Turn what you know into an opportunity and reach millions around the world.

Your cart is empty.

Options Trading Basics (The Ultimate Beginners Bundle)

Options Trading - 1)Intro to Call and Put Options 2) Time decay, Implied Volatility, Greeks 3) Call and Puts Live trades

Created byHari Swaminathan

Last updated 5/2025

English

What you'll learn

Master the basic nuts and bolts of Options trading
Understand the theory and mathematics behind Options
What are the factors that affect Options pricing
How are Options different than Stocks
How you can use Options even if you invest in Stocks and create superior Combo strategies
Anyone interested in learning about Options trading
LIve trades using Thinkorswim platform
Art of adjusting Single Options strategies

Course content

6 sections • 47 lectures • 11h 14m total length

History of Options, Definitions of Options and a Call Option8:05
Options and Stocks have a very different risk and reward profile. This lecture addresses some of these differences. Please also view the supplementary video attached.
Introduction to Call Options6:27
Understanding Call Option details through a Real estate example6:36
Most beginners have a hard time understanding Options because they are introduced with too much jargon. This simple real estate example will make it absolutely etch the concept of a Call option in your mind forever.
What are In-The-Money (ITM), At-The-Money (ATM) and Out-of-The-Money (OTM) Options11:38
In any Option, there are three varieties - In-the-Money Options, At-the-Money Options and Out-of-the-money Options. The real estate example is extended to explain these concepts.
Buyer and Seller risk profiles, Risk Graphs, Seller advantages8:35
Risk Graphs are a critical component of all Options strategies. This is your starting point for understanding these critical tools.
Option screens, option chains, Expiry series and Call Option layout14:40
An Option chain and quote screen can be confusing to beginners. This lecture explains the screens in detail. This is the introduction to the Thinkorswim Options trading platform. Please also see the supplementary video on Option quotes and screens.
Choice of expiry series and ITM, ATM and OTM Options when looking at AAPL Options9:18
Real Apple (AAPL) Options are studied and the concepts of ATM, ITM and OTM Options that were discussed in the real estate example are clearly explained using AAPL Options.
Call Option performance in real-time and on the day of expiry7:38
When looking at the Profit and Loss diagram for any Options strategy, you must understand there are two components to this graph - The first is the "real-time" picture which is the line in white, and the second is the situation on the day of the expiry of the Option. This is the red line. It's critical to understand how the white line collapses onto the red line as we approach expiry.
Risk Graphs of ITM, ATM and OTM Options12:10
All three varieties of Options - ATM, ITM, and OTM Options are plotted on a risk graph for Apple (AAPL) Options.
Option Sellers risk profile9:35
An Option seller is very different from an Option buyer. The risk and reward profile is very different from each other. This is unlike the stock market where the buyer and seller have similar but opposite profiles. In the Options world, the buyer and seller have symmetrical, opposite and unequal risk and reward profiles.
A real-world example of Put Options - Buying Insurance18:25
Similar to the lecture on Call Options, Put Options are best explained with a real-world example. Fortunately, we have excellent examples of Put Options in real life - INSURANCE. When we buy insurance on our car or home, we're actually buying a Put Option. This is explained in simple language.
Introduction to Options Quiz
Put Options quotes and screens on a Trading platform8:01
Understanding the layout of a Put Option screen can be a bit challenging for newcomers. This lecture focuses on the layout for Put Options. If you're still confused after watching this lecture, this is normal. Watch how these Options move for a day or two and you'll figure it out.
More examples of Option Chain Parameters for Put Options11:40
The real-world Insurance example is extended to Apple (AAPL) Options on the Thinkorswim trading platform. ITM, ATM and OTM Options are explained in detail. There may be some repetitions, so please feel free to fast forward it.
Older example of AAPL Put Option sellers6:47
AAPL older example of Put Sellers.
Using Put Options spreads to limit risk8:44
This is a sneak peek into an advanced concept of Options spreads. If you're a seller of Options, you can control your risks and this lecture shows you how. It is normal if you don't fully understand this technique. Option spreads are covered in detail in a later course, but there is more to learn first.
Introduction to Options Quiz 2
CONCLUSION OF INTRODUCTION TO OPTIONS SECTION4:30

