
Options Boot Camp
Markets and Investing
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.
Location:
United States
Description:
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.
Language:
English
Episodes
Options Boot Camp 354: Oral Surgery & Exotic Options
9/3/2025
Duration:00:40:52
Options Boot Camp 353: Dividend Adjustments, Football Binaries and Tasty Malört
8/27/2025
In this episode, our hosts Mark Longo and Dan Passarelli dive into listener questions and hot topics shaping the options market. They break down a recent VIX trade, discuss the fascinating and volatile world of a popular new options stock, and answer a question about the increasing prevalence of exotic "event markets" on brokerage platforms.
Timestamps
Duration:00:23:21
Options Boot Camp 351: Let's Get Exotic With Lookback Options!!
8/13/2025
This episode discusses various exotic options strategies, particularly lookback and fixed strike options, and their potential advantages and costs. Mark Longo and Dan Passarelli also address listener questions and concerns about options trading in the current market climate, including the higher volatility seen in recent earnings reports. They dive into the specifics of how lookback options work, the differences between floating and fixed strike lookback puts, and whether such exotic options are viable for retail traders. The episode also includes interactive audience polls about current VIX levels and earnings trading preferences and updates on the latest addition to the Options Insider Radio Network.
01:12 Welcome to Options Bootcamp
01:50 New Shows and Pro Membership Benefits
03:05 Introducing Dan Passarelli
03:38 Listener Mail Call: Exotic Options
05:00 Exploring Lookback Options
12:32 Fixed Strike Lookback Options Explained
20:39 Question of the Week: VIX Predictions
24:27 Earnings Season Trading Strategies
27:14 Market Taker Question of the Week
30:54 Conclusion and Upcoming Shows
Duration:00:33:21
Options Boot Camp 350: Crazy Premium Harvesting and Capturing Mysterious Dividends
8/6/2025
In this episode, hosts Mark Longo and Dan Passarelli (Market Taker Mentoring) delve into various listener-submitted questions and trading strategies. They talk about a listener's in-depth query on a put calendar trade with Johnson & Johnson and its associated risks, and another listener's covered call strategy dubbed 'Ultra Premium Harvesting.' The hosts also answer inquiries on the use case and risks involved in trading inverse volatility products like SVXY, and discuss the optimal products and strategies for trading precious metals like gold and silver. Additionally, they address a listener's request about visiting the studio and potential local meet-ups.
01:12 Welcome to Options Bootcamp
03:10 Listener Mail Call
03:57 Ben's Epic Treatise on Put Calendars
11:39 Michael K's Ultra Premium Harvesting Strategy
17:00 Exploring Inverse Volatility Products
20:21 Trading Precious Metals
23:21 Listener Annet's Chicago Visit
25:08 Conclusion and Upcoming Episodes
Duration:00:27:31
Options Boot Camp 349: Forget 0DTE...Let's Talk About L.E.A.P.S!!!
7/30/2025
This episode dives deep into Long-Term Equity Anticipation Securities (LEAPS) and their strategic use, particularly in stock substitution strategies. Hosts Mark Longo and Dan Passarelli (Market Taker Mentoring) discuss the fundamental aspects of LEAPS, focusing on their sensitivity to volatility (Vega) rather than gamma, and explain how they can offer a more capital-efficient alternative to outright stock purchases. They elaborate on different strategies, such as using LEAPS for a synthetic covered call, or 'poor man's covered call,' to reduce the overall cost and risk. Additionally, they highlight the need for diligent management of these trades to avoid unwanted outcomes, like forced exercise of the option.
