Morning Brain Fart Question on VIX Puts Margin

Ok, to keep it simple, if I short 1 put with a strike of 17, the most I can lose is $170, right? (Minus premium collected.) If so, why is IB telling me in its little Margin requirements per contracts box that my margin is 601.74 (initial) and 553.40 (maintenance). Vix options have a multiplier of 10 (not the usual 100), right?

Somebody, wake me up.

 

Sorry, had coffee, just woke up. (On the West Coast.) Figured it out, lol.

 

But, related matter, isn't a 1.30 a bit high for the commission on this trade, IB?

 

I believe IB has a minimum commission of $1. Since VIX is single listed on the CBOE, the exchange also charges an extra fee of up to .45.

Cboe Options Exchange Fee Schedule

 

Off hand, know what the account minimum is to write naked ES OTM calls? It's SPAN, I know. But I heard something about $25K minimum.