Our mission is to empower individuals to take control of their financial destinies.
Since our start in 2010, we’ve been driven by a deep-rooted conviction that financial freedom is not a distant dream but an achievable reality for everyone.
We’ve created free tutorials on just about every possible option topic. If you think there is anything missing, drop us a line and we’ll cover any subject matter you want to learn about.
ABOUT OUR FOUNDER
Gavin McMaster – Option Trading Mentor
Gavin is a self-taught option trader with 19 years experience. He has a masters in Applied Finance and Investment and has mentored thousands of option traders over the last 13 years.
To him, there’s no greater feeling in the world than teaching somebody and watching the light bulb switch on when they have that ‘aha, I get it now!’ moment.”
In addition to running Options Trading IQ, Gavin does consulting in the hedge fund industry.
He specializes in income trading using options, has a very conservative approach and believes patience in waiting for the best setups is the key to successful trading.
HOW CAN WE HELP?
Trading is hard work. Anyone who tells you otherwise is spouting BS. You will have many ups and downs, and we would consider it a privilege to help you on that journey.
We wish you good trading and every success.
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Options Trading 101 - The Ultimate Beginners Guide To Options
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Options Trading 101 - The Ultimate Beginners Guide To Options
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Hi, I signed up and that video is still not available to me? Anyway, look forward to see what’s coming. I’m enjoying your blog.
Do you use DELTA figures on your RUT trades on the sold legs? I use a -.08 on the SOLD PUTS and a +.12 on the SOLD CALLS as we are biased long as I write this, Sept 1, 2012. Thanks! Dave ([email protected])
Hi Dave, yes I do incorporate the deltas of the short legs into my process.
You should join Stocktwits.com instead of just using twitter. Huge difference!
Hi there
Very keen to subscribe to your newsletter if possible?
I am a weekly options trader ( newby) and wondered if you focus only on monthlies in your training etc
Does you’re alerts subscription give weekly trades or just monthly ?
Good job for writing. Book! Will definetly read it as soon as I can access it on Amazon
Kind regards
Chris
Just surfed onto your website.
It is just great…thanks for your contributions.
Is a free download of your “Bull Put Spread Calculator” still available?
Hi Ronald, yes I just sent it to you via email.
Gavin i just started trying to learn about options lam only doing this about 3 weeks now,and like you saidit is not easy but iam determined I see you sent Ronald a free download of your bull Put Spread calculator if you think it could help me in my learning or what ever else i can learn i apprreciate it thank you. [email protected]
Hi Paul, welcome to the wonderful world of options trading. I’ll send you an email.
May I please request one too
We’ve sent it to you.
Also interested in bull put spread calculator. Thank you so much.
Just sent to you.
Hi,
Enjoyed your books.
But, many of your spreadsheets (.xlt format) are corrupt when I download them, or at least OpenOffice thinks they are.
Could you send me via email the BullPutSpeadCalculator sheet?
Thanks!
to: Gavin McMaster
On https://optionstradingiq.com/adjusting-iron-condors/ you describe 6 scenarios.
Why not put stops on the sold options to be triggered by the underlying security?
Some broker platforms allow such contingent orders.
Hi Don,
Yes you can do that as a fail safe, but it does have issues, some of which are discussed here:
https://optionstradingiq.com/are-you-shark-bait/
Another example of a potential problem. What happens if you get stopped out of the shorts, only for the market to immediately rebound the other way? You will get killed on your remaining longs.
Fantastic, I really appreciate your approach to options.
I lost too much money over the years with the buy and hold mentality.
finally took control of my own finances instead of trusting a financial planner.
I will never go back.
Looking forward to learning about your approach.
Make yours a profitable day.
How do I sign up for your services?
Hi Charlie, I’m not running anything at the moment, but I will be doing a group mentoring course later this year. If you have signed up for my newsletter you will be notified.
Hi Gavin,
Where is the best screener to find optimal bull put spreads, on a risk/reward basis? I’ve tried using the scan function on ThinkorSwim, but it doesn’t let you screen for open interest. Thanks!
HI GAVIN,
Great website.
I’m starting my journey towards professional trader. I’ve given myself 10 years to master the “challenge”.I’m committed. Deeply committed, believe me.
I’m “learning/bootcamping/reading/tradeshowing” around the clock to grasp the world
of finacial markets yet i’m not a rookie in the financial world.
I have a question for you. Why option trader as a choice in your case? Did you try FOREX, Equities long/short, Futures…? If not/yes, what was your motive ?
Would you do the same choice today? After many years of experience?
Kind regards
Tom Lamena
Hi Tom,
Love your enthusiasm my man! Given your attitude, I have no doubt you will make a success of it.
Options always appealed to me due to their huge amount of flexibility. You can trade directionally, neutral, short-term, long-term, volatility, income strategies. The possibilities are almost endless. I would definitely stick with options if I had my time over again.
Enjoy the journey, keep in touch.
Gav.
Hi Gavin,
I’ve the gut feeling you are a cool, reliable guy.
I will keep in touch with you.
Take care
Tom
I’m not sure about cool, I’m a bit of a nerd really. 🙂 Definitely reliable though.
