The Option Alpha Podcast
Episodes
145: Backtesting Results Trading Monthly vs. Bi-Monthly Options For 10 Years
13 Oct 2018
Contributed by Lukas
Show notes: http://optionalpha.com/show145Is less more? Often we hear this phrase thrown about with the assumption that when investing you should do l...
144: Interview w/ Larry Connors - Buy the Fear, Sell the Greed Book Review
24 Sep 2018
Contributed by Lukas
Show notes: http://optionalpha.com/show144On today's podcast, we bring in a very special interview guest, Larry Connors, and discuss his new book...
143: What's The Rationale Behind Entering New Option Trades?
21 Sep 2018
Contributed by Lukas
Show notes: http://optionalpha.com/show143Choosing which ticker symbols and option strategies to use when entering new option trades can sometimes see...
142: EWZ Short Put Option Assignment Case Study
03 Sep 2018
Contributed by Lukas
Show notes: http://optionalpha.com/show142Many new options traders worry about what might happen to their portfolio during a short put option assignme...
141: Ultimate Guide To Contango And Backwardation Option Pricing
29 Aug 2018
Contributed by Lukas
Show notes: http://optionalpha.com/show141In the futures trading world, there are two words that sound cool to say but also might be very confusing fo...
140: Why Some Option Trades "Explode" In Your Face & What To Do About It
20 Aug 2018
Contributed by Lukas
Show notes: http://optionalpha.com/show140Have you ever gotten the feeling that some of your trades just end up exploding in your face and turn into &...
139: The 4 "Not-So-Obvious" Ways To Avoid Blowing Up Your Trading Account
15 Aug 2018
Contributed by Lukas
Show notes: http://optionalpha.com/show139We all fear losing money, it's a natural human emotion. Myself included, I fear losing money just as mu...
138: The "Expected Probability Paradox" For Options Traders
06 Aug 2018
Contributed by Lukas
Show notes: http://optionalpha.com/show138I'm going to go out on a limb and publicly declare that this podcast will be one of our top 3 to 5 show...
137: The Ultimate Guide To Option Skew & Volatility Smile
01 Aug 2018
Contributed by Lukas
Show notes: http://optionalpha.com/show137Implied volatility in option pricing is one of the most critical and yet least understood aspects of this bu...
136: How To Calculate Break Even Prices On Iron Condors & Iron Butterflies
18 Jul 2018
Contributed by Lukas
Show notes: http://optionalpha.com/show136Are you new to options trading? Do you have a small account and want to start trading iron condors and iron ...
135: You Don't Need A Degree In Financial Engineering To Understand How Implied Volatility Works
20 Jun 2018
Contributed by Lukas
Show notes: http://optionalpha.com/show135Today we'll condense potentially an entire semester of financial engineering into a single podcast epis...
134: How to Learn From Trading Mistakes & Transitioning Into New Habits
11 Jun 2018
Contributed by Lukas
Show notes: http://optionalpha.com/show134Nobody's trading or investing journey is a straight road or easy path. We never just magically trip int...
133: Weekly Bull Call Spread Backtesting Results For DIA
04 Jun 2018
Contributed by Lukas
Show notes: http://optionalpha.com/show133With the rising popularity of weekly option contracts, many investors are choosing to trade weekly bull call...
132: Can't Trade Unlimited Risk Option Strategies? [Here's 4 Great Alternative Trades]
28 May 2018
Contributed by Lukas
Show notes: http://optionalpha.com/show132Some traders wrongly assume that if they can't trade unlimited risk option strategies, such as straddle...
131: Rolling Options Forward - Multi-Month Case Studies In TLT & IWM
21 May 2018
Contributed by Lukas
Show notes: http://optionalpha.com/show131One of the more advanced techniques options traders use to reduce risk and increase the probability of succe...
130: Five Quick Tips For Smoother Option Order Execution
14 May 2018
Contributed by Lukas
Show notes: http://optionalpha.com/show130Seems most traders constantly struggle with getting option trades filled. And since we never suggest using &...
129: Do You Recognize These 4 Early Warning Signs Of A Non-Diversified Options Portfolio?
07 May 2018
Contributed by Lukas
Show notes: http://optionalpha.com/show129As options traders focused on income generation, it's important that we consistently work towards maint...
