Options Boot Camp

On this episode, Mark and Dan talk about: DeepSeek and its impact on the markets, What strategies Dan uses the most to trade, The fake ticker XYZ becoming an actual ticker for Block, Dan's typical holding period for straddles, Whether Dan will short straddles, and much more. Brought to you by tastytrade.

Options Boot Camp listeners get a special sneak preview of the latest addition to the Options Insider Pro platform - the much-anticipated return of Options Oddities.  Interested in the latest crazy options activity in AMC, Ford, DLTR and much more? Listen to Options Oddities then check out www.TheOptionsInsider.com/shop. 

It's finally here! The first ever Options Insider Pro Q and A Session. This is where our Pro members have the chance to pick the brains of leading options and derivatives experts. We kicked things off with the "Oracle of New Hampshire" himself: Matt Amberson, Founder: Options Research and Technology Services.  Matt answers your questions about: The proper way to structure your options trades When to close/roll your covered calls The most effective, and cheapest, ways to protect your gains using options.  How to incorporate skew data into your options trading.  The best ways to trade options on MEME stocks.  The optimal way to trade options on VIX.  When to trade calendar spreads.  Iron Condors vs. Iron Butterflies vs. Diagonals.  And much more... Want to participate in future Pro Q and A Sessions? Then check out www.TheOptionsInsider.com/shop today. 

In this episode of Options Boot Camp, your drill instructors Mark Longo and Dan Passarelli dive back into the trenches to tackle a recurring nightmare for retail traders: why "perfect" vertical spreads sometimes result in losses. Following up on a "horror story" from a previous episode involving Marvell (MRV), the team breaks down the mechanics of spread books, broker liquidations, and the hidden risks of trading around major events. In This Episode, You'll Learn: The Marvell Meltdown: A deep dive into a listener's trade where a winning call vertical on MRV resulted in a loss due to after-hours volatility and broker liquidation. The Reality of Vertical Spreads: Why the P&L diagram is only half the story. We discuss why vertical spreads often perform worse than expected prior to expiration and the role theta plays in the final payoff. Legging vs. Spread Orders: When should you attempt to "leg out" of a spread? Dan and Mark discuss the risks of delta exposure when breaking apart a vertical in a fast-moving market. Broker Routing & PFOF: How Payment for Order Flow and specific broker "spread books" (like Robinhood's) can impact your execution quality, especially in illiquid names. Market Maker Psychology: What determines the width of a bid-ask spread? Dan explains how volatility risk and liquidity determine the "toll" you pay to enter and exit a trade. Mail Call: The team answers listener questions about avoiding spreads during earnings and the rise of prediction markets (binary betting). Chapters & Key Moments: 00:00 – Introduction and The Quintuple Content Palooza 03:15 – Follow-up: The Marvell Vertical Spread Disaster 07:45 – The pros and cons of "Legging" out of a trade 12:20 – Tips for dealing with unresponsive brokers during liquidations 16:30 – Market Taker Question: What drives the Bid-Ask Spread? 21:10 – Prediction Markets: Is it a trade or a bet? 25:40 – Silver and Crypto: The Question of the Week Special thanks to our sponsor: TastyTrade.com/podcasts

In this episode of Options Boot Camp, hosts Mark Longo and Dan Passarelli (Market Taker Mentoring) dive deep into the mechanics of the Wheel Strategy—one of the most popular frameworks for generating consistent options income. Whether you are selling cash-secured puts or managing covered calls, the "Wheel" is a powerful tool for any trader's playbook, but what happens when the market moves against you? Mark and Dan break down the specific scenarios traders face when a trade goes south, offering a masterclass in position management and cost basis reduction. Key Topics Covered in This Episode: Managing Losing Trades: What to do when your initial put sale goes in-the-money. Stock Repair Strategies: How to use the "Repair Manual" to recover from underwater positions without adding more capital. Averaging Down vs. Rolling: The pros and cons of lowering your entry price in a declining market. The Importance of Objectives: Why a clear "exit plan" is the most critical part of the Wheel Strategy. Advanced Covered Calls: Strategic strikes for when you've been assigned the underlying stock.

In this vital Options Bootcamp episode, host Mark Longo from The Options Insider provides an in-depth tutorial on butterfly spread strategies alongside guest Brian Overby from OptionsPlaybook.com. They explore both traditional and advanced butterfly strategies—including the Open Wing Butterfly (often known as a Broken Wing Butterfly) and the Intrinsic Value Butterfly—explaining their practical options trading applications and defined risk/reward benefits. This is essential options trading education for neutral, low-volatility markets. Additionally, they address a listener's puzzling options scenario involving Marvell ($MRVL) stock and offer clear resolution strategies for similar trading challenges, emphasizing proper broker interaction and order management.

In this episode of Options Boot Camp, hosted by Mark Longo (The Options Insider) and Dan Passarelli (Market Taker Mentoring), the discussion covers a variety of topics ranging from the importance of implied volatility and the concept of IV crush, to the future of premium selling in zero-day options, and the growing trend of prediction markets. The hosts also tackle listener questions about trading strategies and market behavior, debate the classification of cranberry sauce as a side dish or topping, and share humorous anecdotes.

