I think one has to be careful about taking a nice win and ignoring the lessons behind it. Kind of like someone in poker holding an Ace and King and betting big on getting two pairs based on other cards showing coming and actually hitting it. It does not make the bet the smartest one just because it worked out.
The $60 Call was at around $2.60 when this trade idea surfaced and with $1,000 you could do the $60 calls as easily as the $65 calls. Instead of 20 $65 Calls, you could do 3 $60 Calls for $780.
Those calls are now worth $5.70 for a profit of $3.10 or $930.
Now your first reaction is to say that it is less than the profit on the $65 calls. But if GILDstalled at $63 or $64 the $65 calls woud have faded into almost nothing and produced a loss. The $60 Calls would still have a profit for your efforts. The $60 Call perhaps had a higher % chance of producing a profit based on the trader's assumptions.
If you take the more probable position consistently, then in the long run you will make more money. Choosing the OTM ticket means you will lose more often than not and trade uphill at times.
SO my points in this thread were to take the due diligence and apply it to higher probable positions for better profit potential. Even if GILD dropped back in price to $61, you would have some money to salvage from the position to get out while the $65 call would evaporate given the 2 days to expiration.
Congrats to the OP on the trade, but look into different strike selections to improve yuour profits over the long haul, not just trade by trade
P.S. At least the ISIL strike is ATM
Quote from optionpro007:
rsethura1,
Congrats, not so much for the outcome, but for sticking to your convictions.
Even though I agree that there are strategies that are better suited to minimize risk, what else could you have done with $1k? Nothing in my opinion, but I could be wrong. (any comments on this from the experts?)
The only way out when someone has such a small account is going for a home run.
I have done it before, so it is possible.
Hope this one works for you.
Cheers !