01:04 Welcome to Options Bootcamp
04:15 Basic Training: Learning Options Trading
07:52 Discussing Leaps: Long-Term Equity Anticipation Securities
16:57 Stock Substitution Strategy with Leaps
22:48 Poor Man's Covered Call Strategy
26:15 Conclusion and Next Steps
Duration:00:28:44
Options Boot Camp 348: Meme Stock Revival and the Princes of Options Darkness
7/23/2025
In this episode of Options Boot Camp, Mark Longo and Dan Passarelli dive into a myriad of topics regarding options trading. They discuss educational resources available from the Options Insider Radio Network, followed by insights into current options market phenomena including meme stocks, a focus on Palantir and Circle options, and the risks and rewards of specific strategies like spreads and selling premium. They analyze listener questions on challenges facing options traders, including liquidity issues and execution problems. The episode wraps up with a tribute to Ozzy Osbourne, exploring his influence on music and the recent surge in pop culture relevance.
01:04 Welcome to Options Boot Camp
03:31 Listener Mail Call
04:51 Market Trends and Analysis
06:02 Meme Stocks and Short Squeezes
09:06 Crypto Market Insights
11:15 Options Trading Challenges
21:11 Audience Insights and Trading Preferences
21:43 The Case for Debit Spreads
23:24 Circle's Puts: Too Good to Be True?
28:49 Open: The Hot Meme Stock
31:45 Remembering Ozzy Osbourne
36:39 Upcoming Events and Final Thoughts
Duration:00:39:26
Options Boot Camp 347: Heisenberg, Rogue AI and More Forgotten Terms
7/16/2025
Mark and Dan discuss more forgotten trading terms on this episode of Options Boot Camp.
Duration:00:43:11
Options Boot Camp 346: Boiler Rooms and SOES Bandits
7/9/2025
In this episode of Options Bootcamp, hosts Mark Longo and Dan Passarelli delve into a series of forgotten trading terms submitted by listeners. Topics include terms from the movie "Boiler Room," scalping, stockbroker, SOES bandits, stock certificates, and more. They also discuss recent trading activities, such as the VIX July 17 puts and IBIT straddle trades. Listener questions about deep in-the-money options and thoughts on the new Pope from Dan’s neighborhood add a touch of humor and relatability.
01:04 Welcome to Options Bootcamp
02:31 Pro Trading Crate Giveaway
04:41 Listener Questions: Forgotten Trading Terms
20:01 The Nostalgia of Physical Stock Certificates
21:47 Forgotten Trading Terms: Round Turn
25:07 Listener Questions: Straddles and VIX Puts
30:43 Asset Class Predictions for the Second Half of the Year
35:30 Deep in the Money Options: Use Cases
37:55 The New Pope and Hot Dog Toppings
40:37 Closing Remarks and Upcoming Shows
Duration:00:42:34
Options Boot Camp 345: Covered Call Surprises and Bad Mid-Market Fills
7/2/2025
In this episode, hosts Mark Longo and Dan Passarelli (Market Taker Mentoring) delve into various aspects of options trading, starting with a discussion on the current conflicts in the Middle East and their potential impact on volatility indices like the VIX. Listener questions are addressed on topics ranging from early call assignments to the appropriate time to venture into calendar spreads. The hosts also explain the concept of risk premium and the importance of liquidity when trading options. Useful advice is given for enhancing options trading strategies, emphasizing the significance of understanding market conditions and the nuances of different trading instruments.
01:04 Welcome to Options Bootcamp
02:40 Listener Mail Call
06:41 Market Taker Question of the Week
09:37 Understanding Risk Premium
13:12 Transitioning to Calendar Spreads
17:27 Handling Early Option Exercises
21:10 Midpoint Order Execution Challenges
25:07 Conclusion and Future Content
Duration:00:27:29
Options Boot Camp 344: Forgotten Options Terms Part 3
6/25/2025
In this episode of Options Bootcamp, Mark Longo and Dan Passarelli dive deep into the world of options trading terminology that has largely been lost to time. They discuss legacy trading concepts like the 'Texas Hedge,' 'price improvement auctions,' and the 'penny pilot program.' They also reminisce about old order types like 'fill or kill' and explore terms like 'screen trader' and 'spot' in pricing. This episode provides a reflective look at how trading practices and slang have evolved over the years, all while engaging the audience with some light-hearted banter and nostalgia.