This episode of Options Boot Camp delves deeply into various aspects of binary options trading. The hosts discuss the pros and cons of different types of binary contracts, including $1 to $100 and penny to $1 variations, and explore complications like last-minute fluctuations and liquidity issues. Listeners' questions are addressed, covering topics such as arbitrage opportunities for retail traders and the differences between single-strike and multi-strike binaries. The show also highlights the importance of exiting positions before expiration to avoid unpredictable last-minute price swings.  HOST: Mark Longo, The Options Insider CO-HOST: Dan Passarelli, Market Taker Mentoring

HOST: Mark Longo, The Options Insider Radio Network CO-HOST: Dan Passarelli, Market Taker Mentoring In this episode, Mark and Dan delve into the latest developments in the options trading market, with AI-generated insights on trends, margin changes, retail shifts, and the growth of extended trading hours. They discuss Cboe's launch of the 'Magnificent 10' index options, OCC's margin rule adjustments for zero-day options, and the increase in retail trading activity. The episode also covers the forthcoming CME and FanDuel collaboration to create a prediction market for sports events, exploring the implications of this new venture. Additionally, the hosts highlight the importance of managing options trading strategies during vacation times and addressing listener questions on trading risks and strategies.

HOST: Mark Longo, The Options Insider CO-HOST: Dan Passarelli, Market Taker Mentoring This episode provides an in-depth exploration of binary options and event contracts. The hosts discuss various platforms like Kalshi, ForecastEx, Polymarket, Nadex, and CME Group, comparing their models and fee structures. The episode highlights the recent rise in popularity of event contracts, differences between traditional and new binary markets, and unique offerings from platforms. They also touch on potential market manipulation concerns and the overlap between trading and gambling sectors.

HOST: Mark Longo, The Options Insider Media Group CO-HOST: Dan Passarelli, Market Taker Mentoring   In this episode, hosts Mark Longo and Dan Passarelli delve into the origin and history of binary options, exploring their initial launch with Head Street, subsequent rebranding under Nadex, and their evolution into more widely accessible and diversified financial products. They discuss the intuitive pricing of binary options, their appeal among retail investors, and the impacts of regulatory changes, especially the influence of the CFTC's rulings. The episode also touches on newer players in the event derivatives space like Kalshi, ForecastEx, and the CME Group's involvement. Additionally, Mark and Dan respond to listener questions about market trends, time spreads, and the recent VIX behavior. The show wraps up with an engaging discussion on the future of binary options and the growing interest from various market participants.  

HOST: Mark Longo, The Options Insider Radio Network CO-HOST: Dan Passarelli, Market Taker Mentoring   This episode covers listener questions about trading futures and the impact of recent Fed cuts on markets. Other topics include insights into fundamental vs. technical analysis, the lofty PE ratios of the S&P 500 and whether they signal market concerns, and a debate on whether we'll see more warrants issued after GameStop's recent move. The hosts also discuss their personal experiences and perspectives on trading futures and options.  

HOST: Mark Longo, The Options Insider Media Group CO-HOST: Dan Passarelli, Market Taker Mentoring GUEST: Russell Rhoads, Indiana University Kelley School of Business In this episode, Mark, Dan and Russell dive into the topic of financial warrants. They explain the differences and similarities between warrants and listed options, highlighting how warrants can be a tool for companies to raise capital through unique, often dilutive instruments. They discuss how warrants, though not commonly used in the U.S., came into recent focus due to GameStop's issuance of warrants. Russell shares detailed information on the market for these warrants, their exercise mechanics, and provides advice for holders. The episode aims to educate listeners on trading and handling warrants, an aspect of options that might be less familiar to many traders.  

Host: Mark Longo, The Options Insider Media Group Co-Host: Dan Passarelli, Market Taker Mentoring   In this episode of Options Bootcamp, our hosts discuss a range of topics, starting with an exploration of iron condors and their various applications. The show also delves into the intricacies of the options market structure, including the limitations of siloed spread books and potential improvements like more frequent open interest updates. Listener questions lead to a discussion on scaling trading strategies for larger accounts, the use of payment for order flow, and approaches to backtesting options strategies. The episode wraps up with light-hearted speculation about Dan's mysterious middle name. 00:00 Introduction and Welcome 04:00 Listener Mail Call 06:51 Iron Condors and Trading Strategies 13:41 Crypto Trading and Market Structure 24:56 Concluding Thoughts and Farewell

Host: Mark Longo, The Options Insider Radio Network Co-Host: Dan Passarelli, Market Taker Mentoring   In this episode, Mark Longo and Dan Passarelli delve into various topics revolving around options trading. They primarily discuss the recent changes to the pattern day trading rules by FINRA, which could potentially lower the $25,000 threshold to a more flexible intraday margin rule. They also reflect on the performance of gold in comparison to the VIX as a gauge of market sentiment amidst fluctuating market conditions. Additionally, the hosts touch on the upcoming earnings season, sharing insights on expected company performances and the volatility trends observed.       

