Spreads are very different if you have a directional view. Versus naked put selling? C'mon man.
Even in an up market with a VIX below 20 and everything is super calm, who's to say you don't wake up and Putin nuked somebody? I wouldn't say the same about naked calls as the good news can only be so good in any one day. The bad news can change the world forever. You can say there's theoretically no limit to the upside and only 3500 points to the downside. I can't think of any news that could make us open limit up tomorrow and then for multiple days thereafter - but the same can't be said for the downside.
Two differences between trading spreads and trading outright options:
1. You trade more spreads to make the same time value as outrights - then you are not as protected because you have leverage.
2. You trade the same amount of spreads as you would naked (you are unlevered). Overtime how much do you piss away on that downside put?
In the end, both trades are picking up pennies in front of a steam roller.
