$30,000 Millionaire said:
I have moved to a mental stop model. I generally buy ATM/ITM calls or puts to reduce volatility, but I will go OTM if its a vertical depending on price, etc.
I am okay with an option losing 50% if there is time AND I think it will turn around. If there is no evidence of turn-around, regardless of price, cut. On the flip side, I sell when the stock has made the move I was looking for or when I think it is starting to peter out. I miss out on a theoretical max profit in a lot of cases doing this, but I'm not gambling / hoping.
By sell, I mean scale out. If I wake up and a stock gaps up 5%, I will just profit take normally.
Well said. I tend to buy ITM or ATM as well if I'm waiting on an expected move. I buy OTM more often when a stock has signaled a breakout already and I want to pile on to profit from continuation. I also buy OTM if I perceive an unwarranted drop or a sell off on a cyclical stock. Typically in that case I review strikes between current and target prices to subjectively evaluate risk versus potential profit.