In this episode, hosts Mark Longo and Dan Passarelli dive into a mix of educational and entertaining topics. Dan shares spooky season thoughts and discusses the scariest options strategies and moments in his trading career. Listener questions cover topics like the best fear gauge between gold and VIX, the appropriateness of corporate earnings cycles, hedging long positions, and the possibility of a future episode on collars. They also entertain a uniquely intriguing question about foods associated with options trading, tying in Chicago's rich culinary culture.    01:08 Welcome to Options Bootcamp 04:59 Listener Mail Call 06:51 Market Sentiment and Fear Gauges 17:25 Scariest Option Strategies 22:48 Terrifying Trading Moments 26:11 Unexpected Financial Surprises 28:06 Food and Trading: An Unusual Connection 31:38 Listener Questions: Collars and More 39:15 Conclusion

In this episode of Options Bootcamp, Mark Longo and Dan Passarelli break down the different types of chooser options including European, American, Bermuda, asymmetric, forward start, compound, and even rainbow chooser options. They discuss the use cases for each type, such as in pharmaceuticals, commodity hedging, and trading around significant financial events. Finally, the hosts take listener questions and share career advice for aspiring professional traders.    00:39 Welcome to Options Bootcamp 04:43 Introduction to Exotic Options 05:27 Understanding Chooser Options 08:34 European Style Chooser Options 11:36 American Style Chooser Options 12:59 Bermuda Style Chooser Options 15:09 Asymmetric Chooser Options 16:44 Forward Start Chooser Options 17:48 Compound Chooser Options 18:02 Indecisive Chooser Options 19:22 The Rainbow Option Explained 21:22 Real-World Use Cases for Rainbow Options 24:03 Lookback Chooser Options 26:05 Listener Questions and Poll Results 27:51 Debate on Earnings Season Frequency 31:35 Becoming a Professional Trader 34:11 Conclusion 

In this episode, hosts Mark Longo and Dan Passarelli discuss different options strategies such as covered calls, cash secured puts, and the wheel strategy. They also touch on the growing interest in exotic options and the role of flex options in recent volume spikes. Other topics include the importance of technical indicators for covered calls, the role of various options exchanges, and the potential for gamified options trading education. Additionally, they address listener questions ranging from the uniqueness of the options market to the practicality of using specific brokers and discussing their personal experiences in trading.   00:39 Welcome to Options Boot Camp 01:00 Tasty Trade Platform Overview 03:41 Pro Trading Crate Giveaway 07:12 Mail Call: Listener Questions 08:02 Market Reactions to Fed Announcements 11:30 Options Trading Polls and Insights 16:13 Fantasy Football and Trading 18:15 Question of the Week 22:22 Best Indicator for Covered Calls 23:58 Exotic Options Discussion 25:51 Options Trading Video Games 30:19 Favorite Option Strategies 33:02 Choosing the Right Exchange 36:22 Volume and Market Noise 40:28 Conclusion and Final Thoughts  

In this episode, hosts Mark Longo and Dan Passarelli dive into the world of Asian options, a type of exotic option. They explain how these options differ from standard "vanilla" options by basing their payoff on the average price of an underlying asset over a specific period, rather than its price at a single expiration date. The hosts break down the two main types: fixed-strike and average-strike options, providing clear examples of how their payoffs are calculated. They also discuss the historical origins of the name "Asian options" in the Singaporean commodity markets. The episode highlights the primary use case for these options: reducing volatility and hedging against wild price swings, making them particularly useful for industries like commodities, energy, and foreign exchange. The show also includes the popular "Mail Call" segment, where the hosts answer a listener's question about options flow and market volume statistics for August. Time Stamps [0:00] Intro and episode overview [2:50] Introduction to Exotic Options [4:05] What are Asian Options? [7:00] Average-Strike Asian Options [10:15] Fixed-Strike Asian Options [14:00] Use Cases for Asian Options [17:30] Mail Call: The hosts open the mailbag to answer a listener question about options flow and market volume in Q3. [29:00] Final Thoughts and Conclusion

Join your hosts, Mark Longo and Dan Passarelli as they dive deep into the world of exotic options, tackling questions about their name, their role in the 2008 financial crisis, and whether they're just a marketing gimmick. They also tackle more fundamental questions on scaling into a trade and the practicality of making all options cash-settled. The episode concludes with a forward-looking discussion on how algorithmic and AI trading are reshaping the options market.     Timestamps [00:00:00] - Intro & Sponsor [00:07:00] - What Are Exotic Options? [00:10:00] - Exotic Options & The 2008 Crash [00:15:00] - Scaling into a Trade [00:20:00] - Cash-Settled Options [00:25:00] - Open Interest Updates [00:30:00] - The Rise of Algo & AI Trading [00:35:00] - Outro