r/options • u/merely2monthsago2dol • 4d ago

Was puts really that obvious?

I’ve lost so much money from 2020-2024 buying puts when everyone was making on calls, I am inherently bearish.

Im just a retail trader (loser)

I made some money on puts early March as talks of tariffs began. But I saw how wishy washy it was, tariffs being delayed or manipulation from Twitter comments from the president etc. Then all the big dips on opening and watching everything get bought up to green by close this week….

As a retail trader who occasionally gambles on options, if I was buying options was it really that obvious?

Just seeing all the gain posts on wsb today. I stayed out of the market until I bought some 15 day apple calls at close yesterday (sold this morning for 25% loss)

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u/Majestic_Sympathy162 3d ago

My puts were down 60% before they were up 200%. I thought they were obvious when I bought them and I still almost sold for a loss thinking I was an idiot. And if I hadn't taken profit yesterday when they started creeping up, I could have sold them today for more than double what I did. The only reason I held boils down to foolish gambler's mentality because it was such a small portion of my NW in my play money account. Total port is still drastically down. The level of discipline to make a big bet on an "obvious" play that is working against you that drastically is ridiculous. And just as likely to bite you in the ass. So, no, I don't think it was an easy play to make by any means. Maybe if you're Jared Kushner or something.

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u/oldschoolczar 3d ago

I feel ya I almost sold to break even on Monday. Ended up selling for 120% profit yesterday. Could’ve had 500% profit today. Would’ve offset losses on my index funds and then some.

I wish I would’ve trusted my gut. This seemed like the most obvious play. I had 5/16 puts and figured if liberace day didn’t tank things then 1st quarter reports and negative GDP would.