Originally posted by Lobster
Obviously, he is looking to short stocks which he expects to crash. If he hits an Enron or even just an RJR or TYC, he can make a lot more, also buying just one put will minimize commissions.
Regarding a synthetic short position, if those two option round-trips cost you $2 per contract more in commissions than shorting stock, you have to take that into account. Otherwise I agree with bone, instead of doing a synthetic short, I would rather sell a call spread instead of just the call.
You can only be assigned an option that you are short, on a long option position, you decide yourself whether to exercise it or not.