Short Straddle
Options strategy · Level 4 · Naked options
Keep reading with Tradecraft
You’ve read your 3 free definitions this month. Tradecraft explains all 738 terms and strategies, with the lessons that teach them, flashcards that come back before you forget, quizzes and a payoff lab.
Sell an ATM call and an ATM put. Maximum theta collection — and maximum exposure to a big move.
Where Tradecraft teaches it
Level 4 · Naked options, in the lesson “Short straddles & strangles”: Selling volatility, breakevens and margin, and how to manage the tested and untested sides.
Related terms
- Delta hedgingTrading the underlying (or futures) to offset a position's delta so small moves barely change P&L, leaving gamma, theta and vega; it must be redone…
- Inverted strangleShort put strike above the short call strike, usually after rolling the untested side too far; at expiry it is worth at least the gap between the…
- Short StrangleSell an OTM call and an OTM put. Wider profit zone than the straddle, smaller premium, same undefined risk.
- Short vegaLosing money when implied volatility rises, even if the stock doesn't move.
- Short volAny position that profits when volatility falls or realizes below what options priced — selling straddles, strangles and puts, or holding…
- Tested sideIn a strangle, straddle or condor, the short strike the stock is moving toward — now carrying most of the risk.