00:00 Introduction to Options Insider Radio Network
01:36 Meet the Hosts: Mark Longo and Dan Passarelli
03:49 Forgotten Options Terminology
06:48 Exploring the Penny Pilot Program
12:10 Price Improvement Auctions Explained
15:25 The Texas Hedge Explained
18:03 Fill or Kill Orders: A Blast from the Past
21:42 The Evolution of Screen Trading
23:06 Spot Pricing and Old School Lingo
25:12 Remembering Ticket Charges
26:54 Conclusion and Podcast Promotion
Duration:00:29:17
Options Boot Camp 343: Forgotten Options Terms Part 2
6/18/2025
In this episode of Options Bootcamp, hosts Mark Longo and Dan Passarelli delve into various lesser-known and forgotten options trading terms. They start by reminiscing about their experiences on the trading floor, sharing definitions and history behind terms like Delta Neutral, Leaning on Orders, Squawk Box, and ARB Clerk. They also discuss the significance and evolution of these terms and how they're viewed and used in modern-day trading. The episode further explores the influence of current events on market volatility and polls listeners on related topics. Throughout, they encourage listeners to share their own forgotten options terms to potentially include in future episodes.
01:05 Welcome to Options Bootcamp
03:10 Options Drills: Strategies and Techniques
04:30 Forgotten Options Terminology: Part 2
05:01 Exploring Section 1256 Contracts
10:19 The Concept of Delta Neutral
16:23 Leaning on Orders and Other Trading Floor Terms
23:45 More Lost Trading Terms
23:59 The Antiquated Language of Trading Pits
25:53 The Guts Trade Explained
28:49 The Squawk Box and Its Obsolescence
31:30 The Forgotten Greek: Rho
33:41 The Role of ARB Clerks
36:39 The National Best Bid and Offer (NBBO)
38:33 Listener Mail Call
40:10 Apocalypse Assets and Market Volatility
45:02 Conclusion and Future Episodes
Duration:00:48:16
Options Boot Camp 342: Resurrecting Forgotten Options Terms
6/11/2025
In this episode of Options Bootcamp, host Mark Longo and co-host Dan Passarelli (Market Taker Mentoring) dive into forgotten and lesser-known options terminologies. The duo explores terms such as horizontal and vertical spreads, legging into trades, volatility smiles, realized vs. implied volatility, and risk premium harvesting. They touch upon trading floor lingo, including the roles of 'locals,' the use of 'raise' in retail automated execution systems, and the concept of 'out trades.' As they discuss each term, they highlight their relevance and usage in today's trading landscape. Listeners are also engaged with polls, letting them voice their opinions on these old-school trading terms.
01:04 Welcome to Options Bootcamp
01:38 Education Wednesday: Volatility Death Match Recap
02:59 Introducing the Black Hatted One: Dan Passarelli
03:59 Options Drills: Forgotten Terminology
05:42 Exploring Horizontal Spreads
07:23 Legging into Trades: Risks and Strategies
11:02 Volatility Smile and Skew
13:31 Implied vs. Realized Volatility
17:16 Back Spreads and Front Spreads
20:56 Under and Over: Pricing Complex Trades
23:49 The Renaissance of the Local Trading Crowd
25:05 The Evolution of Trading Roles
25:40 The Trading Crowd and Market Makers
27:43 Out Trades and Manual Entry
29:03 The Antiquated Practices of Trading
32:28 The Concept of Paper in Trading
34:02 Cabinet Trades and Penny Pricing
37:50 The Rise of Electronic Trading
41:41 Listener Polls and Apocalypse Assets
44:44 Concluding Remarks and Upcoming Shows
Duration:00:47:29
Options Boot Camp 341: Options Are Cool Again
6/4/2025
In this episode of Options Bootcamp, Mark Longo and Dan Passarelli discuss the latest developments in the options market, including a significant increase in options trading volume and the role of retail traders. They address recent volume statistics from the Options Clearing Corporation, showcasing substantial growth in April and May. The episode delves into the upcoming potential of zero-DTE options on the 'Mag 7' stocks, with listener opinions divided on their enthusiasm. Dan shares his insights on trading strategies like calendars and verticals, and the hosts also address listener questions on inverse volatility products and fundamental analysis in trading. A special highlight includes the recognition of listener loyalty by rewarding Madam Gigi in their monthly giveaway.