Explaining Time Decay in real-world examples of Real estate and Insurance42:48
Time decay is a pivotal component of Options trading. In fact, Time decay alone is responsible for over 60% of all advanced Options strategies. This is exciting stuff.
Time Decay Quiz
Explaining Implied Volatility in real-world examples of Real estate32:45
What is Implied Volatility ? What is Stock Volatility ? And why should we care about it - Implied Volatility is the "wildcard" in Options pricing. Ignore it and you will pay a price. Pay very close attention to the three lectures in this section.
Implied Volatility computation - How is Implied Volatility reflected in Option Prices5:56
If we don't know what the "future volatility" of the stock is going into the future, how can we calculate the price of Options now ? This lecture explains how Implied Volatility finds a back-door to manifest itself into Option prices every minute the markets are open for trading.
Implied Volatility in action - CAT and NFLX Options. Buyer / Seller implications12:03
If you ever had a doubt about the severe impact that Implied Volatility can have on Options prices, your questions are answered in this lecture.
Implied Volatility Quiz
Option Greeks primer31:14
What are Option Greeks anyway ? And why do we need to know them ? There are 3 pillars of Options trading. If you don't master any one of them, you're going to underperform. Option Greeks are the first pillar.
Option delta (The king of Greeks)18:54
Your Options position is always going to be most responsive to the movement of the stock itself. And Delta measures this sensitivity to price movement, and that's why its the King of the Greeks.
Option Gamma18:07
Price movement of the stock is so important for your Option price that we need a second Greek to measure this sensitivity. Gamma is the silent operator, the first derivative of Delta, and the second derivative of Price. After going through this lecture, if you're somewhat confused about how Gamma works, you might be comforted to know that it takes most people a year to understand Gamma. Fortunately, the effects of Gamma are small and become important only in one particular scenario. This is explained in detail.
Option Vega12:41
Vega is the all-important Greek that measures sensitivity to Implied Volatility. Never take your eyes off Vega in any Options strategy.
Option Theta13:46
Theta is the Option seller's dream - Theta is the time decay for every Option represented by a daily loss number. You can conjure up any number of exotic strategies with Theta. Theta is what makes Options come to life. This is by far the most exciting greek :)
Option Greeks quiz
CONCLUSION OF OPTIONS FOUNDATION PART OF BUNDLE7:08
This lecture is the conclusion of this course. You have now covered the theory behind Options. It's now time to get into live trading examples, where you'll realize that this theoretical knowledge is just the starting point. Thank you for taking this course. I'm attaching a copy of my Free E-book on the "Top 7 Options Trading mistakes" by Options traders. This e-book is a great read, and even though you may not grasp a few of these concepts, you'll know what to look forward to in the upcoming courses.

Long Calls (Buying Call Options). Live trade on CMG (Chipotle Mexican Grill)33:04
When do you buy a Call Option or a Put Option ? What are the considerations ? The most important criteria is of course your outlook for the stock. If you feel that the stock is going to go up (based on some analysis), you buy a Call Option, or if you feel the stock is going to go down, then you buy a Put Option. Where Options are different from Stocks is that you also need to have a timeframe for your outlook.
Short Call trade on GLD (Gold ETF)22:55
This is a Live Short Call trade on the Gold ETF (GLD)
Long Put trade idea and entry on FXE29:22
Why did we choose the FXE as our candidate for the Long Put ? And how did we do on trade entry ? And once the trade goes in our favor, how can we manage the trade to ride a winner nicely. The trade is absolutely "milked" for winnings. The trade lasts for about 25 days where we ride the winnings with sophisticated order management.
Short Puts (Selling Put Options) using GS (Goldman Sachs) as example20:41
Short Puts trade on Goldman Sachs, with not great Market timing.
Criteria for Long Options Quiz

