Trading Master ClassIntroduction to Options Trading
Options trading is one of the most flexible and powerful tools in the financial markets. Unlike stocks, where you simply buy and sell ownership of a company, options are derivative contracts that give you the right, but not the obligation, to buy or sell an underlying asset at a predetermined price within a specified time frame.
The beauty of options lies in their strategic possibilities — they allow traders to make money in rising, falling, or even sideways markets, often with less capital than buying stocks outright. But with that flexibility comes complexity, so understanding strategies is crucial.
Key Terms in Options Trading
Before we jump into strategies, let’s understand the key terms:
Call Option – Gives the right to buy the underlying asset at a fixed price (strike price) before expiry.
Put Option – Gives the right to sell the underlying asset at a fixed price before expiry.
Strike Price – The price at which you can buy/sell the asset.
Premium – The price you pay to buy an option.
Expiry Date – The date the option contract ends.
ITM (In-the-Money) – When exercising the option would be profitable.
ATM (At-the-Money) – Strike price is close to the current market price.
OTM (Out-of-the-Money) – Option has no intrinsic value yet.
Lot Size – Minimum number of shares/contracts per option.
Intrinsic Value – The real value if exercised now.
Time Value – Extra premium based on time left to expiry.
Harmonic Patterns
Learn Institutional TradingIntroduction to Options Trading
Options trading is one of the most flexible and powerful tools in the financial markets. Unlike stocks, where you simply buy and sell ownership of a company, options are derivative contracts that give you the right, but not the obligation, to buy or sell an underlying asset at a predetermined price within a specified time frame.
The beauty of options lies in their strategic possibilities — they allow traders to make money in rising, falling, or even sideways markets, often with less capital than buying stocks outright. But with that flexibility comes complexity, so understanding strategies is crucial.
Key Terms in Options Trading
Before we jump into strategies, let’s understand the key terms:
Call Option – Gives the right to buy the underlying asset at a fixed price (strike price) before expiry.
Put Option – Gives the right to sell the underlying asset at a fixed price before expiry.
Strike Price – The price at which you can buy/sell the asset.
Premium – The price you pay to buy an option.
Expiry Date – The date the option contract ends.
ITM (In-the-Money) – When exercising the option would be profitable.
ATM (At-the-Money) – Strike price is close to the current market price.
OTM (Out-of-the-Money) – Option has no intrinsic value yet.
Lot Size – Minimum number of shares/contracts per option.
Intrinsic Value – The real value if exercised now.
Time Value – Extra premium based on time left to expiry.
Part 4 Learn Institutional TradingProtective Put
When to Use: To insure against downside.
Setup: Own stock + Buy put option.
Risk: Premium paid.
Reward: Stock can rise, but downside is protected.
Example: Own TCS at ₹3,000, buy 2,900 PE for ₹50.
Bull Call Spread
When to Use: Expect moderate rise.
Setup: Buy lower strike call + Sell higher strike call.
Risk: Limited.
Reward: Limited.
Example: Buy 20,000 CE @ ₹100, Sell 20,200 CE @ ₹50.
Bear Put Spread
When to Use: Expect moderate fall.
Setup: Buy higher strike put + Sell lower strike put.
Risk: Limited.
Reward: Limited.
Part 3 Learn Institutional TradingDirectional Strategies
These are for traders with a clear market view.
Long Call (Bullish)
When to Use: Expecting significant upward movement.
Setup: Buy a call option.
Risk: Limited to premium paid.
Reward: Unlimited.
Example: NIFTY at 20,000, you buy 20,100 CE for ₹100 premium. If NIFTY closes at 20,500, your profit = ₹400 - ₹100 = ₹300.
Long Put (Bearish)
When to Use: Expecting price drop.
Setup: Buy a put option.
Risk: Limited to premium.
Reward: Large if the asset falls.
Example: Stock at ₹500, buy 480 PE for ₹10. If stock drops to ₹450, profit = ₹30 - ₹10 = ₹20.
Covered Call (Mildly Bullish)
When to Use: Own the stock but expect limited upside.
Setup: Hold stock + Sell call option.
Risk: Stock downside risk.
Reward: Premium income + stock gains until strike price.
