The Complete Guide to Options Strategies: From Basics to Advanced
December 4, 2025
18 min read
Interactive Charts
Options strategies are the building blocks of sophisticated portfolio management. Whether you're preparing for the CIRO Derivatives Exam or looking to enhance your trading toolkit, understanding these strategies is essential.
This interactive guide covers all 11 essential strategies with live payoff calculators. Adjust the parameters yourself to see how changes in strike prices and premiums affect your profit/loss profile.
Pay a premium for the right to BUY shares at strike K. Your loss can never exceed the premium paid, but profits are unlimited as the stock climbs.
Payoff at Expiration
ProfitLossStrike
Adjust Parameters
$100
$5
Max Profit
+23.0
Max Loss
-5.0
How to Build This Strategy
1
BUYCall Option
at Strike K
š
Long Put
BearishLimited RiskHigh Downside Reward
Pay a premium for the right to SELL shares at strike K. Profits as the stock falls below K. Max loss is the premium.
Payoff at Expiration
ProfitLossStrike
Adjust Parameters
$100
$5
Max Profit
+23.0
Max Loss
-5.0
How to Build This Strategy
1
BUYPut Option
at Strike K
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Short Call
Bearish/NeutralUnlimited RiskLimited Reward
Sell a call and collect the premium now. Profit if the stock stays below K, but face unlimited loss if it surges above K.
Payoff at Expiration
ProfitLossStrike
Adjust Parameters
$100
$5
Max Profit
+5.0
Max Loss
-23.0
How to Build This Strategy
1
SELLCall Option
at Strike K
ā¬ļø
Short Put
Bullish/NeutralHigh RiskLimited Reward
Sell a put and collect the premium. Profit if the stock stays above K, but you're obligated to buy shares at K if it falls hard.
Payoff at Expiration
ProfitLossStrike
Adjust Parameters
$100
$5
Max Profit
+5.0
Max Loss
-23.0
How to Build This Strategy
1
SELLPut Option
at Strike K
Spread Strategies
Limit risk while maintaining directional exposure
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Bull Call Spread
BullishLimited RiskLimited RewardNet Debit
Buy a lower-strike call (Kā) and sell a higher-strike call (Kā). Lower cost than a naked call, but upside is capped at Kā.
Payoff at Expiration
ProfitLossStrike
Adjust Parameters
$95
$110
$8
$3
Max Profit
+10.0
Max Loss
-5.0
How to Build This Strategy
1
BUYCall Option
Lower Strike Kā
2
SELLCall Option
Upper Strike Kā
š»
Bear Put Spread
BearishLimited RiskLimited RewardNet Debit
Buy a higher-strike put (Kā) and sell a lower-strike put (Kā). Bearish strategy at reduced cost, with capped maximum profit.
Payoff at Expiration
ProfitLossStrike
Adjust Parameters
$90
$105
$7
$2
Max Profit
+10.0
Max Loss
-5.0
How to Build This Strategy
1
BUYPut Option
Higher Strike Kā
2
SELLPut Option
Lower Strike Kā
Volatility Strategies
Profit from big moves in either direction
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Long Straddle
NeutralBig Move RequiredLimited Risk
Buy an ATM call AND an ATM put at the SAME strike K. You profit from a large move in either direction ā direction-agnostic volatility bet.
Payoff at Expiration
ProfitLossStrike
Adjust Parameters
$100
$5
$5
Max Profit
+18.0
Max Loss
-10.0
How to Build This Strategy
1
BUYCall Option
Strike K (ATM)
2
BUYPut Option
Strike K (ATM)
š
Long Strangle
NeutralBig Move RequiredCheaper than Straddle
Buy an OTM put at Kā and an OTM call at Kā. Cheaper than a straddle, but requires an even larger move to profit.
Payoff at Expiration
ProfitLossStrike
Adjust Parameters
$92
$108
$3
$3
Max Profit
+22.0
Max Loss
-6.0
How to Build This Strategy
1
BUYPut Option
OTM Put Strike Kā (lower)
2
BUYCall Option
OTM Call Strike Kā (higher)
Income Strategies
Generate premium income in range-bound markets
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Butterfly Spread
NeutralNet Debit3 StrikesPrecise
Buy 1 lower-strike call, sell 2 middle-strike calls, buy 1 higher-strike call. Max profit if stock pins at Kā at expiry.
Payoff at Expiration
ProfitLossStrike
Adjust Parameters
$90
$100
$110
$12
Max Profit
+9.0
Max Loss
-1.0
How to Build This Strategy
1
BUYCall Option
Lower Strike Kā
2
SELLCall Option
Middle Strike Kā (Ć2)
3
BUYCall Option
Upper Strike Kā
š”ļø
Covered Call
Mildly BullishStock RequiredIncomeCapped Upside
Own 100 shares (bought at Sā), then sell 1 call at strike K above your cost. Earns premium income but caps upside at K.
Payoff at Expiration
ProfitLossStrike
Adjust Parameters
$100
$110
$4
Max Profit
+14.0
Max Loss
-24.0
How to Build This Strategy
1
BUYStock (100 shares)
Purchased at price Sā
2
SELLCall Option
Strike K (above Sā, OTM)
Hedging Strategies
Protect your portfolio from downside risk
š
Protective Put
BullishStock RequiredInsuranceDownside Floor
Own 100 shares (at Sā) and buy a put at strike K as portfolio insurance. Sets a hard floor on losses while keeping unlimited upside.
Payoff at Expiration
ProfitLossStrike
Adjust Parameters
$100
$93
$3
Max Profit
+25.0
Max Loss
-10.0
How to Build This Strategy
1
BUYStock (100 shares)
Purchased at price Sā
2
BUYPut Option
Strike K (your floor)
Try the Interactive Strategy Lab
Want a more focused experience? Visit our dedicated Derivatives Strategy Lab for full-screen interactive charts, detailed construction guides, and side-by-side comparisons.