I respect what you have to say but don't understand why you do not like spreads. They are a way to reduce risk, as you know, by capping your loss. I like credit spreads (both puts and calls) on the SPY depending on how the market is doing. I like them just a few days out and aim for a small credit that I can reproduce many times. I have just started credit call spreads recently and am tracking them to evaluate expectancy. What I like about the SPY is that there is expiration several times per week. I realize this is not for everyone.
double the commissions and you still have to pick the direction anyway to win. why not just pick a direction to begin with unless your just hoping that the trade will wander your way, which is why people trade spreads. they have no clue what the market will do so it helps them stay in the game and lose more slowly while hoping for a miracle.