Call Ratio Backspread
Short lower-strike call with two long higher-strike calls.
- Group
- Bullish
- Risk Level
- Very High
- Legs
- 2
⚡ Expert Level
Advanced Option Strategies
Complex structures for sophisticated traders. Ratio spreads, synthetics, reverse condors, and custom multi-leg combinations for fine-grained control.
Bull Call Ladder
Bull call spread with additional short call at higher strike.
- Group
- Bullish
- Risk Level
- Medium
- Legs
- 3
Covered Put
Short shares with short put limiting profit below strike.
- Group
- Bearish
- Risk Level
- Very High
- Legs
- 2
Put Ratio Backspread
Short higher-strike put with two long lower-strike puts.
- Group
- Bearish
- Risk Level
- Very High
- Legs
- 2
Bear Put Ladder
Bear put spread with additional short put.
- Group
- Bearish
- Risk Level
- Medium
- Legs
- 3
Strip
One long call and two long puts emphasize downside.
- Group
- Volatility
- Risk Level
- High
- Legs
- 2
Strap
Two long calls and one long put emphasize upside.
- Group
- Volatility
- Risk Level
- High
- Legs
- 2
Reverse Iron Condor
Bear put and bull call spreads seek movement beyond wings.
- Group
- Volatility
- Risk Level
- Medium
- Legs
- 4
Reverse Iron Butterfly
Long spreads centered on strike seek movement from body.
- Group
- Volatility
- Risk Level
- Medium
- Legs
- 4
Long Guts
In-the-money call and put create two-sided volatility.
- Group
- Volatility
- Risk Level
- High
- Legs
- 2
Short Strap
Two short calls and one short put at one strike collect elevated premium, with risk skewed to the upside.
- Group
- Neutral
- Risk Level
- Very High
- Legs
- 2
Iron Butterfly
Short straddle with protective wings defining risk/reward.
- Group
- Neutral
- Risk Level
- Medium
- Legs
- 4
Call Calendar Spread
Same-strike calls valued at the near-term expiry.
- Group
- Neutral
- Risk Level
- Medium
- Legs
- 2
Put Calendar Spread
Same-strike puts valued at the near-term expiry.
- Group
- Neutral
- Risk Level
- Medium
- Legs
- 2
Short Guts
Short ITM call and put seek limited movement.
- Group
- Neutral
- Risk Level
- Very High
- Legs
- 2
Poor Man's Covered Call
Long-dated deep ITM call financed by a short-dated OTM call, approximating a covered call with less capital.
- Group
- Bullish
- Risk Level
- Medium
- Legs
- 2
Characteristics of Advanced Strategies
- Complex payoff: Non-linear profit zones tailored to specific convictions
- Higher management: Monitoring, rolling, and adjustment are critical
- Margin and liquidity: Multiple legs require sufficient capital and deep option liquidity
- Volatility sensitivity: Greeks (especially gamma and vega) require active monitoring
Advanced Patterns
Ratio Spreads: Sell more contracts than you buy, creating unlimited risk if the market moves against you—for experienced traders only.
Synthetics: Replicate stock ownership (or short) using options alone, with potentially higher leverage and faster time decay.
Reverse Condors & Butterflies: Flip the script to profit from big moves outside a range, rather than within it.
Diagonals & Calendars: Trade volatility differences across expirations, requiring frequent rolling and active management.
Getting Started
Review intermediate strategies and the options FAQ before experimenting with these structures. Consider using the custom strategy builder to visualize payoff profiles before placing a trade.
⚠️ Complexity Note: Advanced strategies require a deep understanding of options mechanics, Greeks, margin rules, and your broker's requirements. Paper-trade first.