01:03 Welcome to Options Bootcamp
01:53 Meet the Hosts: Mark Longo and Dan Passarelli
03:28 Listener Engagement and Pro Membership Perks
05:36 Options Market Performance Insights
16:02 Mail Call: Listener Questions and Poll Results
19:27 Exploring VIX Calls and Market Sentiments
21:26 Crypto Preferences and Apocalyptic Scenarios
23:36 Revisiting Nvidia vs. Palantir Debate
26:55 Fundamental Analysis in Options Trading
28:35 The Popularity of Options Trading
29:44 Inverse VIX Products and Calendar Trades
32:25 Listener Engagement and Community Love
Duration:00:36:46
Options Boot Camp 340: Assignment Cancellation and Breakfast Concerns
5/28/2025
In this episode of Options Boot Camp, Mark Longo from the Options Insider and Dan Passarelli from Market Taker Mentoring dive into key topics surrounding options trading. They discuss concerns related to Zero DTE options, VIX call trading strategies, and evaluating gamma's importance. Additionally, the episode explores the future of the binary events market, potential expansions of trading products, and the intriguing idea of trading call options on sports teams. The segment wraps with listener questions addressing unexpected moments in trading careers and practical strategies when dealing with gamma and earning seasons, providing a comprehensive outlook on the current and future state of options trading.
01:02 Welcome to Options Boot Camp
02:57 Listener Mail Call
08:48 Market Taker Question of the Week
15:33 Understanding Gamma in Options Trading
18:04 Hilarious Handle: Concerned Breakfast
19:07 Unexpected Moments in Trading
23:30 The Notion of a 'Get Out of Jail Free' Card in Options Trading
26:49 Future of Binary and Event Markets
31:24 Wrapping Up and Final Thoughts
Duration:00:34:02
Options Boot Camp 339: Watching the World Burn with Contra-Exercise Orders
5/21/2025
In this episode of Options Bootcamp, Mark Longo and Dan Passarelli discuss NASDAQ's proposal for zero days-to-expiration (DTE) options on the Mag 7 and Broadcom, delving into the implications and controversies surrounding the contra exercise window. Mark provides an overview of the Options Insider Radio Network and apologizes for a brief hiatus due to illness. They address a listener's question about the pilot program and conduct a poll to gauge audience sentiment regarding the initiative. The episode also tackles the role of education in navigating the options market and features a lively discussion on potential advantages and pitfalls of the proposed changes.
01:05 Welcome to Options Bootcamp
02:40 Special Guest and Upcoming Events
03:30 Basic Training: Understanding Options
05:46 Discussion on Contra Exercise Window
13:40 Listener Questions and Poll Results
14:44 Zero DTE Options Pilot Proposal
26:20 Final Thoughts
Duration:00:28:51
Options Boot Camp 338: The Wild World of the Options Conference
5/14/2025
In this episode of Options Boot Camp, hosts Mark Longo and Dan Passarelli (from Market Taker Mentoring) discuss a variety of topics related to options trading. They begin by discussing the resurgence of trading floors, specifically a new one in Miami by MIAX, and the potential for more 24-hour trading sessions in options markets. The hosts also delve into recent developments from the Options Industry Conference, including NASDAQ’s pilot program for zero-day options on certain high-volume stocks. Also, they tap into current market dynamics, including a 25% rise in trading volumes driven by trade war uncertainties, and cover the administrative challenges of contra exercise orders, especially in light of potential new zero-day options. Listener questions about VIX versus VXX and opinions on the current market rally are also addressed.