128: Stock Market Direction Becomes Irrelevant When You Average Down
30 Apr 2018
Contributed by Lukas
Show notes: http://optionalpha.com/show128How important is picking the right stock market direction when trading options? Depending on how you trade, ...
127: What Contract Month & Option Strike Price Should I Buy Or Sell?
23 Apr 2018
Contributed by Lukas
Show notes: http://optionalpha.com/show127You're ready to place an option trade and you're confident the stock is a good candidate. Now what...
126: Manage Multiple Option Positions Without Having To Be In Front Of The Screen All Day
18 Apr 2018
Contributed by Lukas
Show notes: http://optionalpha.com/show126We're all busy; with work, family, school, kids, etc. And although many people might lead you to believ...
125: Learn How To Trade Options By Eating An Elephant In 90 Days
09 Apr 2018
Contributed by Lukas
Show notes: http://optionalpha.com/show125Want to learn how to trade options the right way but feeling overwhelmed? It's like this big giant elep...
124: The Ugly Truth About Selling Cheap Options
03 Apr 2018
Contributed by Lukas
Show notes: http://optionalpha.com/show124Selling cheap options with very high probabilities of success makes rationale sense on the outside. I mean, ...
123: Stop Focusing On ROI Options Trading Possibilities Until You Cross This Trading Bridge
26 Mar 2018
Contributed by Lukas
Show notes: http://optionalpha.com/show123At Option Alpha we believe (and the research confirms) that the options trading possibilities for retail inv...
122: The "Big Rocks" That Should Be A Priority For All Options Traders
22 Mar 2018
Contributed by Lukas
Show notes: http://optionalpha.com/show122As options traders we need to focus on the levers that really move the needle in terms of generating income ...
121: Small Tweaks When Managing Larger Trading Accounts
15 Mar 2018
Contributed by Lukas
Show notes: http://optionalpha.com/show121Trade long enough and save enough money and eventually, you'll need to make a couple small tweaks to yo...
120: Option Trader Success - Why Some Traders Are Frankly Always More Profitable
26 Feb 2018
Contributed by Lukas
Show notes: http://optionalpha.com/show120Over the last 10+ years I've seen thousands, and coached hundreds, of traders navigate the markets. And...
119: Don't Use A $6,000 Trade To "Practice" Trading Options
23 Feb 2018
Contributed by Lukas
Show notes: http://optionalpha.com/show119The last couple weeks of trading for many newbie investors was quite the learning experience. The market fel...
118: Top 5 Options Trading Psychology Lessons I Learned Over The Last 18 Months
10 Feb 2018
Contributed by Lukas
Show notes: http://optionalpha.com/show118It's always good to look back and analyze what happened in the past. Often times it can help shape the ...
117: Let's Talk About "Deltas" For Options Trading
22 Jan 2018
Contributed by Lukas
Show notes: http://optionalpha.com/show117One of the most popular and widely used options greek is Delta. And while I believe that you can't nece...
116: Debit Spreads Vs Credit Spreads - When To Use Each
15 Jan 2018
Contributed by Lukas
Show notes: http://optionalpha.com/show116You've targeted a stock or ETF setup you like and want to make a directional trade. Maybe some technica...
115: How To Avoid The Big Mistakes Executing An Options Order
08 Jan 2018
Contributed by Lukas
Show notes: http://optionalpha.com/show115 As with many things in life the 80/20 principle can help guide and focus our attention on the most importa...
114: Managing Inverted Option Positions - Once Difficult, Now Easy
01 Jan 2018
Contributed by Lukas
Show notes: http://optionalpha.com/show114Short straddles and short iron butterflies are some of our most profitable option strategies, and a consiste...
Free Options Trading From Robinhood: Our Exclusive Interview With Co-Founder Baiju Bhatt About The Future Of Online Trading
30 Dec 2017
Contributed by Lukas
Show notes: http://optionalpha.com/robinhoodOften times people ask me why I continue to run Option Alpha and give away so much free content, courses a...
113: Long Straddle Earnings Option Strategy Backtest Results
25 Dec 2017
Contributed by Lukas
Show notes: http://optionalpha.com/show113Often times when new traders go through their first couple earnings cycles and experience large moves in the...
