Essential Tips for Options Trading Archives

Nov 1, 2020 | May 15, 2020 Essential Tips for Options Trading

Programming Trade-Triggers for the Win

David: What is the primary goal?Joshua: You should know, Professor. You programmed me.David: Oh, c'mon. What is the primary goal?Joshua: To win the game.(Movie: WarGames) Commentary The COVID-Crash this past February stung pretty badly! I had 14 trades that all..

Nov 1, 2020 | Apr 10, 2020 All Posts

Thrashing is the Hardest Part of Trading

He who is not courageous enough to take riskswill accomplish nothing in life.- Muhammad Ali Commentary Thrashing is the Hardest Part of Trading Choppy aftershocks are going to be the status quo after the epic 37% collapse of the DOW..

Feb 15, 2022 | Feb 21, 2020 All Posts

Watching the Watch-List

"You have taught us there is nothing beyond our reach.Not even the stars..."Nuria- (Star Trek TNG: "Who Watches the Watchers") Commentary This week's commentary will begin a series of overviews on my watchlist and how I use it to help..

Nov 11, 2022 | Jan 17, 2020 Essential Tips for Options Trading

Guardian of the VIX

Market volatility can tell me a lot about the broader market, and one of the most useful volatility indicators is the CBOE VIX Market Sentiment. But sometimes, it just flys over my head. Table of Content Commentary - Guardian of..

Jan 22, 2021 | Jan 10, 2020 All Posts

Geopolitical Awareness – The Great Buzz-Kill

Wisdom tends to grow in proportionto one's awareness of one's ignorance.- Anthony de Mello Commentary Awareness is a great change agent. This is true if you are walking to your car late at night, responding to kooky emails, or making..

Dec 8, 2020 | Jan 3, 2020 Essential Tips for Options Trading

Discipline Option Trading

The only way to get rid of your past, is to make a future out of it. – Phillips Brooks Commentary Week one of 2020 has only two trading days - Thursday and Friday. Monday and Tuesday were the last trading..

Nov 26, 2020 | Dec 20, 2019 All Posts

Ex-Dividends Dates Dance

Prologue This week's post reviews my actions in dealing with an unexpected Assignment to the short-leg of a spread. What I will not cover below is how to manage the in-the-money covered/uncovered call option when approaching ex-dividend. Tips on avoiding..

Dec 29, 2020 | Sep 13, 2019 Essential Tips for Options Trading

Implications of Implied Volatility

Dream Big!Never let anyone tell you you're not scary!- Mike Wazowski (Movie: Monsters University) Prologue When I first started Options trading last year, I went through a slew of webinars and online courses from Ameritrade. The Options Greeks were a..

Nov 26, 2020 | Aug 30, 2019 All Posts

Option Spreads Alone Can’t Win

There are those who say fate is something beyond our command.That destiny is not our own – but I know better.Our fate lives within us, you only have to be brave enough to see it.– Merida (Movie: Brave) Prologue Option..

Jul 15, 2021 | Aug 16, 2019 All Posts

How to Manage Losing Vertical Spreads

Prologue This week I am still reacting to the market meltdown that started July 31. Over the past 11 trading days, the Dow lost 1,600 points. As a result, my three Vertical Put Spreads that expires this coming Friday (8/16)..