Example: Own Reliance at ₹2,500, sell 2,600 CE for ₹20 premium.
Part 1 Ride The Big MovesIntroduction to Options Trading
Options trading is one of the most flexible and powerful tools in the financial markets. Unlike stocks, where you simply buy and sell ownership of a company, options are derivative contracts that give you the right, but not the obligation, to buy or sell an underlying asset at a predetermined price within a specified time frame.
The beauty of options lies in their strategic possibilities — they allow traders to make money in rising, falling, or even sideways markets, often with less capital than buying stocks outright. But with that flexibility comes complexity, so understanding strategies is crucial.
Key Terms in Options Trading
Before we jump into strategies, let’s understand the key terms:
Call Option – Gives the right to buy the underlying asset at a fixed price (strike price) before expiry.
Put Option – Gives the right to sell the underlying asset at a fixed price before expiry.
Strike Price – The price at which you can buy/sell the asset.
Premium – The price you pay to buy an option.
Expiry Date – The date the option contract ends.
ITM (In-the-Money) – When exercising the option would be profitable.
ATM (At-the-Money) – Strike price is close to the current market price.
OTM (Out-of-the-Money) – Option has no intrinsic value yet.
Lot Size – Minimum number of shares/contracts per option.
Intrinsic Value – The real value if exercised now.
Time Value – Extra premium based on time left to expiry.
Part 2 Support and ResistanceIntroduction to Options Trading
Options trading is one of the most flexible and powerful tools in the financial markets. Unlike stocks, where you simply buy and sell ownership of a company, options are derivative contracts that give you the right, but not the obligation, to buy or sell an underlying asset at a predetermined price within a specified time frame.
The beauty of options lies in their strategic possibilities — they allow traders to make money in rising, falling, or even sideways markets, often with less capital than buying stocks outright. But with that flexibility comes complexity, so understanding strategies is crucial.
Key Terms in Options Trading
Before we jump into strategies, let’s understand the key terms:
Call Option – Gives the right to buy the underlying asset at a fixed price (strike price) before expiry.
Put Option – Gives the right to sell the underlying asset at a fixed price before expiry.
Strike Price – The price at which you can buy/sell the asset.
Premium – The price you pay to buy an option.
Expiry Date – The date the option contract ends.
ITM (In-the-Money) – When exercising the option would be profitable.
ATM (At-the-Money) – Strike price is close to the current market price.
OTM (Out-of-the-Money) – Option has no intrinsic value yet.
Lot Size – Minimum number of shares/contracts per option
Support and ResistancePsychological Factors
Options trading is mentally challenging:
Overconfidence after a win can cause big losses.
Patience is key — many setups fail if entered too early.
Emotional control matters more than strategy.
Pro Tips for Successful Options Trading
Master 2-3 strategies before trying complex ones.
Use paper trading to practice.
Keep an eye on Option Chain data — OI buildup can hint at support/resistance.
Avoid holding long options to expiry unless sure — time decay will hurt.
Final Thoughts
Options trading is like a Swiss Army knife — powerful but dangerous if misused. With the right strategy, discipline, and risk management, traders can profit in any market condition. Whether you’re buying a simple call or building a complex Iron Condor, always remember: the market rewards preparation and patience.
Option Trading Practical Trading Examples
Let’s take a real-world India market scenario:
Event: Union Budget Day
High volatility expected.
Strategy: Buy Straddle (ATM CE + ATM PE).
Result: If NIFTY jumps or crashes by 300 points, profits can be significant.
Event: Stock Result Announcement (Infosys)
Medium move expected.
Strategy: Strangle (slightly OTM CE + OTM PE).
Result: Lower cost, profitable if stock moves big.
Risk Management in Options Trading
Options can wipe out capital quickly if used recklessly.
Follow these rules:
Never risk more than 2% of capital per trade.
Avoid over-leveraging — options give leverage, don’t overuse it.
Use stop-losses.
Avoid buying far OTM options unless speculating small amounts.
Track implied volatility — don’t overpay in high-IV environments.
Part 3 Learn Institutional TradingNon-Directional Strategies
Used when you expect low or high volatility but no clear trend.
Straddle
When to Use: Expecting big move either way.
