Option Pit

When I got into options, I figured there were approval levels 1,2,3 and 4.
Well similarly there seem to be learning levels 1,2,3,4. Sure, there are.

Sometimes you can make level 1 learning work with good money management, good risk management, maybe an understanding of charts to remove some risky trades.

Here it seems like we are fighting over whether level 2 education is better than level 4.
Maybe it is not, but if someone can make it work as I described above with money management, risk management and whatever ... does it become useless?


The layman isn't going to understand or spot the nuance or esoteric concept. It's the nature of things. He literally doesn't know what exposures are causing his wins and losses. Does it matter? Not until your knowledge level exceeds that of the individual that you're paying for advice.

In D1 it doesn't matter. Risk-adjusted returns are all you should be worried about.

The NVDA spread worked because the vol isn't going to drop pre-report. There is very little risk to the position because gamma is overwhelmed (locally) by "synthetic" time (vol). Practitioners will look at the straddle price as implied move in the underlying, post-earnings. That price will remain relatively stable and perhaps rise, even though theta is negative, because there is an assumption of a large move, post report. That assumption isn't going to change over a few days prior to the report.

Look at the 250 straddle. Shares at 250. If the combo is trading at $12 on day one and $12 on day seven with shares at 250--the vol has to have rallied. Time has passed yet the straddle hasn't decayed and your delta position is unch.
 
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I still am amazed that you call your straddles non directional ....

I have never met an option expert that would call a long straddle non- directional. Also my straddle example was entered atm but called directional simply because after I mentioned it the stock moved higher.

Also when you buy a straddle ATM the minute the stock moves a few pennies up or down it is now directional. Delta neutrality is a momentary existence which disappears when the stock budges.

Just finding it hard to accept your option terminology when it flies in the face of Natenberg, McMillian, Cottle and Hull. You can determine that my masters level of the math of options is not relevant to you but when you make comments that go against option legends such as Natenberg and Cottle then that speaks for itself.

Those who think I am not being civil can simply refer to Hull, Natenberg and Cottle as authoritative texts and then make your own decision on whether a long straddle into earnings is no directional but a short straddle IS directional.

A strategy that makes money does not negate faulty logic behind it. Your strategy is clear to me how it makes money even though you misrepresent the Greeks you are exploiting. For me it is not enough to just make money, you should also be factually correct in the math behind options and terminology.

That is as civil as I can say it and if anyone disagrees, just let me know your expertise in options and the greeks.

Long straddle IS a non directional strategy. Here are some references from few well respected sources:

The Best Non-Directional Options Trading Strategy in the Markets ...
Straddle Options Trading - Options Buying Non Directional | Udemy
Seeking Alpha With Long Straddles - Option Matters
Straddles and Strangles: Non-Directional Option Strategies
Non Directional Trading | Non Directional Options Trading
How To Profit Trading Straddles | Benzinga
Straddles and Strangles – RiskReversal



I'm really surprised that you disputing this well known fact. I'm well familiar with all authors you mentioned, as well as Jeff Augen (read all his books), Russell Rhoads, Dan Passarelli and more. So let me say it one more time:

Non directional trading refers to being delta neutral. Not gamma neutral or vega neutral. By definition, those strategies are much safer than taking a directional bet.


Selling straddle is also non directional - as long as you sell the strike near the current price. Your trade started non directional but turned directional going into earnings once the stock moved.

Yes, if you start directional and the stock moves, the trade becomes directional. Now the question is what you do. You can stay directional if you believe the stock will continue in the same direction (in case of long straddle). Or if you believe the stock will reverse in case of short straddle (which is what you did with your trade). Or you can hedge the delta with stock or options. Or in case of big move, you can book the gains and re position the whole trade.
 
Long straddle IS a non directional strategy. Here are some references from few well respected sources:

The Best Non-Directional Options Trading Strategy in the Markets ...
Straddle Options Trading - Options Buying Non Directional | Udemy
Seeking Alpha With Long Straddles - Option Matters
Straddles and Strangles: Non-Directional Option Strategies
Non Directional Trading | Non Directional Options Trading
How To Profit Trading Straddles | Benzinga
Straddles and Strangles – RiskReversal



I'm really surprised that you disputing this well known fact. I'm well familiar with all authors you mentioned, as well as Jeff Augen (read all his books), Russell Rhoads, Dan Passarelli and more. So let me say it one more time:

Non directional trading refers to being delta neutral. Not gamma neutral or vega neutral. By definition, those strategies are much safer than taking a directional bet.


Selling straddle is also non directional - as long as you sell the strike near the current price. Your trade started non directional but turned directional going into earnings once the stock moved.

Yes, if you start directional and the stock moves, the trade becomes directional. Now the question is what you do. You can stay directional if you believe the stock will continue in the same direction (in case of long straddle). Or if you believe the stock will reverse in case of short straddle (which is what you did with your trade). Or you can hedge the delta with stock or options. Or in case of big move, you can book the gains and re position the whole trade.


The GOOGL Aug24 1200 straddle is non-directional?

Non-directional trading refers to delta-neutral? How did you discretely-hedge that NVDA trade?

Delta-neutrality doesn't exist. Each tick, passage of time, movement in vol...
 
That's my point. Your long straddle is also directional as soon as the stock moves. Unless you know how to pick stocks that stay perfectly still the whole time. Delta neutral ONLY the minute you buy it. You don't hedge deltas you just hold until prior to earnings.

I feel like I am talking to a wall. You admitted I was right that the long straddle becomes directional if the stock moves. The stock moves after you buy your straddle this negating your delta neutrality.

Now you are telling me that in your strategy you hedge your deltas as the stock moves???? Where is that in your strategy?
 
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That's my point. Your long straddle is also directional as soon as the stock moves. Unless you know how to pick stocks that stay perfectly still the whole time. Delta neutral ONLY the minute you buy it. You don't hedge deltas you just hold until prior to earnings.

I feel like I am talking to a wall. You admitted I was right that the long straddle becomes directional if the stock moves. The stock moves after you buy your straddle this negating your delta neutrality.

Now you are telling me that in your strategy you hedge your deltas as the stock moves???? Where is that in your strategy?

Yes, but many times if the stock moves enough, you can close the trade for a profit. The point is that I don't need to guess the direction. I can make money no matter which direction the stock moves.
 
Yes, but many times if the stock moves enough, you can close the trade for a profit. The point is that I don't need to guess the direction. I can make money no matter which direction the stock moves.


GOOGL Aug24 1200 straddle—can you make money if the shares drop 1sigma?
 
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