Hi Gavin,
Please put me on your email list for options trading. Thanks. Have a great day!
Bob Penzien
San Francisco Bay Area
Consider it done Bob. Nice part of the world you live in.
Hi Gavin,
Put me on your newsletter list please. Looks like you Iron Condor course just arrived in my mail box. Will start my education now!
Thank you,
Awesome Mark! What a great way to start 2017. Let me know if you have any questions, I’m here to help!
Hi Gavin: Couple quick questions.
1) I’ve seened your material on ‘Double Diagonals”. How do they differ than ‘Double Calenders’ in application? I’m assuming they are not ‘interchangeable’ strategies. And which strategy is more appropiate for trading Earnings?
2) Also, what are your fav ‘go to’ option strategies u rely on frequently? Thanks
Hi Theo:
1. They are fairly similar. For Diagonals the option you are buying is further out-of-the-money whereas a calendar uses the same strike price. You wouldn’t want to have a double calendar and double diagonal open on the same stock at the same time. To be honest, I don’t like trading earnings so I can’t answer the second part of your question.
2. I have 6 core strategies in 2 groups – Short-term Trading strategies – Condors, Trapdoors, Bearish Butterflies, Weekly Diagonals and Strangles. Long-Term – The Wheel
Gavin, do you the Bull Put spread calculator available to send to me? This is great! I plan starting your courses this weekend. Thanks so much!
Hi Richard, I sent it to you yesterday, did you not get it?
Hi Gavin, I’ve tried to buy your books on Amazon (eg. Iron Condors Butterfly Spreads), but the website notifies “This title is not currently available for purchase”. Is it something to do with the location I am living in (Singapore), or your books are no longer available for sale? Thank you.
I’ll email them to you.
Hello Guys
I have a question for you which options strategy: Delta Hedging or Straddle is less riskier and why
Hi Garvin,
Just came across your site. Very hard to find options traders in Oz.
I’ve been trading on Commsec for about 3 years and have limited success, but really enjoy the process.
I know they have high commissions and they don’t display the greeks on their standard platform. I dont use IRESS even though i get it for zero cost because of the number of trades I do.
Have learnt a lot from the Tastytrade site, i think Tom Sosnoff is a legend.
Funny how most people think it’s crazy when you tell them you trade options for a living.
Glad to find someone out there trying (in Oz) to educate others in this fascinating field. I love it..
It can be painful at times. Wish I’d realized the benefits years ago.
Regards
lowtec1
Good to hear from you lowtec1. I would get off Commsec if I were you, check out Interactive Brokers:
https://optionstradingiq.com/interactive-brokers-tws-tutorial/
https://optionstradingiq.com/interactive-brokers-risk-navigator-tutorial/
its the year of 2020, IBKR – TWS has changed and updated
Can you show us an example of how to enter the position below using IBKR Option?
Shorting CVNA MKT. 164.64. using verticals; Short strike 45 Jan 21st, 2021 Put – Long Strike 115 Jan 21, 2021 Put.
Actually the IB user interface hasn’t really changed in the 10+ years I’ve been using them See below for how to enter a bear put spread.
Hi Gavin
I am reading several of your books (Iron Condors, Volatility) and it appears that several of the links within are broken. I would like some information on some of your trading classes, along with the calculators and sample trading journal referenced in the books. Is the website down to register for these items? I have also recently seen some articles you have written on IBD.
Hi Tony,
Sorry about that. Those books were written many years ago so some of the links may have changed. Here are the tools and resources:
https://optionstradingiq.com/free-tools/
https://optionstradingiq.com/getting-started-with-options-trading-iq-2/
I have a new class starting next month, you can register your interest here:
https://optionstradingiq.com/coaching/
And feel free to email me with any questions. [email protected]
Gavin
I am a newbe and just started options trading in 2021.
Just came across your website and I could not stop reading. Kindly add my email to your newsletter and any other alerts you send out. Great work.
Is there any company that is trustworthy that would send out option alerts every week?
Thanks for the kind words and I will add you to the list. I don’t like following trade alerts so don’t want to make any recommendations, sorry.
Well, I’m really astonished with what I’ve seen here. I mean, I couldn’t imagine that a so talented and proficient individual is helping others in this way, to overcome theirs financial ignorance (I’m talking about me here), so they can have at least a dignified life, precisely nowadays when the breach between economic classes area skyrocketing.
I just have a couple of days here and all I have to say is: THANKS Gavin!
God bless
Haha, thanks Aldo. Very kind.
I’ve been reading on and off about options for a while, but it hasn’t clicked (yet). Decided to make 2021 the year of understanding and trading options. Where do I start and what services do you offer?
Thanks in advance
Dan
Great to have you here Dan. I sent you an email, not sure if you got it?
Hi.
I just stumble upon on you site.
I am new to options trading
Very interesting content.I like it alot.
please let me know how become subscriber.Thanks alot sharing you knowledge.
Exellent work.
Ben
Hi Ben, thanks for the kind words. I’ll be running a course in June/July, so I’ll send you an email closer that time.