Order types, Transaction costs, market Makers role etc35:21
The Options market is vastly different from the Stock market. It has different rules, different terminology and everything about it is different. In this lecture and next, these differences are explained in detail.
Bid-Ask spread, Expiry series, Exercise and assignment, Volume and Open Interest15:10
Has some extra info, but also has some repetitions, so please feel free to skip parts.
The four strategies BOX - Call and Put Options8:10
We have a total of four basic Options strategies - We have a Call and a Put and you can buy or sell each of them. These 4 strategies make up the basic Options strategies. Two of these strategies are bullish and two are bearish. And to confuse things more, one bullish strategy uses Calls and one uses Puts. To easily understand or remember this complexity, we've created a 4-strategies Box. Also included is a video on how Options can be a much more capital-efficient instrument than Stocks.
Pitfalls of Short Calls and Short Puts11:40
We've always mentioned that a seller's profile is different from a buyer's profile. The risks and rewards are different. In fact the risks are very high. In this lecture, you will become clear why the seller's profile is like that of the Insurance company - low rewards, high risks.
Four Strategy choices - 2 Bullish and 2 Bearish19:39
When dealing with Single Option strategies, we have 4 choices. You can go for a Long Call, Long Put, Short Call and Short Put. How do you choose between these strategies ? Bear in mind, once you consider all the factors, one of these strategies is going to be the ideal one for the outlook, and you must pick that one.
Strategy Case study - S&P 500 Index and GOOG, AAPL and PCLN8:42
Before entering a trade, there are several considerations - and one of the primary ones is the "trend" of the overall market. This case study analyzes the S&P 500 Index against a few major stocks like AAPL, GOOG and PCLN.
Strategy case study - Linkedin Trade idea8:34
Strategy Optimization is a case study on Linkedin (LNKD) - Which strategy is appropriate at this time for LNKD and why.
Strategy Case study - CAT Trade idea12:03
Similar case study on Caterpillar (CAT). The goal is to become better in identifying good trade ideas and good entries.

Philosophy of Adjustments9:39
Adjustments are the the third leg of Options trading which everyone must master. Adjustments are an art, and some of it will come only with experience in different situations. However, one can get a head start if you know what to look for and what to do.
Adjustments for Long Call positions15:03
Discussion of the types of adjustments you can make for a Long call position.
Adjustments for Short Calls, Long Puts and Short Put positions15:42
This lecture is a discussion of the kinds of adjustments you can make for the other 3 single Options.
Trade Management using sophisticated Conditional Orders19:19
Part of good trade management is the ability to protect your winnings. Trading platforms provide us with sophisticated tools to achieve this. This lecture shows you can protect your winnings in a nice trade.
Strategy and Adjustments Quiz

Using Options to buy Stock at much lower prices than what its currently trading for10:36
In this tactic, Put Options can be used effectively to buy stocks that you love at a price that you love even more. This is a very powerful strategy if you already invest into stocks, and you'd like to use Options to creatively buy your stocks.
Using Options to sell Stock at much higher prices than what its currently trading for7:29
This is the reverse of the earlier tactic. If you already have stocks that are profitable, you can sell that stock at prices that are much higher than what the stock is currently trading for.
Using Options to hedge Stock that you already own10:51
You've heard me say that Put Options are the ultimate protector of stock you own. You can see how this is true by taking a real example.
CONCLUSION OF BUYING AND SELLING CALL AND PUT OPTIONS5:22
This is the conclusion of this course. A sneak preview into the next course is provided.
BONUS LECTURE - DONT MISS !!7:10

Requirements

Some knowledge and experience with stock markets and trading or investing

Description

OPTIONS TRADING THREE COURSE BUNDLE - 10+ HOURS

This Options Trading Bundle is the ultimate Beginner's course on Options Trading, Options fundamentals and Concepts as well as Live Options trading examples. The first 3 Options Trading Strategies courses are combined to create this bundle. To master the basics of Options, you really need all three courses.

