April 26, 2019

What Do You Mean by “Scalping Gamma”?

“Gamma Scalping” is a concept that retail options traders should know about, but frankly will rarely, if ever, use.  Not because it is a bad idea, but because it is capital intensive and it’s necessary to own the underlying asset.

“Gamma Scalping” involves the process of scalping in and out of a stock or futures position via the underlying market so that one can make enough adjustments over the delta of a long option premium to balance out the time decay component of the options position as part of a long gamma portfolio.

If you are long an option (it doesn’t matter if it is a call or a put) you are long gamma.  Gamma is highest with at-the-money options.  As you move away from the strike, your delta position moves in your favor.  For example, as you move up, your delta position gets longer and as you move down, your delta position gets shorter.  This allows a trader to “scalp” the underlying to profit from the move.

Follow me on Twitter @MikeShorrCbot

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

May 8, 2024

What Is Delta In Options Trading?

Understanding the Delta of an option is crucial for both new and seasoned traders. It’s one of five specific calculations called “Greeks,” which help measure specific factors that could influence the price of an options contract. Delta is a metric that helps you gauge how much the value of an option contract is expected to […]

Read Article
March 28, 2024

Wait! There Is An Options Greek Called Rho?

Out of all the Greeks in options trading, Rho is capable of providing uniquely critical insights that others cannot offer. Rho measures an option contract’s susceptibility to changing interest rates. We’ll explain how Rho by defining its specific functions, how interest rates impact options trading, and cover some pertinent scenarios. What is Rho in Options […]

Read Article
March 25, 2024

You Have A Lot Of Options Out There

There are a number of different types of options expiration types.  In the vast majority of our signals, our options will be categorized as “American”-style options.  There are some, like VIX options, that are “European”-style options.  Here’s a quick explanation of both. The term “American style” in relation to options has nothing to do with […]

Read Article

Read Similar Articles

May 8, 2024

What Is Delta In Options Trading?

Understanding the Delta of an option is crucial for both new and seasoned traders. It’s one of five specific calculations called “Greeks,” which help measure specific factors that could influence the price of an options contract. Delta is a metric that helps you gauge how much the value of an option contract is expected to […]

Read Article
March 28, 2024

Wait! There Is An Options Greek Called Rho?

Out of all the Greeks in options trading, Rho is capable of providing uniquely critical insights that others cannot offer. Rho measures an option contract’s susceptibility to changing interest rates. We’ll explain how Rho by defining its specific functions, how interest rates impact options trading, and cover some pertinent scenarios. What is Rho in Options […]

Read Article
March 25, 2024

You Have A Lot Of Options Out There

There are a number of different types of options expiration types.  In the vast majority of our signals, our options will be categorized as “American”-style options.  There are some, like VIX options, that are “European”-style options.  Here’s a quick explanation of both. The term “American style” in relation to options has nothing to do with […]

Read Article