Podcast
Options Boot Camp
Hosted by The Options Insider Radio Network · EN
Options Boot Camp is designed to help get you into peak options trading shape by teaching you options trading inside and out, basic to complex. Listeners can even submit their own options questions to be answered on the show.
15episodes
Episodes
Newest firstAll episodes
Options Boot Camp 392: Are Prediction Markets Too Expensive?
May 2700:42:11Tap to summarizeAre prediction markets like Kalshi and Polymarket a rip-off for retail traders? In this episode of Options Boot Camp, drill instructors Mark Longo and Dan Passarelli break down the exact math behind prediction market fees and compare them directly to equity options commissions. They tackle the biggest complaints about event contract fees, payment for order flow, and why wide bid-ask spreads might actually be a bigger problem than the commissions themselves. The mailbag is also packed with listener questions covering the vertical integration of crypto brokers buying exchanges, handling tech stock crashes while running the Wheel Strategy, the fear of automatic option exercise on expiration Friday, and managing short premium positions. 🔥 EXCLUSIVE LISTENER PROMO: Want a powerful trading platform built by option traders, for option traders? Head over to tastytrade.com/insider to check out the latest listener promotions, maximize your trading edge, and take advantage of elite technology, rates, and support designed to help you succeed!
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Options Boot Camp 391: Geopolitical Risk, Gamma Exposure and Your Deathmatch Wishlists
May 2000:39:07Tap to summarizeThis week on Options Boot Camp, Mark and Dan tackle one of the biggest questions facing traders right now: Are markets underpricing geopolitical risk? They dive into valuation concerns, global uncertainty, and what traders should really be watching. Plus, they explore whether gamma exposure metrics are becoming essential tools or just another overhyped signal. The mailbag is packed with listener questions on the wheel strategy, Bitcoin volatility, crypto options growth, pattern day trading concerns, and broker tools for tracking wheel trades. And yes… the listeners are already building their next Deathmatch wishlists. Plus, hear details on the current tastytrade listener promo, including double rebates at tastytrade.com/insider.
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Options Boot Camp 390: Goodbye Pattern Day Trading, Hello Margin Calls!!!
May 1300:42:36Tap to summarizeThe "Pattern Day Trading" (PDT) era is officially coming to an end! In this episode, Dan Passarelli and Mark Longo break down the massive regulatory shift coming on June 4th—which some are calling "Trader Independence Day." FINRA is moving away from the rigid $25,000 account minimum for active traders, but as the old saying goes: be careful what you wish for. In this episode, the drill instructors discuss: The Death of PDT: What the removal of the "four trades in five days" rule means for small accounts. The New "Dynamic" Risk Models: Why your broker might be watching you closer than ever. The Rise of Margin Calls: Is the trade-off for freedom a more aggressive liquidation environment? Zero-Day Options (0DTE): How the explosion of same-day expiration forced the regulators' hands. Implementation Timelines: Why some legacy brokers might keep you under the old rules until October 2025. Plus, we answer listener questions about the impact of this change on stock volatility and the potential for "call skews" to get bid up by a new wave of retail traders.
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Options Boot Camp 389: Live from OIC 2026
May 1100:33:25Tap to summarizeThe drill instructors are going mobile! This week, Options Boot Camp is reporting for duty live from the 2026 Options Industry Conference (OIC). Host Mark Longo is joined on-site by the "black-hatted one" himself, Dan Passarelli of Market Taker Mentoring, to break down the hottest trends and most controversial topics buzzing on the conference floor. From the rapid evolution of 0DTE (Zero Days to Expiration) options in single names to the looming reality of 24/7 equity and options trading, Mark and Dan pull back the curtain on where the industry is headed. They also dive into the "everything old is new again" trend of event contracts and prediction markets, the potential pitfalls of tokenizing Apple shares, and whether AI chatbots will soon be the ones recommending your next iron condor. In this episode, we cover: The 0DTE Explosion: A look at how single-name zero-day options became a reality despite industry skepticism. The 24-Hour Market Push: Is 24/7 trading an inevitability, and what does it mean for liquidity and "circuit breaker" rest? The "Wheel" Strategy: Dan discusses the ROI metrics you need for the Wheel and why brokers still struggle to track this strategy holistically. AI and the Virtual Pit: Can a registered chatbot truly understand your personal risk tolerance? Event Contracts & Litigation: Why the next big boom in binary options might lead to a billion-dollar battle between states and exchanges.
Transcribe →Options Bootcamp 5: Spread Trading
May 17, 2012Tap to summarizeOptions Bootcamp 5: Spread Trading Basic Training: Today we're going to dive into spreads. Spreads are really the defining characteristics of options. What is a spread? Why would you do a spread vs. trading an option outright? Max value of a spread is the differential between the two strike prices. Long call spread, aka vertical, examples with everyone's favorite stock XYZ. Spreads have components called legs - they are the individual parts of the spread. Roll Call: Mark and Dan sit down with Christopher Newman, the Zecco Trading Vice President of Customer Service, and run him through a few questions: A big part of the brokerage experience is support. What are some of the things Zecco does to ensure the customer has a great experience when they need support? If I'm a Zecco customer, or a potential Zecco customer, how can I reach out to get support?What methods of communication does Zecco offer? If I'm an options trader, will Zecco go the extra mile for me on the phone? Explain what options traders can expect in terms of phone support. Mail Call: Twitter question from DSCHWARTZ- You said buying options before earning was bad. What about spreads (verticals, etc)? Email from Stephen Maxes, Des Moines, IA- I'm interested in trading options spread. Do I need a special options account to do this or does the regular option account work for spreads as well? Thanks and please keep doing the show. It has been very helpful for me.
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