for the first time, trading without options is hard to make profits. for the last time, trading with options is harder to make profits.
+1 This is a general truth and applies to everything in the mkt, not only options. There exist only two distinct ways of making money: 1) forecasting/predicting the future (corresponds to sle's item a) above); and b) providing liquidity to the mkt (corresponds to sle's item b) above).
What many don't realize dealing with options, you can be 100% right on direction of the stock, and still lose money on the option going the same way by paying too much. I have often done this myself, one learns after awhile.
Or by picking the wrong time frame for the move to occur in. That being, be correct on the direction, but wrong on when it occurs, and thus lose money. Too many things working against you when buying options.
There is plenty of substance in this comment. I like to say there is no magic. I do think that there are other ways to make money. For example deep understanding of what a efficient market is and particularly what it is not can make consistent money. Knowledge of what your opponent is doing helps, mathematical bents help, emotional control helps, risk management helps etc. I have a friend who watches interlisted option quotes and arbs it away. He can watch for hours for a nickle, I like the sunshine and my life more. I had trouble flying a plane for the first time because there were three directions instead of two like a car. Options are similar compared to stocks. Many option beginners don't realize how much knowledge you need to play options well. The basics don't help much in my view. The critical thinking comment is key. Every trade is a mix of luck and skill. In the long run, luck cancels out leaving only the true measure of your trading skill.
I think those IC trades Atticus discusses, are just a front he puts out for the public. Secretly, I suspect he is a closet naked put seller. Like most closet naked put sellers, he's too embarrased by the stigma society places on them, to come out of the closet. Atticus, this is 2012. Society no longer scorns and ridicules those traders anymore. That personal investment lifestyle choice, is now considered main stream in many states around the country. People now openly walk down the street, discussing their naked put trades in public. BTW, since protection is not used, I'm NOT suggesting novice virgin investors under 18 should be "trying it" for themselves. This is something they should wait on, until they have a mutually respectful, long term, and committed relationship, with a broker they know they can trust.