The other advantage to SIM trades is they are FREE
The other cost of complex spreads...IC's and B-flys is the commission....not so much of an issue if your winning but REALLY sucks on losing trades. When you open and close those 4 legged trades ALL the time at the EOY you could have taken a VERY nice vacation for the same $$. Eats into your take home profit and adds salt to the wounds of the losses. Again (for me) I've cut my cost of commission by trading the options on ES by at least 40% over what it was costing me to trade the SPX.....not insignificant.
The other cost of complex spreads...IC's and B-flys is the commission....not so much of an issue if your winning but REALLY sucks on losing trades. When you open and close those 4 legged trades ALL the time at the EOY you could have taken a VERY nice vacation for the same $$. Eats into your take home profit and adds salt to the wounds of the losses. Again (for me) I've cut my cost of commission by trading the options on ES by at least 40% over what it was costing me to trade the SPX.....not insignificant.
(or you will over trade and drive yourself nuts)