Options Trading Course: Free Step-by-Step Lessons for Beginners

This free options trading course takes you from “what is an option?” to complete strategies, one short lesson at a time. Start with lesson 1 if you are new: each lesson builds on the last, explains one idea with a worked example, and ends with a link to the next.

Part 1: Options basics (51 lessons)

What options are, how calls and puts work, strike prices, expiration, the Greeks, volatility and the mistakes that cost beginners the most.

  1. What Is an Option? A Simple Beginner’s Guide
  2. Calls vs Puts: The Two Types of Options Explained Simply
  3. Strike Price Explained: Option Strike Price Guide for Beginners
  4. Options Expiration Date Explained: A Beginner’s Guide
  5. Options Premium Explained: What You Are Really Paying For
  6. In the Money vs Out of the Money Options Explained
  7. Intrinsic vs Extrinsic Value: Options Pricing Explained
  8. How Buying a Call Option Works: Step-by-Step Guide
  9. How Buying a Put Option Works Step by Step for Beginners
  10. What Happens When an Option Expires? Expiration Outcomes
  11. Options Contracts 101: What One Contract Represents
  12. How to Read an Options Chain Without Getting Overwhelmed
  13. Options Bid Ask Spread Explained: How it Works and Costs
  14. What Is Implied Volatility? Options Beginner Guide
  15. Options Theta Explained Simply: Why Options Lose Value Over Time
  16. Options Delta Explained: Beginner’s Guide to What Delta Means
  17. Gamma Explained: Why Delta Doesn’t Stay the Same in Options
  18. Vega Explained: How Volatility Changes Option Prices
  19. Option Greeks Cheat Sheet: Delta, Gamma, Theta, Vega Explained
  20. What Is Option Assignment? What Happens When Exercised
  21. American vs. European Options: What Is the Difference?
  22. How Much Money Do You Need to Start Trading Options?
  23. Paper Trading Options: How to Practice Before Risking Capital
  24. Biggest Mistake Beginners Make Buying Options Explained
  25. Why Beginners Lose Money Buying Options (And How to Fix It)
  26. Covered Calls Explained: A Beginner’s Guide to Cash Flow
  27. Cash-Secured Puts Explained: Get Paid to Buy Stock
  28. Vertical Spreads Explained: How to Reduce Options Risk
  29. Credit Spreads vs Debit Spreads: The Complete Beginner Guide
  30. Protective Put Strategy Explained: How to Insure Stock
  31. Collar Strategy Explained: Protect Gains Without Selling
  32. Straddles Explained: Betting on a Big Move in Either Direction
  33. Options Strangles Explained: A Cheaper Bet on Big Moves
  34. Iron Condor Explained: The Complete Beginner’s Guide
  35. Wheel Strategy Explained: Earn Income on Stocks You Want to Own
  36. How Earnings Season Affects Options Pricing: Beginner Guide
  37. Why Options Get More Expensive Before Earnings (IV Crush)
  38. How to Choose the Right Strike Price for Options: Beginner Guide
  39. Weekly vs Monthly Options: How to Choose the Right Expiration
  40. Options Position Sizing: How to Protect Your Account
  41. When to Take Profits on Options: How to Lock In Gains
  42. When to Cut a Losing Options Trade: How to Stop Losing Trades
  43. Rolling an Options Position: What It Means and When to Do It
  44. Options Liquidity: Why It Matters More Than Beginners Think
  45. Open Interest vs Volume in Options: What Each One Tells You
  46. How to Hedge a Stock Position with Options: Step-by-Step
  47. LEAPS Options Explained: How to Trade Long-Term Options
  48. Poor Man’s Covered Call: Strategy Guide for Beginners
  49. Options Trading Terms: A Complete Beginner’s Glossary
  50. Options Trading Platforms: What to Look for as a Beginner
  51. First 30 Days Trading Options: A Beginner’s Action Plan

Part 2: Options strategies, step by step (1 lessons)

How to put the basics to work: spreads, income strategies and how to choose one for the market you are in.

  1. Bull Call Spread Strategy: Cheaper Bets on Rising Stocks

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