You are misunderstanding and should not be encouraging this type of idea. OP's not trying to make markets. He believes he can react to changes in underlying stocks fast enough to pick off stale option prices. What he does not understand is, there of dozens of super sophisticated and technology-intensive mms / HFTs who are lightning fast to update prices, and/or arb out any errors or stale prices. The idea that you can outrun them with a retail brokerage account is just absurd.
Scalping stock options? Sure, there are many stupid and crazy option market makers you can profit from. Guaranteed road to wealth. But be sure it will be your own scalp. @marketsurfer: You are wasting your time. it's their destiny.
Most people will lose money trading options. But that is the same with futures, forex, shares (or any other instruments). So going by that logic, nobody should be encouraging others to speculate.
This had to do with scalping options, not trading options in general. Trading covered call OTM options is a lucrative style but you need the money,.
I have clients that scalp options but they prefer to do it manually. By automating the process it is very easy to fall into the professional customer category which increases costs and drops you in priority. To make money at it, you need low commissions and high volume. The rebates only add up with activity.
Trading covered call OTM options is similar to trading ITM put options. Whatever they trade, most people will lose money.