The Options PlayBrian Overby and TradeKing

by Brian Overby and TradeKing

The Options Playbook was created to demystify option trading and teach investors different option plays for all market conditions.

Genres: Finance

101 pages, Spiral-bound

First published July 10, 2007

Reviews

[Jesse Rhew · Rating 2 out of 5]

More of a dictionary than a strategy guide. It's a dictionary of a bunch of exotic options plays that, from everything I've read, are totally unnecessary to know. It's also geared toward the option BUYER trying to buy the option version of a lottery ticket.

Also, everything in the book is followed by a joke. That's ok, I like books that have a more friendly feel to them, but man... cool it off once in a while.

There was a really fascinating history of options at the end though. It touched on the insane Dutch tulip speculation and the beginnings of how the options systems we have in place was organized.

Super quick read, but don't expect it to make you any money.

[Ethan J · Rating 4 out of 5]

Very informative option trading guides for beginners

[Scott · Rating 3 out of 5]

A bit tame with the suggested "plays"

[Styron Powers · Rating 3 out of 5]

Good reference book

[Krishna Kumar · Rating 3 out of 5]

This can be a dangerous book if you get money-drunk and think you can outwit the market. On the other hand, even if you are the long-term investor who has no intention of "playing" the market, this can be a useful informational book. The book summarizes the different ways in which traders can use options to profit from or reduce risks due to market changes or stability, and provides a guide to what is suitable for novices and experts. Very nicely presented and written.

[Paul D · Rating 2 out of 5]

All Greek to me ;)

_/- 000 -\_ 000 _/\_ 000 -\/- 000 \___/000 /---\ 000 /\ 000 \/

Good for beginners and as a reference. Also much less useful if you can't do higher level stuff.
Can find everything useful in it online pretty easily.

[Daniel Wiseman · Rating 4 out of 5]

Good reference book on the strategies. Not a how-to

[Justin Carley · Rating 2 out of 5]

I would say that this book is really not a good purchase for several reasons. I bought the book looking for one specific goal- how to go long extreme tail volatility without much upfront cost. This would serve as a hedge to the inevitable day when volatility goes parabolic given almost every investor portfolio, including retirees, is super short volatility. I did not find a solution.

There is a good very beginner setup and description. However, to then employ some of these super complex strategies without years of experience would be a big mistake in my mind. The purpose is to drive broker revenue at TradeKing. Experienced option traders would laugh at this book.

I gave it three stars because i did learn a little about the greeks.