112: Does Trading Every Day Really Make You A Day Trader?
18 Dec 2017
Contributed by Lukas
Show notes: http://optionalpha.com/show112Depending on where you started your options education, trade frequency was either glossed over or talked abo...
111: Should I Buy Back My Penny Options Or Let Them Expire Worthless?
09 Dec 2017
Contributed by Lukas
Show notes: http://optionalpha.com/show111You made an options trade and the position has gone well, leaving you with a nice fat profit as expiration a...
110: Become A Better Options Trader By NOT Watching The Market
21 Nov 2017
Contributed by Lukas
Show notes: http://optionalpha.com/show110Why do we still believe that magically someday we'll have some inside scoop or tip that alerts us to ma...
109: Say Good-Bye to Unlimited Risk Option Strategies Forever
07 Nov 2017
Contributed by Lukas
Show notes: http://optionalpha.com/show109Unlimited risk option strategies get a bad rap in the investing community among newbie traders. And while ou...
108: Rolling Up Strike Prices vs. Closing Out Trade - What Should I Do?
03 Nov 2017
Contributed by Lukas
Show notes: http://optionalpha.com/show108If you trade options longer than ten days you'll undoubtedly run into a scenario where you get challeng...
107: Interview w/ Option Alpha Member MACDDaddy & The "Wheel Selling" Options Strategy
10 Oct 2017
Contributed by Lukas
Show notes: http://optionalpha.com/show107Today I've very excited to bring one of our very own Option Alpha family members on the show, MACDDaddy...
106: TLT Short Stock Assignment Case Study - From Loser To $426 Profit
06 Oct 2017
Contributed by Lukas
Show notes: http://optionalpha.com/show106As some point or another new option traders worry about their option contracts being assigned. Namely short ...
105: How To Protect Your Portfolio In A Down Market
19 Sep 2017
Contributed by Lukas
Show notes: http://optionalpha.com/show105The further the markets continue to run higher, the greater the risk that another major market correction or...
104: How To Use Pairs Trading With Options To Create Smooth Portfolio Growth
15 Sep 2017
Contributed by Lukas
Show notes: http://optionalpha.com/show104On today's newest podcast I want to turn the conversation a bit and focus on pairs trading with options...
103: How to Pick the Right Stock Options Strategy For Wealth Building
02 Sep 2017
Contributed by Lukas
Show notes: http://optionalpha.com/show103Even after discussing and outlining the general process for how to pick the right stock options strategy in ...
102: Are You Selling Options That Are Way Too Cheap?
26 Aug 2017
Contributed by Lukas
Show notes: http://optionalpha.com/show102When selling options, often I get a question or inquiry from members of our community with regard to how far...
101: The Ultimate Guide To Profitably Trading Options Full-Time
02 Aug 2017
Contributed by Lukas
Show notes: http://optionalpha.com/show101I believe that on some level every new trader dreams of trading options full time and not working a regular ...
100: The Profit Matrix - The Game-Changing Report On The Best Option Strategies For Any Market
16 Jun 2017
Contributed by Lukas
Show notes: http://optionalpha.com/show100 Not only is today special because we're releasing our newest research report called The Profit Matrix...
99: Why Automated Trading Will Dominate The Investing World & What You Can Do Now To Prepare
14 Jun 2017
Contributed by Lukas
Show notes: http://optionalpha.com/show99The investing world in the next 5-10 years is going to look dramatically different. In fact, the shift to aut...
98: The End Of Uncertainty & How "Risk" Can Be Managed With Expectancy
10 Jun 2017
Contributed by Lukas
Show notes: http://optionalpha.com/show98The markets are evolving faster and faster as the introduction and use of computer-driven or data-driven trad...
97: Expected vs. Actual Win Rates When Selling Options [SPY Short Strangle Backtest]
08 Jun 2017
Contributed by Lukas
Show notes: http://optionalpha.com/show97Today we're going to use our new Trader's Toolbox and options backtesting software to test win rate...
96: Does Higher Implied Volatility Generate Higher Credits? [DIA Put Credit Spread Backtest]
07 Jun 2017
Contributed by Lukas
Show notes: http://optionalpha.com/show96Today we wanted to use our new options backtesting software under our Trader's Toolbox to run some credi...
