April 27, 2020

What Do I Need To Do To Start Trading Options?

You’ve made the decision to start trading options.  Congratulations!  Options offer many advantages for the novice and experienced trader alike.  But, “where do I start?” you may ask yourself.

You can trade and invest in options at almost any major broker. Typically, you will also need to apply for, and be approved for, margin and option privileges in your account.

Many brokerages offer an options-specific platform for more advanced options traders. They will feature option trading tools that let you monitor the options market, plan your strategy, and implement it in one convenient, easy-to-use, integrated place. These platforms offer an advantage if you plan on participating in complex options trades that feature three or four “legs,” or sides of a trade.

In addition, many will offer mobile trading technology, allowing you to not only monitor and manage your options, but trade contracts right from your smartphone or mobile device.

about the author:

Mike Shorr

Since 1994, Michael has been an on-the-floor market maker, Vice-President of Interest Rate Derivatives for Knight Financial Products and Director of Education and Options Instructor at Trading Advantage. He makes the oftentimes complex world of options and trading accessible to the novice and advanced trader alike. Michael has a Bachelor of Science degree in Statistics and Finance from the University of Illinois Champaign-Urbana. He presently is Director, Trader Education at ProsperTradingAcademy.

Read Similar Articles

February 6, 2026

The Delta Greek: How To Measure Option Premium

When the markets move, the Delta Greek can be one of the most valuable metrics to options traders. There’s a particular correlation between the Delta Greek and options premium that can help traders find out how much the price of an option is expected to change. From my personal experience, I believe this pattern can […]

Read Article
January 21, 2026

Could Penny Stocks Be The Big Play In 2026?

Written By: Howard Greenberg As everyday traders put their trading plans into action for 2026, penny stocks might not be on many of their radars. It’s totally understandable why penny stocks may not appeal to the more calculated seasoned traders. Their reputations for susceptibility to manipulation, extreme volatility, and low liquidity make them way too […]

Read Article
December 23, 2025

3 Top Indicators For Day Trading Options

Make no mistake…day trading options can be very profitable, but it can also be very risky. If you don’t know what you’re doing—you will get burned. When I first started day trading options, I learned that lesson the hard way quite a few times, but those experiences made me a better trader and coach. I’ll […]

Read Article

Read Similar Articles

https://www.prospertrading.com/ibm-stock-scott-trade-84-result/IBM Stock: Scott’s Breaks Down Trade Signal Showing 84%* Result
January 31, 2026

IBM Stock: Scott’s Breaks Down Trade Signal Showing 84%* Result

IBM stock was among the latest notable moves that turned heads this earnings season. The stock jumped over eight percent, after beating earnings expectations, along with the company’s encouraging growth in software and its AI book of business. Scott Bauer already had IBM stock on his radar going into their quarterly report. He released a […]

Read Article
https://www.prospertrading.com/microsoft-earnings-how-the-market-reacted/Microsoft Earnings: How the Market Reacted
January 30, 2026

Microsoft Earnings: How the Market Reacted

After Microsoft earnings were announced on Wednesday, a lot of traders prepared for the worst going into yesterday’s session. Microsoft (MSFT) fell around 10% yesterday—its worst single-day drop since 2020—wiping out hundreds of billions in market cap. Many thought the market would follow suit. Despite how investors reacted to Microsoft earnings, the market showcased its […]

Read Article
https://www.prospertrading.com/scott-reveals-bold-trade-idea-in-plunging-healthcare-stock/Scott Reveals Bold Trade Idea In Plunging Healthcare Stock
January 28, 2026

Scott Reveals Bold Trade Idea In Plunging Healthcare Stock

Healthcare stocks plummeted yesterday after the Trump Administration proposed keeping rates flat for Medicare Advantage. One particular name that stood out among healthcare stocks was Humana Inc. (HUM). The stock fell over 21%, hitting a 52-week low. Despite the catastrophic selloff, there was something about HUM that caught Scott Bauer’s eye…enough for him to propose […]

Read Article