kowski06

If you put a combo in your quote panel (use "Add to Quote Panel" button" in the combo tab) Once it's in the quote panel you can right click on the combo, select Analytical Tools which will let you do an alert

I don't see anything either. quotes were there first thing, but then went away. I even tried logging off and back on, but still no quotes

Kim, what is the plan for this one? Can you detail out how you would analyze this one as it sits right now - step by step, to determine if it needs to be adjusted, closed, what expectations are etc.? thanks

got filled at .30 cents

to get streaming go to account management home > Trade > Configuration > Market Data Subscriptions. I believe you you select US Bundle you will get the streaming. (the fee is waived if you spend $30.00 in commission each month) If you go into the user guide and search under "Subscriptions" it will give you more details. I am not sure about you other questions, though

When I switch to IB I tried web trader for a few days. I had problems with it, it seamed to freeze up on me, and also wouldn't update prices. Other technical issues with it. I didn't really like it much. Based on what a lot of others on SO have recommended I started using TWS Advanced Order (not Mosaic). It took a little while to get used to it, but it's not too bad once you figure it out.

Hi Kim, First, just wanted to say that I really like this forum and think it is well worth while. I have been learning a lot, and have been reading suggested books and articles as much as I can. Just as back ground, I had no experience with options prior to joining SO, so I really have started at the bottom of the learning curve, but have learned things every day. So my comment in regards to the getting fills etc is coming from the fact that I know I still have a lot to learn which makes me more hesitant on picking an entry price unless I am 100% sure of what price you're looking at. I switched to IB like a lot of others have recently, and I have been able to get better fills, but I think where I still have questions is sometimes it's not as clear what you consider a good price, at least for those of us (like me) who are at the lower end of the learning curve. NTAP I missed today because I was not 100% sure of the price you were looking for since you were still backtesting. At least for me, when you indicated "The August 33 straddle trading around 3.00 implying 9.0% move, with IV around 72%. Seems not expensive. I will do some more backtesting and might be looking to enter today or tomorrow," this wasn't definitive enough for me to place a limit order yet, since you were doing more backtesting, and also because the phrase "seems not expensive" doesn't always mean you go for that current price, sometimes it changes after the backtesting. And sometimes in the initial discussion you indicate "seems expensive" but then after backtesting you go with that price. (I don't mean this to sound like I'm complaining or criticizing what you have been doing, just that due to still learning, I am sometimes left w/ some doubt as to what price you may go for in the end) What is more helpful for me to feel comfortable putting in a limit order prior to your alert is something like CREE where you said "Okay, did some backtesting. If I can get the weekly straddle at or under 2.40 which implies 10% move, it should be a good deal." or ESRX where you said, "Seems not expensive. Backtesting shows decent results. Ideally, I would prefer to get it below 2.80." These two I did place limit orders prior to your alert because I felt there was a little more guidance for them. Maybe it would be helpful for those of us still learning and/or working if there was always a quick follow up post after the backtesting is complete indicating if the initial good price still stands, or if you have a new price in mind based on the backtesting. Thanks!

ok, thanks again !

dwilliams, you posted instructions earlier today about how to close a combo in Option Trader. I followed your instructions and have a question to add. If I am wanting to close a position, I cleared chains, then loaded my chain, then clicked on the Bid to sell the Call and Bid to sell the Put. My question is, after doing this, when I look in the pending orders, it shows in blue as "BUY" even though I am wanting to sell to close the position. Am I doing something wrong, or is that how it is suppose to work?

OK, thanks! I will spend my time learning the Advanced

for those using TWS are you using the Mosaic view or the Advanced Order Management? I opened an IB account a couple weeks ago and am working on learning it. Which of these is best to learn in the long run?

What is a double calendar spread?

Thank you so much for the process of placing trades you posted. Point # 7 explaining the vega/theta ratio etc is especially helpful. That is where I was getting myself so confused. I will use this information to go back and work my way back through the trades again. I know I can't learn all this over night, but I was feeling overwhelmmed, and your clarification has definitely helped! I have one follow up question concerning checking the historical IV increase. Is there an approx % spike/increase you typically look for when you go into optionistics? Thanks again!

I was wondering if you could break down in a more step by step way how you use the Greeks to determine your trade. I get the over all concept, and have read what the basic definitions for each Greek is, but I am feeling completely lost when it comes to trying to apply that to a specific trade. I am using a virtual trading account right now while I learn, and I placed virtual trades for your current earnings plays for JOY and for CIEN. I placed my order based on your prices, but I am having a hard time wrapping my head around how you decided exactly when to buy, and how you figure out your breakeven point based on the IV and how all the various Greeks play into it. Would it be possible to give a step by step for one of these indicating your thought process and the "Why" behind it all? thanks