95: Option Alpha's NEW "Toolbox" For Backtesting Option Strategies
01 Jun 2017
Contributed by Lukas
Show notes: http://optionalpha.com/show95It's finally here! After years of research, development, and testing the doors are open to purchase acce...
94: Which Option Strike Price Should I Select? [AAPL Call Bull Spread Backtest]
29 May 2017
Contributed by Lukas
Show notes: http://optionalpha.com/show94Apple (AAPL) is by far one of the most loved and favorite stocks to trade for investors. Often times people w...
93: Options Trading Timelines & Duration [EEM Straddle Backtest]
27 May 2017
Contributed by Lukas
Show notes: http://optionalpha.com/show93How far out should you go when entering a new options trade? 10 days, 30 days, 60 days? Does it change based ...
92: Position Sizing Impact On Returns [TLT Iron Condor Backtest]
25 May 2017
Contributed by Lukas
Show notes: http://optionalpha.com/show92I've said it for years, position sizing matters in a high probability system. Much more so that you woul...
91: Options Backtesting, Investment Research & The Future of Option Alpha
19 May 2017
Contributed by Lukas
Show notes: http://optionalpha.com/show91 In today's show, I wanted to take a step back and give everyone an overview of what we've been wo...
90: The Art & Options Strategy Behind Quick "Earnings Trades"
24 Apr 2017
Contributed by Lukas
Show notes: http://optionalpha.com/show90 We're now in the heart of earnings season for the current quarter and with hundreds of companies set t...
89: Are Your Current Technical Analysis Indicators Slowly Destroying Your Portfolio?
17 Apr 2017
Contributed by Lukas
Show notes: http://optionalpha.com/show89It's been over a year since we released our game-changing report on technical analysis indicators called...
88: Is High Probability Option Trading The Holy Grail Of Investing?
10 Apr 2017
Contributed by Lukas
Show notes: http://optionalpha.com/show88Newbie traders and investors who make the transition over from stocks to options often become overly confiden...
87: The 3 Option Adjustment Principles You Must Know Now
20 Mar 2017
Contributed by Lukas
Show notes: http://optionalpha.com/show87Losing trades are part of the game - they are going to happen and it’s a reality we must all face. And I be...
86: Changing Options Strategies When Trading Inverse ETFs
13 Mar 2017
Contributed by Lukas
Show notes: http://optionalpha.com/show86Trading inverse ETFs and leveraged ETFs are becoming more and more popular with retail traders. Maybe it’s ...
85: Legging Into Spread Trades And Out Of Trades - Is It Ever Worth It?
11 Mar 2017
Contributed by Lukas
Show notes: http://optionalpha.com/show85Legging into spread trades and complex option strategies is a popular way for traders to get quicker fills. H...
84: Why We Ladder Or Stack Option Trades Over Time & Price
25 Feb 2017
Contributed by Lukas
Show notes: http://optionalpha.com/show84For years we’ve talked about the need for increasing your trading frequency. In today’s podcast, we want ...
83: The Casinos Edge & Why They Spent $45 Every Hour To Keep You In Your Seat
13 Feb 2017
Contributed by Lukas
Show notes: http://optionalpha.com/show83A casino's edge ranges from 0.5% for blackjack to as high as 17% for some slot machine games. Now, of co...
82: [Case Study] How We Cut The Loss On This Bear Call Credit Spread By 37%
06 Feb 2017
Contributed by Lukas
Show notes: http://optionalpha.com/show82We can't control the stock market - yet many of you try to will or hope stocks to move up or down as nee...
81: Why More Fundamental Investors Should Trade Options & The Netflix Effect
30 Jan 2017
Contributed by Lukas
Show notes: http://optionalpha.com/show81Fundamental investors are like the wooly mammoth; big, strong, powerful, yet destined to become extinct in th...
80: The 3 Big Reasons Why Your Option Strategy Payoff Diagram Is Different Today Than At Expiration
23 Jan 2017
Contributed by Lukas
Show notes: http://optionalpha.com/show80Your option strategy payoff diagram is an ever evolving and changing animal. Unlike stocks which have one-dim...
