re: options trading

When discussing the options and futures markets in class someone always brought up that it seems a lot like gambling and it does. but you can always hedge the opposite way to reduce your risk of loss but usually if you come out the victor your earning will be basically the difference in your two positions minus the premium paid which comes out to not very much depending on how much you invest. So finally I get to quote one of the biggest drunks I ever knew in relation to finance as "Go Huge or Go Home" = basically if you want to make a big gain in the options market don't hedge your positions but also be prepared b/c after a bout with that market you might have to put your phone bill in your baby's name.

If you really want something to get you going try some Shorts with your research coming from technical analysis.