A brief synopsis of the options trading strategies courses are provided below.

LEARN CALL OPTIONS AND PUT OPTIONS, OPTIONS FOUNDATION - TIME DECAY, IMPLIED VOLATILITY, OPTION GREEKS BUYING CALL OPTIONS AND PUT OPTIONS - LIVE TRADES

SECTION I - Call Options

Most people learning Options for the first time face too much jargon and complex language. This options trading strategies course use real-world examples (buying a house) to explain how a Call Option (Section 1) works in real life. This example should make it absolutely clear what a Call Option is in step-by-step details.

SECTION II - Put Options.

The Put Option is the ultimate "protector" of your portfolio, and in this course you can learn how Put Options work. It is the exact opposite of a Call Option. Put Options increase in value when the value of a stock or index drops in price. We define what a Put Option, and just like we did in the Call Option, we consider a real-world example of a Put Option.

SECTION III - Stock and Options combo strategies

In this section, three creative strategies are outlined for Stock investors to combine Options into their portfolio strategies.

· Use Options to buy Stock at prices that are far lower than what the stock is currently trading for

· Use Options to sell Stock at prices that are far higher than what it is currently trading for

· Use Options to hedge a Stock position that you already own

SECTION IV - TIME DECAY

Time decay is a pivotal component of Options strategies. In fact, time decay alone is responsible for the majority of advanced option strategies. In this part of the options trading strategies course, we are going to study the concept in detail. Options are "wasting" assets, and they lose value every day. The buyer gets hurt from time decay and the seller benefits from it. And time decay becomes more exponential as we approach expiry of an Option. It is also the great equalizer between the profiles of a buyer and seller of Options. Time decay is the great equalizer in the risk / reward profiles of buyers and sellers of Options. Several intermediate and advanced strategies are based on selling premium (option sellers) and these positions make a profit due to time decay in the value of these options over a period of time.

SECTION V - IMPLIED VOLATILITY

Implied Volatility is the "wildcard" in Option prices. Ignore it, and you will pay a price. In fact, it's so important we have at least four different varieties - Volatility, Implied Volatility, Historical Volatility, and Future or Expected Volatility. We use the real-world examples to explain the concept of Volatility in simple terms. Then we study how Volatility is quantified in Stocks and Options. And how Volatility finds a back-door to embed itself into Option prices. Implied Volatility considerations are critical when choosing between a buyer and seller profile. We break this complex topic down into simple terms and show you an example of NFLX and CAT options that should make it absolutely clear what this is all about.

SECTION VI - OPTION GREEKS, DELTA, GAMMA, VEGA, THETA

If you're the pilot of an aircraft, the Greeks are your instrument panel. If you don't manage your instrument panel properly, well...you get the picture. Understanding the Greeks are absolutely critical to every Option position. We break this course into easy to understand chapters for all the four Greeks - Delta, the king of all Greeks. Gamma - the silent operator. Theta - every Option seller's dream. And Vega - Watch out for this one.. Most beginners to Options tend to ignore the Greeks. Master the Greeks and you'll shave off months of learning curve. Not to mention, you can then fly your aircraft on "auto-pilot" (with help from the Greeks).

SECTION VII - OPTIONS MARKET STRUCTURE

The Options market has a number of terms that we need to be aware of. Starting with terminology differences like "Long" and "Short", we look at all the details that go into the Options market. We explain the important processes like Exercise and Assignment, as well as things like Expiry series, Bid-Ask spreads, Brokerage and transaction costs and various other details. What is Open Interest and why is it important, and what is the role of a Market Maker. We study the different Order types and which ones are important for the average investor, and which ones make sense in different situations. We also discuss Regulation T Margin as it applies to Options as well as Portfolio margin.