01:04 Welcome to Options Bootcamp
01:34 Education Wednesday and Market Updates
02:42 Live Video Component and Studio Updates
03:55 Options Drills and Strategies
04:53 Insights from the Options Industry Conference
06:38 Discussion on Zero-Day Options Pilot Program
12:15 24-Hour Trading and Market Making
14:56 New Trading Floor in Miami
17:07 April Trading Volume Highlights
18:50 Market Volatility and Trading Strategies
19:25 Index Options and Equity Options Trends
20:30 Listener Mail Call
21:25 Market Taker Question of the Week
21:34 Understanding VIX and VXX
23:28 Listener Questions on VIX and Market Trends
29:18 Contra Exercise and Broker Practices
34:24 Remembering Alex 'The Viceroy' Jacobson
36:27 Closing Remarks and Upcoming Content
Duration:00:40:10
Options Boot Camp 337: The Mysteries of Dark Pools and Options Liquidity
5/7/2025
This episode of Options Boot Camp focuses on various aspects of options trading, including liquidity, specific stock options like Funko, Intel, and Nvidia, and different trading strategies like covered calls and cash-secured puts. Hosted by Mark Longo and Dan Passarelli, the show answers listener questions about how to determine the liquidity of options, the role of dark pools in the options market, and examining specific trading opportunities. The hosts also discuss the current active trading environment and highlight some listener feedback on various trading platforms.
01:04 Welcome to Options Bootcamp
02:30 Listener Mail Call
03:30 Funko and VIX Trade Discussions
08:25 Market Taker Question of the Week
18:17 Dark Pools in Options Trading
21:05 Listener Feedback and Closing Remarks
Duration:00:27:11
Options Boot Camp 336: Retail vs. Institutional Options Trading Slugfest
4/30/2025
In this episode of Options Bootcamp, host Mark Longo and co-host Dan Passarelli delve into the differences and similarities between institutional and retail options trading. They discuss the growing accessibility and sophistication of retail traders, the challenges and advantages faced by institutional traders, and the surprising overlap in strategies used by both groups. Topics covered include the prevalent use of flex options, the application of exotic options like knockouts and barriers, and real-world examples of massive trades and their outcomes. This episode provides valuable insights for traders looking to understand the broader options market landscape.
01:04 Welcome to Options Bootcamp
05:32 Institutional vs. Retail Options Trading
15:44 Flex Options and Exotic Strategies
21:40 Unusual Activity and Institutional Insights
26:02 Conclusion and Final Thoughts
Duration:00:29:26
Options Boot Camp 335: Mysterious and Head-Scratching Options Order Types
4/23/2025
In this episode of Options Bootcamp, hosts Mark Longo and Dan Passarelli explore a variety of order types and their strategic uses within options trading. They discuss basic duration orders like 'Good Till Cancel,' immediate orders such as 'Immediate or Cancel' (IOC) and 'Fill or Kill' (FOK), and more complex conditional orders including 'One Cancels the Other' (OCO) and 'Trailing Stop Orders.' The episode also features a vibrant discussion on the potential advantages and risks associated with each order type. Additionally, they delve into the seldom-used but intricate 'Market on Close' (MOC) and 'Limit on Close' (LOC) orders, offering insights into specific use cases. The episode concludes with responses to listener questions and polls revealing current market sentiments and trading behaviors.
01:03 Welcome to Options Bootcamp
01:35 Market Overview and Listener Tips
04:03 Options Drills: Advanced Order Types
06:33 Duration Orders: GTC and Day Orders
10:58 Immediate Orders: IOC and Fill or Kill
15:15 Conditional Orders: One Cancels the Other (OCO)
20:05 Exploring Similar Product Trades
21:28 Understanding Trailing Stop Orders
24:16 Market on Close (MOC) Orders Explained
31:00 Listener Mailbag and Poll Results
38:58 Final Thoughts and Upcoming Content
Duration:00:40:59