right (but not obligation) to buy or sell an asset at a specific price within a certain timeframe. Think of it like a reservation system for stocks.
⚠️ Essential Knowledge
- Assignment Risk: Option sellers can be assigned at any time and forced to deliver shares
- PDT Rules: Pattern Day Trading rules apply - need $25,000 to day trade options
- Time Decay: Options lose value daily as expiration approaches
📞 Call Options
The right to BUY a stock at a specific price
💡 Example:
Buy a call option for Apple at $150. If Apple goes to $160, you can still buy at $150 and profit $10 per share.
📉 Put Options
The right to SELL a stock at a specific price
💡 Example:
Buy a put option for Apple at $150. If Apple drops to $140, you can still sell at $150 and profit $10 per share.
🔍 Key Options Terms
Strike Price
The price at which you can buy/sell the stock
Expiration Date
When the option contract expires
Premium
The cost to buy the option
Exercise
Actually using your right to buy/sell
📈 Profit/Loss Visualization
📝 Note: This shows intrinsic value only. Real options have time value that decays!
💰 Basic Options Strategies
📈 Long Call (Bullish)
BullishWhen to use: You think a stock will go UP
Max Risk: Premium paid
Max Reward: Unlimited
Example:
Apple at $150 → Buy $155 call for $2
If Apple hits $160: Profit = $160 - $155 - $2 = $3 per share
📉 Long Put (Bearish)
BearishWhen to use: You think a stock will go DOWN
Max Risk: Premium paid
Max Reward: Strike price - premium
Example:
Apple at $150 → Buy $145 put for $3
If Apple drops to $135: Profit = $145 - $135 - $3 = $7 per share
🛡️ Covered Call (Income)
IncomeWhen to use: You own 100 shares and want extra income
Risk: Limited upside if stock rises a lot
Example:
Own 100 Apple shares at $150 → Sell $160 call for $2
Collect $200 premium, but shares get called away if Apple > $160
🔤 The Greeks (Simplified for Beginners)
The "Greeks" are measurements that help you understand how option prices change. You don't need to master these to start, but understanding the basics helps.
Δ Delta
What: Price change per $1 stock move
Example: Delta 0.50 means option gains $0.50 if stock rises $1
Θ Theta
What: Value lost per day from time decay
Example: Theta -0.05 means losing $5/day per contract
Γ Gamma
What: How fast Delta changes as stock moves
Example: Higher gamma = Delta changes more rapidly
V Vega
What: Price change per 1% volatility change
Example: Vega 0.15 means +$15 if volatility rises 1%
💡 Focus on Delta & Theta first - these impact your trades the most!
🎓 Advanced Trader's Options Checklist
Before Trading Options:
Ready to trade? Complete at least 50 paper trades with consistent profits first.
📊 Understanding Option Chains
Learn how to read and analyze real option chains like professional traders
Apple (AAPL) Call Options Example
Stock Price: $150.00 | 30 days to expiration
| Strike | Bid | Ask | Volume | Open Interest | IV% | Analysis |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| $145 | $7.20 | $7.35 | 1,234 | 5,678 | 32% | In-the-Money |
| $150 | $3.45 | $3.55 | 8,901 | 12,345 | 35% | At-the-Money |
| $155 | $1.20 | $1.25 | 3,456 | 7,890 | 38% | Out-of-Money |
| $160 | $0.45 | $0.50 | 892 | 2,134 | 42% | Deep OTM |
💡 Key Insights from this Option Chain:
- Highest Volume: $150 strike (ATM) - indicates most trader interest
- Liquidity: Tight bid-ask spreads on popular strikes
- Implied Volatility: Higher IV for OTM options (volatility smile effect)
- Risk/Reward: ITM = higher cost, higher probability | OTM = lower cost, lower probability
🎯 Strategy Selection Matrix
| Market Outlook | Strategy | Risk Level | Best For | Example |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 🚀 Very Bullish | Long Call | High | Big moves up | Buy $150 call for $3.50 |
| 📈 Moderately Bullish | Bull Call Spread | Medium | Steady rise | Buy $150/$155 spread |
| 📉 Bearish | Long Put | High | Market drops | Buy $145 put for $2.80 |
| 😴 Neutral/Sideways | Iron Condor | Medium | Range-bound | Complex 4-leg strategy |