SECTION VIII - BUY A CALL OPTION (CHIPOTLE MEXICAN GRILL)

Buying a Call Option is the most basic of all the Option strategies and is the most efficient strategy to optimize a bullish outlook on a stock. In this options trading strategies course, we take the example of Chipotle Mexican Grill (CMG) and show how the trade played out. We analyze the rationale behind entering the trade, the risk/reward profile, chart analysis and point of entry, choice of expiry and "moneyness" of the Option, time decay considerations, margin requirements, profit expectations, exit criteria, Greek analysis, its Profit and Loss profile and various other considerations. We provide a 360-degree analysis before trade entry. This is a real trade and over 15 days, and we navigate the trade to its exit point.

SECTION IX - BUYING A PUT OPTION (FXE EURO ETF)

Buying a Put Option serves two purposes - exploit a bearish move in the stock or be the ultimate protector of your stock. In this part of the course, we take the example of the Euro ETF (FXE) and show how the trade played out in about 25 days time. We analyze the rationale behind entering the trade, the risk/reward profile, chart analysis and point of entry, choice of expiry and "moneyness" of the Option, time decay considerations, margin requirements, profit expectations, exit criteria, Greek analysis, its Profit and Loss profile and various other considerations. We provide a 360-degree analysis before trade entry. We show you how to "let your winners run" in a controlled manner.

SECTION X - STRATEGY AND OPTIMIZATION

The Option strategy optimization course brings all the 4 Options strategies together. The 4 strategies are comprised of 2 bullish and 2 bearish strategies, but how and when should we choose a particular strategy over the other. We create a helpful "4 strategies box" to distinguish and connect one strategy to the other. Most importantly, what are all the considerations before we choose a strategy. Our choice of strategy depends not only on what the stock is currently doing, but also on various market externalities as well as a few key Option metrics like Implied Volatility. This course also provides a sneak peek into advanced Option topics like the VIX (Fear index"), trade simulation as well as trade adjustment parameters.

SECTION XII - SINGLE OPTION ADJUSTMENTS

This options trading strategies course studies the need for Option adjustments, and why adjustments are as critical to the success of your position as good entry or analysis. We consider all the four basic strategies - the Long Call, Short Call, Long Put, and the Short Put and look at various adjustments to these positions if they get into trouble. Every investor has a "pain point" - this is the point at which they adjust their position. Applying a rigorous approach to this pain point enables investors to control risk while maximizing the opportunity to profit. The course also discusses various details like early adjustments, over-adjusting and adjusting profitable trades as well as the importance of the investor's outlook for the stock when considering adjustments.

This bundle consists of Courses

Course I - Introduction to Options - Learn about Call Options and Put Options is a detailed step-by-step explanation of Options, Call Options and Put Options with theory and practical application with Apple (AAPL) Options

Course II - Options Foundation - Time Decay, Implied Volatility and Options Greeks will complete your theoretical understanding of Options.

Course III is Options strategies for Beginners - Buying Call Options and Put Options where we actually put live trades and manage them to their exit points.

Take this ultimate Options Trading Strategies course right now and learn options trading.

Who this course is for:

Anyone interested in learning about Options trading
A bundle deal that covers all the basics of Options for beginners

Options Trading Basics (The Ultimate Beginners Bundle)

What you'll learn

Explore related topics

Course content

Introduction to Call Options and Put Options, Buyer and Seller Perspectives16 lectures • 2hr 33min

Introduction to Time Decay, Implied Volatility and Option Greeks10 lectures • 3hr 15min

Buying / Selling Call and Put Options - Options beginner strategies4 lectures • 1hr 46min

Options Market Structure, Strategy Box and Case Studies8 lectures • 1hr 59min

Adjustments for Single Options4 lectures • 1hr

Using Stock and Options combo strategies for Stock investors5 lectures • 41min

Requirements

Description

Who this course is for: