Hey Maverick74

Quote from tyrant:

Hi Mav,

Thanks for earlier answer regarding gamma scalping.

I have read somewhere where you posted that in the LONG RUN, one can probably earn a return of 15-20% per annum employing a short premium strategy (if you are competent and know what you're doing) but here your goal is 5% to 10% per month. Can you explain the differences? Sorry if I have misread your earlier posts. And just to make sure; I am talking about returns on account as a whole and not only margin used.

I trade in a JBO. With a haircut I try to make 5% to 10% a month. I have actually had 30% to 40% months but this is not with Reg T margin treatment. You really can't do that in retail.
 
Quote from timbo:

Good god man, pay attention.
Thanks for that timbo :p.
He appears to be talking about ctm backspreads but then he also makes a general statement:
"Anytime you are short options you should always scalp them"
Can you see the source of my question now :) ?
However, I think I have the answer, but it's alsways nice to see it confirmed.
daddy's boy
 
Quote from daddy'sboy:

Thanks for that timbo :p.
He appears to be talking about ctm backspreads but then he also makes a general statement:
"Anytime you are short options you should always scalp them"
Can you see the source of my question now :) ?
However, I think I have the answer, but it's alsways nice to see it confirmed.
daddy's boy

By scalping, i'm not referring to active day to day scalping. But rather buying back your short options when there is no jiuce left. That is a no brainer. You should never leave .05 and .10 options on your sheets. Buy them back and sell if you can re-sell them for 1.00 to 2.00.
 
Quote from Maverick74:

Backspreads are the most versatile option strategy. Because you can trade direction, trade delta neutral, sell juice, play for a big move, gamma scalp, all while having very limited risk.
A good trader will be able to leg into his backspreads for credits and trade direction for free while having unlimited upside and zero risk of taking large hits.

What is a CTM backspread???


And for you "beginning option traders",legging into a backspread is no small feat.You need to be an adept directional trader or on the right side of volatility....

Personall,I dont see how anyone could have made money being long backspreads in the equity markets without making directional bets
 
Quote from taowave:

What is a CTM backspread???


And for you "beginning option traders",legging into a backspread is no small feat.You need to be an adept directional trader or on the right side of volatility....

personally,I dont see how anyone could have made money being long backspreads in the equity markets without making directional bets

CTM= close to the money

No, I'm not talking about legging in from the start. I'm talking about trading the short call back and forth until you have a net credit that exceeds the difference between the strikes. I do it all the time. No, it's not that hard. But it requires you to do more then just sit on a spread and wait for expiration.
 
Quote from Maverick74:

CTM= close to the money

No, I'm not talking about legging in from the start. I'm talking about trading the short call back and forth until you have a net credit that exceeds the difference between the strikes. I do it all the time. No, it's not that hard. But it requires you to do more then just sit on a spread and wait for expiration.

Mav,thats really not much different than trading your gamma and hedging your delta,unless i am missing something.You just choose to trade the short option..

I have a feeling you are either very good at assessing an individual stocks vol rel to the implied,or you are a very good directional trader...
 
Quote from taowave:

Mav,thats really not much different than trading your gamma and hedging your delta,unless i am missing something.You just choose to trade the short option..

I have a feeling you are either very good at assessing an individual stocks vol rel to the implied,or you are a very good directional trader...

Buying back your short options is not gamma scalping. You usually have a flat delta position when you are buying back your short calls. The reason you are buying them back is because they are worthless, not because you are trading your deltas.

Yes, you can trade backspreads from a directional standpoint or you can trade them delta neutral. Like I said, they are very versatile.
 
Quote from AAAintheBeltway:

Mav,

What do you mean by hard versus soft delta?

Hard deltas are real, soft deltas are not. Hard deltas are ATM or ITM options. Soft deltas are always OTM and have nothing but time premium. When you are trading hard deltas, it is said that you have a real position. You are trading the underlying. If it moves against you, you need it to move back. This is not true with soft deltas.

Some guys like to trade hard deltas. Some guys prefer to always trade softs. Some do both but try their best to roll their positions anytime their short options get ATM.
 
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