Hi could you please add me to your mailing list and send info on your coaching? I have been investing for years and just started trading options about 2 months ago. Thank you.
I see you’re on the list already, so all good.
Hi Gavin
I started trading options earlier this year. I am still learning different strategies. I’m using the wheel right now with weekly options and ran into issues. My stock selection process was too aggressive. I was listening to option trainers who I suspect now, do not actually trade options at all. I went out to Amazon and ordered some of your books. I need to learn more about spreads, condors and butterflies. I found your 0 DTE SPX Option strategy and I am definitely interested in learning more and paper trading it.
How does your course/coaching work? I would really like to be able to do this but I am in the US Eastern time zone. Is it pre-recorded content? I’m afraid live coaching is going to be impossible given our different time zones.
Hi Paul, I’m running a one-month course starting in late-June. There will be 4 live webinars as part of the course and they will be at 8pm Eastern time, so hopefully that works for you.
Hi Gavin. Just happened to surf onto your website. Actually saw a reference to optionstraderiq in Barron’s. Just loved the content and your philosophy.
Please put me on your email list. I sense you are not just another financial jerk who dishes out “advice” aka BS.
Also, do you know of a stock screener tool which allows you to program custom requirements? As an example, I would like to find all stocks which satisfy the equation: Strike Price – (Stock Price + Call Premium) <= 1
Thank you. Look forward to reading all your tutorials and recommendations.
Thanks Atul, and welcome to OTIQ. Unfortunately I’m not aware of any scanners like that.
I’m investing in Shares via Self Wealth and recently started looking at options trading. Which platform do you recommend trading options in Australia? From your other articles it seems you are using Interactive brokers. I have registered my interest for the options training. Do you have pricing details some where your website?
Interactive Brokers is probably the best if you’re looking to trade US options. I’ll send you an email about the training.
Gavin,
Would you speak about your experience with mentoring with Dan Sheridan?
He was good, but that was years ago now so not sure what it’s like now.
Gavin,
Can you sign me up for your news letter. I’ve been trading options for about 6 months now and had the worst teacher! (Myself) I should of used the 30K and bought a month worth of 1 on 1 coaching!! In good spirits and know one day the light will turn on!!
Added you just now. Don’t be discouraged, this stuff takes time. I don’t really do one-on-one coaching any more, but you can email me any time if you have questions.
Gavin.
How do I sign-up for the newsletter? Thanks
You’re on the list George, so I guess you figured it out. 🙂
1) How do I sign up for the newsletter ?
2) What coaching services do you provide? Is it a classroom session ? One-on-one ?
3) And what is the cost of (2) above ?
If you’re on my email list, you’ll receive details in due course.
If it is still available , I would like to receive your Bull Put Calculator.
Thanks
Just sent it to you.
Hi Gavin,
I’m not smart like you. And I don’t have 20 years experience to add insult to injury . I stay within my pay grade and do excellent at what I’m really good at. I saw an article of yours $290 max loss if Disney didn’t go down to 85 this summer. Potential win $700+
I have no idea how to buy this, trade this, sell this etc. Would you do it for me? Or do you have a company that you personally use that would do it for me? I’m in Dallas, TX USA
Appreciate your sharing of your expertise
Please reply to my email as I may not see your reply here.
Hi Carmen,
Thanks for reaching out. Unfortunately, I don’t trade for anyone else, but I know of a company in Dallas who might help you. I’ll email you their details.
Hi Gavin –
Thank you for provide this space.
I have a covered call currently sitting in deep ITM. It supposed to due on July but I rolled it to Aug.
Right now I just waiting the contract to be expired and get called away. I understand I will make profit with the premium and $3 spread of the upside.
I wonder if there is another way to get out prior expired so I can move on with my money.
Appreciate your advice.
Hi Dave, not a whole lot you can do but wait.
Hi Gavin, Is it possible to showcase an option buying strategy, preferably scalping.
Wow, your Options Trading 101: The Ultimate Beginners Guide to Options was spot on what I needed to teach my wife. There are so, so many scammers and purveyors of false or misleading information that I thought I’d just write my own for her. She’s loving it and it has made our life much easier as she tackles that freshman learning curve. I see people have asked for your calculator, may I have it for her as well? What caught our attention is the picture of your family in this thread. We, too, are a family of four. My oldest just turned 6 (love my Little Man!). Anyway, if you have a way I can donate to your cause for this or buy courses for her or even help you out in some way (a decade of trading experience, former successful business owner, and former managing editor, now full-time trader and dad) please let me know. My wife is an audio/video engineer if that may be of help as well. And thank you so much for this!
Thanks Darth, I always love getting messages like this. Here are some free resources including the cash secured put calculator. Was that the one you wanted?
https://optionstradingiq.com/twitter-giveaway/
Hey Gavin
i wana learn Option trading through gradually learning the procedures and rules. But i have not enough money to buy your course . Hence cant pay u .therefore impart me some basic knowledge so that i may make some money thereafter i will purchase ur course
Hey David, this is a great place to start, there are over 1,000 articles. Search for a topic that you are interested in and go from there. Reach out any time with questions.
https://optionstradingiq.com/option-education/