Setup: Buy call + Buy put (same strike, same expiry).
Risk: High premium cost.
Reward: Large if price moves sharply.
Strangle
When to Use: Expect big move but want lower cost.
Setup: Buy OTM call + Buy OTM put.
Risk: Lower premium but needs bigger move to profit.
Iron Condor
When to Use: Expect sideways movement.
Setup: Sell OTM call + Buy higher OTM call, Sell OTM put + Buy lower OTM put.
Risk: Limited.
Reward: Premium income.
Part 1 Master Candlesticks PatternDirectional Strategies
These are for traders with a clear market view.
Long Call (Bullish)
When to Use: Expecting significant upward movement.
Setup: Buy a call option.
Risk: Limited to premium paid.
Reward: Unlimited.
Example: NIFTY at 20,000, you buy 20,100 CE for ₹100 premium. If NIFTY closes at 20,500, your profit = ₹400 - ₹100 = ₹300.
Long Put (Bearish)
When to Use: Expecting price drop.
Setup: Buy a put option.
Risk: Limited to premium.
Reward: Large if the asset falls.
Example: Stock at ₹500, buy 480 PE for ₹10. If stock drops to ₹450, profit = ₹30 - ₹10 = ₹20.
Covered Call (Mildly Bullish)
When to Use: Own the stock but expect limited upside.
Setup: Hold stock + Sell call option.
Risk: Stock downside risk.
Reward: Premium income + stock gains until strike price.
Example: Own Reliance at ₹2,500, sell 2,600 CE for ₹20 premium.
Part 2 Master Candlesticks PatternHow Options Work in Trading
Imagine a stock is trading at ₹1,000.
You believe it will rise to ₹1,100 in a month. You could:
Buy the stock: You need ₹1,000 per share.
Buy a call option: You pay a small premium (say ₹50) for the right to buy at ₹1,000 later.
If the stock rises to ₹1,100:
Stock profit = ₹100
Call option profit = ₹100 (intrinsic value) - ₹50 (premium) = ₹50 net profit (but with much lower capital).
This leverage makes options attractive but also risky — if the stock doesn’t rise, your premium is lost.
Categories of Options Strategies
Options strategies can be divided into three main categories:
Directional Strategies – Profit from price movements.
Non-Directional (Neutral) Strategies – Profit from sideways markets.
Hedging Strategies – Protect existing positions.
Part 12 Trading Master ClassCommon Mistakes to Avoid
Holding OTM options too close to expiry hoping for a miracle.
Selling naked calls without understanding unlimited risk.
Over-leveraging with too many contracts.
Ignoring commissions and slippage.
Not adjusting positions when market changes.
Practical Tips for Success
Backtest strategies on historical data.
Start with paper trading before using real money.
Track your trades in a journal.
Combine technical analysis with options knowledge.
Trade liquid options with tight bid-ask spreads.
Part 8 Trading Master ClassCommon Mistakes to Avoid
Holding OTM options too close to expiry hoping for a miracle.
Selling naked calls without understanding unlimited risk.
Over-leveraging with too many contracts.
Ignoring commissions and slippage.
Not adjusting positions when market changes.
Practical Tips for Success
Backtest strategies on historical data.
Start with paper trading before using real money.
Track your trades in a journal.
Combine technical analysis with options knowledge.
Trade liquid options with tight bid-ask spreads.
Part7 Trading Master ClassOption Chain Key Terms
Let’s go deep into each term one by one.
Strike Price
The predetermined price at which you can buy (Call) or sell (Put) the underlying asset if you exercise the option.
Every expiry has multiple strike prices — some above the current market price, some below.
Example:
If NIFTY is at 19,500:
19,500 Strike → ATM (At The Money)
19,600 Strike → OTM (Out of The Money) Call, ITM (In The Money) Put
19,400 Strike → ITM Call, OTM Put
Expiry Date
The last trading day for the option. After this date, the contract expires worthless if not exercised.
In India:
Index options (like NIFTY, BANKNIFTY) → Weekly expiries + Monthly expiries
Stock options → Monthly expiries
3.3 Call Option (CE)
Gives you the right (not obligation) to buy the underlying at the strike price.
