my experience. You get filled immediately or not at all. If it takes a while it’s because delta has moved against you.
Misterkel suggestion was to start buying from the bid, moving toward mid to get a better fill than starting a mid and moving toward market (ask for buy), as I think you are suggesting.
%% NOT long @ all in a bear market with calls\generally speaking. MAY never get filled , but that could be a blessing in disguise\ becase the old floor traders note ''no such thing as a cheap option'' Certain exceptions apply\some execs get stock options dirt cheap [not on spy or qqq] + Mr H Hunt got some cheap oil options , but that was before oil was used much in autos..........................................................................
"How is that made possible? Isn't it illegal/unlawful/corrupt by violating NBBO rules?" Not violating the NBBO - just more size at the NBBO. You should chat with your broker and it might help you craft your order(s). Then again, they may not be a participant. Talk to them. Preferenced orders have been around for about a decade.
I wouldn't call it corrupt . It's just some strategic thing and the wide spreads are due to only recently a jointly Calibrating model becoming available and still most institutions and people don't use it
Risk and expectstion is quite difficult to price actually its no surprise the spreads are wide and dealers respond to quotes just like anyone else in their own way with whatever model they have
Dude, the OP was talking about longing options - so, start closer to bid. I've hit near the bid plenty of times. No reason to start at center. It's easy enough to adjust closer.