lc_match-aka-Bill

Adios, but try this: http://finance.yahoo.com/news/reversal-stock-market-volatility-ahead-192315794.html

Heh! Reverse split in VXX coming again. http://eon.businesswire.com/news/eon/20131025005924/en/iPath%C2%AE/S%26P-500/VIX

Or put it this way, nobody knows more about failure than I do.

Yeah, I'm waiting for 2008 again. I know that Hans. Thank you.

'Lazy and brainless' simply because the strategies of the 16 put spread for a 0.50 credit or more in low volatility, the 17 call spread for 0.50 or less in flat/backwardation (for the VIX) and buying 3-months out puts on a 10% VXX spike simply require no anlaysis, adjustments, nor much of a worry. For myself, I end up away from the keyboard at key times and always seem to get creamed because of that. These trades are robust and predictable, as much as anything I've seen in options. If anyone has a more robust trade I'm all ears.

I dunno. I bought puts on the first 10% vxx spike last week, added full positions the next 3 days. Yesterday everything was down big time. After today all positions are up 8% or more. It's lazy and brainless and commission-efficient. I like that. I'll probably close them tomorrow morning, travelling today. Another guy I follow is 'lazy-trader'. It works. I know, VIX could stay high for 3 months. Always some risk, and I'll take that risk. Better than a RUT calendar with RVX at 25.

VXX has spiked 9% in the last week. I have initiated 1/3 a VXX Jan put position.

Glad you understood I meant VIX.

The Nov/Dec futures prices have flattened recently, and the Nov/Dec 17 call calendar is quoted 0.50-0.60. We've played this before with the idea that the call calendars usually go for $1.00 or more. Any opinions on whether this is a good deal?

Wow! I didn't know you were looking at Sept/Oct....I was looking at Oct/Nov...it's nice to have some room to run.

Thanks for editing the decimal point. Had to check my medication. I'll wait for better. 0.40 is my threshold for a third of a position. Bought lots of VXX puts when it was 16-17, liquidating in stages as profits go above 8%.

They're most likely going to lose one.

Somehow I sold 2 verticals today after reading the 6 pages of IB stuff on the Forum from last year and this. Sold 1 using a positive limit, got the market; sold 1 using a negative limit, got the market. Lots of fun.

Depending on which buttons you push, you get different spread builders. Watching the webinar I learned to first, after opening the Options Trader to immediately customize and 'Add Remove Toolbar' option. That gives you a top row of buttons in which you can click on 'Option Spreads' which brings up the tool Marco posted. Then you can choose to Buy or Sell a vertical.

Thanks for your help. I'll get there. Apparently I'm in a different tool.