Traders buy calls when they expect the price to rise.
3.4 Put Option (PE)
Gives you the right (not obligation) to sell the underlying at the strike price.
Traders buy puts when they expect the price to fall.
Part11 Trading Master ClassOption Chain Key Terms
Let’s go deep into each term one by one.
Strike Price
The predetermined price at which you can buy (Call) or sell (Put) the underlying asset if you exercise the option.
Every expiry has multiple strike prices — some above the current market price, some below.
Example:
If NIFTY is at 19,500:
19,500 Strike → ATM (At The Money)
19,600 Strike → OTM (Out of The Money) Call, ITM (In The Money) Put
19,400 Strike → ITM Call, OTM Put
Expiry Date
The last trading day for the option. After this date, the contract expires worthless if not exercised.
In India:
Index options (like NIFTY, BANKNIFTY) → Weekly expiries + Monthly expiries
Stock options → Monthly expiries
Call Option (CE)
Gives you the right (not obligation) to buy the underlying at the strike price.
Traders buy calls when they expect the price to rise.
Put Option (PE)
Gives you the right (not obligation) to sell the underlying at the strike price.
Traders buy puts when they expect the price to fall.
Part7 Trading Master ClassPractical Tips for Success
Backtest strategies on historical data.
Start with paper trading before using real money.
Track your trades in a journal.
Combine technical analysis with options knowledge.
Trade liquid options with tight bid-ask spreads.
Final Thoughts
Options are like a Swiss Army knife in trading — versatile, powerful, and potentially dangerous if misused. The right strategy depends on:
Market view (up, down, sideways, volatile, stable)
Risk tolerance
Timeframe
Experience level
By starting with basic strategies like covered calls or protective puts, then moving into spreads, straddles, and condors, you can build a strong foundation. With practice, risk management, and discipline, options trading can be a valuable tool in your investment journey.
Part2 Ride The Big Moves Intermediate Options Strategies
Bull Call Spread
When to Use: Expect moderate price rise.
How It Works: Buy a call at a lower strike, sell a call at higher strike.
Risk: Limited to net premium paid.
Reward: Limited to strike difference minus premium.
Example: Buy call at ₹100 (₹5), sell call at ₹110 (₹2). Net cost ₹3. Max profit ₹7.
Bear Put Spread
When to Use: Expect moderate decline.
How It Works: Buy put at higher strike, sell put at lower strike.
Risk: Limited to net premium paid.
Reward: Limited but cheaper than buying a single put.
Example: Buy put ₹105 (₹6), sell put ₹95 (₹3). Net cost ₹3. Max profit ₹7.
Part9 Trading Master Class Why Traders Use Options
Options aren’t just for speculation — they have multiple uses:
Speculation – Betting on price moves.
Hedging – Protecting an existing investment from loss.
Income Generation – Selling options for premium income.
Risk Management – Limiting losses through defined-risk trades.
Basic Options Strategies (Beginner Level)
Buying Calls
When to Use: You expect the price to go up.
How It Works: You buy a call option to lock in a lower purchase price.
Risk: Limited to the premium paid.
Reward: Unlimited upside.
Example: Stock at ₹100, buy a call at ₹105 strike for ₹3 premium. If stock rises to ₹120, your profit = ₹12 – ₹3 = ₹9 per share.
Part4 Institutional TradingRisk Management in Strategies
Never sell naked calls unless fully hedged.
Position size to avoid overexposure.
Use stop-loss or delta hedging.
Monitor implied volatility — don’t sell cheap, don’t buy expensive.
12. Strategy Selection Framework
Market View: Bullish, Bearish, Neutral, Volatile?
Volatility Level: High IV (sell premium), Low IV (buy premium).
Capital & Risk Tolerance: Large capital allows complex spreads.
Time Frame: Short-term events vs. long-term trends.
Common Mistakes to Avoid
Trading without an exit plan.
Ignoring liquidity (wide bid-ask spreads hurt).
Selling options without understanding margin.
Overtrading during high emotions.
Not adjusting when market changes.
Advanced Adjustments
Rolling: Extend expiry or change strike to adapt.
Scaling: Enter gradually to average costs.
Delta Hedging: Neutralize directional risk dynamically.