79: How To Trade Calendar Spreads – The Complete Guide
16 Jan 2017
Contributed by Lukas
Show notes: http://optionalpha.com/show79Today's podcast is all about learning how to trade calendar spreads. And while newbie traders might find...
78: Is Your Investment Portfolio Unbalanced? 4 Ways To Fix It & Get Back To Neutral
09 Jan 2017
Contributed by Lukas
Show notes: http://optionalpha.com/show78I know one of the key elements to successful options trading long-term is maintaining an investment portfolio...
77: Scared Of Being Assigned During Options Expiration Week? Here's The #1 Reason To Stop Worrying
04 Jan 2017
Contributed by Lukas
Show notes: http://optionalpha.com/show77Options expiration week can be a scary time for some traders as they struggle with fears about short option c...
76: Options Trading Education - The Importance Of Setting Deadlines & Goals
26 Dec 2016
Contributed by Lukas
Show notes: http://optionalpha.com/show76Our #1 core value here at Option Alpha is that options trading education comes first before anything else. I ...
75: Portfolio Drawdown Stats From 44,801 Backtested Option Strategies
20 Dec 2016
Contributed by Lukas
Show notes: http://optionalpha.com/show75I've been trading publicly on Option Alpha for more than eight years now, and I'm still baffled by ...
74: How To Trade Straddles & Strangles In Small Brokerage Accounts
17 Dec 2016
Contributed by Lukas
Show notes: http://optionalpha.com/show74Most newbie option investors start trading with small brokerage accounts. Whether by choice or necessity, the...
73: We Examined 8 Short Strangles For Returns & Margin Requirements
05 Dec 2016
Contributed by Lukas
Show notes: http://optionalpha.com/show73What does great pricing look like when trading short strangles? Is it collecting a certain raw dollar amount?...
72: Options Trade Adjustment - How To Unemotionally Adjust Trades That Don't Go Your Way
28 Nov 2016
Contributed by Lukas
Show notes: http://optionalpha.com/show72You've entered a new option trade with a high probability of success - but you also know that a 70% chan...
71: The 2 Major Misconceptions About Exiting Option Trades Early
21 Nov 2016
Contributed by Lukas
Show notes: http://optionalpha.com/show71For years now I've talked about the concept of exiting option trades early and taking money off the ta...
70: How To Manage Trades During Options Expiration Week - Close Or Roll?
14 Nov 2016
Contributed by Lukas
Show notes: http://optionalpha.com/show70We’ve reached yet another options expiration week, which can sometimes cause many traders to freak out as t...
69: Is Your Options Strategy Scalable? 3 Tips for Growing A 6-Figure Trading Account
07 Nov 2016
Contributed by Lukas
Show notes: http://optionalpha.com/show69 Regardless of your current account size or trading experience level, you should be putting some serious tho...
68: VIX Index - How To Trade Volatility w/ Mark Sebastian from OptionPit.com
31 Oct 2016
Contributed by Lukas
Show notes: http://optionalpha.com/show68Naturally, if you’ve started trading options for any reasonable amount of time you’ll run across the VIX ...
67: The Stop Loss Myth - 10 Backtested Option Strategies Prove They Create More Losing Trades
24 Oct 2016
Contributed by Lukas
Show notes: http://optionalpha.com/show67In most investing or online trading circles, it's common place to hear people tout the need for "st...
66: The Drawbacks Of Paper Trading - Why You've Got To Have Skin In The Game
17 Oct 2016
Contributed by Lukas
Show notes: http://optionalpha.com/show66Paper trading has its place in the investing world, but it likely isn't as useful as many brokers and fi...
65: Interview w/ Todd Tresidder From FinancialMentor.com
10 Oct 2016
Contributed by Lukas
Show notes: http://optionalpha.com/show65If you're even remotely interested in personal finance or wealth building, you've likely heard of T...
64: The 15 1/2 "Avoidable” Options Trading Mistakes You're Making Right Now
03 Oct 2016
Contributed by Lukas
Show notes: http://optionalpha.com/show64Nobody’s a perfect trader - not by any stretch. We all make mistakes, and when we own up to them, we dramat...
63: Track Option Strategy Performance With These 27 Indexes From The CBOE
26 Sep 2016
Contributed by Lukas
Show notes: http://optionalpha.com/show63A little over a year ago now the CBOE released its first round of options-based strategy performance benchmar...
