Sorry to interfere with this obvious "love fest" - I like to check threads that have titles of interest, and yet I haven't seen any discussion pertaining to "Volatility Trading." LOL...
I think I did see riskarb mention something about other factors that come into play, but here's my 2 cents.
Since the 1970's, on the options floor, we have always looked to hedge by buying lower volatility, selling higher volatility, generally with calendars or verticals, while keeping somewhat delta neutral. I say "somewhat" because, as the near term shorts get close, we take additional risk if the stock is near the strike price (but since this last few days is generally all the profit differential, based on Implieds, we would "tough it out."
Most of the same strategies we enjoyed for 20 years seem to have gone away, since I notice most conversions priced right at fair value....but, I still like ratio calendar's if there is enough juice in the near term....then simply do the "double rollover" (sell long, plus extras, adjusting strike price if necessary, and buying the further outs).
Anyway, I was sort of expecting to read something along these lines, from those of you actively trading in the pits or off-floor.
What's working in the volatility game for you (no, I don't mean naked Tasr calls, LOL). ??
All the best,
Don