Part9 Trading MasterclassCategories of Options Strategies
Directional Strategies – Profit from a clear bullish or bearish bias.
Neutral Strategies – Profit from time decay or volatility drops.
Volatility-Based Strategies – Profit from big moves or volatility increases.
Hedging Strategies – Reduce risk on existing positions.
Directional Strategies
Bullish Strategies
These make money when the underlying price rises.
Long Call
Setup: Buy 1 Call
When to Use: Expect sharp upside.
Risk: Limited to premium paid.
Reward: Unlimited.
Example: Nifty at 22,000, buy 22,200 Call for ₹150. If Nifty rises to 22,500, option might be worth ₹300+, doubling your investment.
Bull Call Spread
Setup: Buy 1 ITM/ATM Call + Sell 1 higher strike Call.
Purpose: Lower cost vs. long call.
Risk: Limited to net premium paid.
Reward: Limited to difference between strikes minus premium.
Example: Buy 22,000 Call for ₹200, Sell 22,500 Call for ₹80 → Net cost ₹120. Max profit ₹380 (if Nifty at or above 22,500).
Bull Put Spread (Credit Spread)
Setup: Sell 1 higher strike Put + Buy 1 lower strike Put.
Purpose: Earn premium in bullish to neutral markets.
Risk: Limited to spread width minus premium.
Example: Sell 22,000 Put ₹200, Buy 21,800 Put ₹100 → Credit ₹100.
Part8 Trading MasterclassIntroduction to Options Trading Strategies
Options are like the “Swiss army knife” of the financial markets — flexible tools that can be shaped to fit bullish, bearish, neutral, or volatile market views. They’re contracts that give you the right, but not the obligation, to buy or sell an asset at a specific price (strike) on or before a certain date (expiry).
While most beginners think options are just for making huge leveraged bets, seasoned traders use strategies — combinations of buying and selling calls and puts — to control risk, generate income, or hedge portfolios.
Why Use Strategies Instead of Simple Buy/Sell?
Risk Management: You can cap your losses while keeping upside potential.
Income Generation: Strategies like covered calls and credit spreads generate consistent cash flow.
Direction Neutrality: You can profit even when the market moves sideways.
Volatility Play: You can design trades to profit from expected volatility spikes or drops.
Hedging: Protect stock holdings against adverse moves.
Part3 Learn Instituitional Trading Option Trading in India (NSE)
Popular Instruments:
Nifty 50 Options
Bank Nifty Options
Stock Options (like Reliance, HDFC Bank, Infosys)
FINNIFTY, MIDCPNIFTY
Lot Sizes:
Each option contract has a fixed lot size. For example, Nifty has a lot size of 50.
Margins:
If you buy options, you pay only the premium. But selling options requires high margins (due to unlimited risk).
Risks in Options Trading
While options are powerful, they carry specific risks:
1. Time Decay (Theta)
OTM options lose value fast as expiry nears.
2. Volatility Crush
A sudden drop in volatility (like post-earnings) can cause option premiums to collapse.
3. Illiquidity
Some stock options may have low volumes, making them harder to exit.
4. Assignment Risk
If you’ve sold options, especially ITM, you may be assigned early (in American-style options).
5. Unlimited Loss for Sellers
Option writers (sellers) face potentially unlimited loss (especially naked calls or puts).
Part7 Trading MasterclassThe Greeks: Measuring Risk
Options prices are sensitive to many factors. The "Greeks" are key metrics to assess these risks.
1. Delta
Measures the change in option price with respect to the underlying asset’s price.
Call delta ranges from 0 to 1.
Put delta ranges from -1 to 0.
2. Gamma
Measures the rate of change of delta. Important for managing large price swings.
3. Theta
Measures time decay. As expiry approaches, the option loses value (especially OTM options).
4. Vega
Measures sensitivity to volatility. Higher volatility = higher premium.
5. Rho
Measures sensitivity to interest rate changes.
Options Expiry & Settlement
In Indian markets (like NSE), stock options are European-style, meaning they can only be exercised on the expiration date. Index options are cash-settled.
Options expire on the last Thursday of every month (weekly options on Thursday each week). After expiry, worthless options are removed from your account.