62: Dividend Stocks - Can You Buy Stock Just For The Dividend?
19 Sep 2016
Contributed by Lukas
Show notes: http://optionalpha.com/show62At least 2-3 times per week I’ll get an email from someone along these lines; “Kirk, why can’t we just ...
61: Interview w/ Cameron Skinner - How He Earns 22% Annually Selling Options Every Day
12 Sep 2016
Contributed by Lukas
Show notes: http://optionalpha.com/show61I’m just going to come right out and say it - today’s show is going to blow your mind. Not because we are...
60: Warren Buffett's $5 Billion Dollar Options Trading Strategy That Everyone Ignores
05 Sep 2016
Contributed by Lukas
Show notes: http://optionalpha.com/show60 What if I told you that Warren Buffett, yes that one, is actually just an options trader in disguise? Actua...
59: Short Strangle Case Study - Adjustment Strategy That Slashed Our Loss By 87%
29 Aug 2016
Contributed by Lukas
Show notes: http://optionalpha.com/show59It's easy for traders, myself included, to talk about our profitable trades. I mean who doesn't wan...
58: Find The Best Stocks For Options Trading With 4 Clicks
22 Aug 2016
Contributed by Lukas
Show notes: http://optionalpha.com/show58One of the most challenging aspects of options trading for most people is in finding the best stocks and setu...
57: Learn How To Trade Options w/ Option Alpha's NEW Course Tracks
15 Aug 2016
Contributed by Lukas
Show notes: http://optionalpha.com/show57We already know that you want to learn how to trade options and generate a consistent income. What we didn’...
56: Top 7 Tips When Trading Options In An IRA Account
08 Aug 2016
Contributed by Lukas
Show notes: http://optionalpha.com/show56With more than 32k option traders in our program now, I can tell you honestly that I've seen just as man...
55: Hedging Strategies - Balancing Your Stock or Options Portfolio
01 Aug 2016
Contributed by Lukas
Show notes: http://optionalpha.com/show55Market neutral, delta neutral, or balanced portfolio; call it what you want but the concept of making money r...
54: Can Using Portfolio Margin Enhance Your Returns?
25 Jul 2016
Contributed by Lukas
Show notes: http://optionalpha.com/show54If you’re an experienced options trader, then today’s show is for you because this week we’ll be talkin...
53: The 1 Hour Per Month Options Strategy That Beat The S&P 500 by 24%
21 Jul 2016
Contributed by Lukas
Show notes: http://optionalpha.com/show53What if there was an options strategy that took just 1 hour per month to implement and actually beat the S&am...
52: Robo Advisors - Why Automated Investing Is NOT The Wave of The Future
08 Jul 2016
Contributed by Lukas
Show notes: http://optionalpha.com/show52Doesn't it just sound so cool even saying it: Robo Advisors. And although some of these automated invest...
51: Single Positions vs. Overall Portfolio Management - Which Is More Important?
27 Jun 2016
Contributed by Lukas
Show notes: http://optionalpha.com/show51You're in a trade that's going bad and are thinking about adjusting your position. But before you d...
50: Is The Stock Market Random Or Predictable? The Final Debate On Efficient Markets
20 Jun 2016
Contributed by Lukas
Show Notes: http://optionalpha.com/show50One of the foundational elements of my personal trading style with options is the belief that the stock marke...
49: How To Profit From The Next Stock Market Crash - 15 Backtested Put Option Strategies
13 Jun 2016
Contributed by Lukas
Show notes: http://optionalpha.com/show49 Do you think that there will be a stock market crash soon? Maybe in the next six months to 1 year?If you ar...
48: Options Approval Levels Tips - How to Quickly Work Your Way Up The 4 Different Levels
06 Jun 2016
Contributed by Lukas
Show notes: http://optionalpha.com/show48 Options approval levels are options trading restrictions placed on your brokerage account to prevent or all...
47: Options Trading Risk Management & The Indisputable Math Behind Optimal Position Sizing
30 May 2016
Contributed by Lukas
Show notes: http://optionalpha.com/show47One of the key elements of becoming a more successful trader is the ability to absolutely master options trad...