New guy and the new math ....

I appreciate your reply. This helps a lot. Regarding volume, do you mean I should see if there at least 200 contracts written(existing), or that I should buy 200 contracts going in? That would be steep. I'm sure I can find the existing volume somewhere associated with the broker's web site. I've had one unicorn so far, the rest are pending.
Thanks again.

This thread has drifted off into discussing volume - which, while important, does not deal with your original question. As @destriero pointed out, the reason for the price change is that the implied volatility (which is what "vol" usually means WRT options) dropped.
 
Here's an example of my just poking around. Assuming there is some upward momentum, would this be a reasonable sample of what to look for?

MGM $21 strike Call BID 2.78 x 251 (assuming this is the volume) and ASK 2.98 x 189

Not too wide a spread in Bid/Ask and both volumes are at or near 200.

Thanks again everyone.
 
This thread has drifted off into discussing volume - which, while important, does not deal with your original question. As @destriero pointed out, the reason for the price change is that the implied volatility (which is what "vol" usually means WRT options) dropped.


It’s possible that he simply overpaid, especially on a very wide bid/ask spread. Market makers can ask $0.50 for an option worth $0.05.
 
This thread has drifted off into discussing volume - which, while important, does not deal with your original question. As @destriero pointed out, the reason for the price change is that the implied volatility (which is what "vol" usually means WRT options) dropped.

Yes, thanks for this.
 
Hmmm ... sorry I don't follow. Do you mean that bid and ask volumes should be close to each other so that the bids don't grossly outweigh the asks when it comes time to sell? I understand that I should look for bid and ask prices closer to each other than I have been doing.
Preferably trade volume. But they kinda go hand in hand with bid/ask
 
Tell me please if this information reflects the trade volume. The numbers following the price of Bid and Ask. Thanks again for help.
Screen Shot 2020-06-10 at 5.58.09 PM.png
 
It’s possible that he simply overpaid, especially on a very wide bid/ask spread. Market makers can ask $0.50 for an option worth $0.05.

Looking at his first post, and given the initial premium and the change in the underlying that he described, it doesn't seem like that would be the reason - but this is certainly worth mentioning. A wide B/A spread, especially given lack of volume, is fairly likely.
 
OK ....
MNK bought $2.50 July 2 Put at 0.40 = $40.52 with commission. Traded today.

Things I check before I purchase any options: IV and spreads. Unfortunately, you got whacked by both. Those spreads are nasty and implied is higher than historical volatility at the moment.
 
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