Learn to use options from veteran option trader Mark D Wolfinger, who spent more than 20 years as a market maker on the floor of the Chicago Board Options Exchange (CBOE). If you are a seasoned stock trader or a casual investor who dabbles in mutual funds, this book is for you. Learn why stock options, a versatile investment tool that has seen explosive growth over the past few years -- belong in you portfolio. If you're already trading options, this book is also for you. Yo will gain a thorough understanding of option pricing, function and equivalents, which will help you trade more effectively. Adopt more advanced option strategies, like iron condors and double diagonals, to help protect your nest egg and, at the same time, earn healthy returns. Unlike many options guides, this book features step-by-step instructions with extensive examples that outline the costs and benefits along the way -- everything you need to plan and execute trade on your own. Wolfinger shows you how to analyze alternatives and explains why each may be appropriate for a particular investor with specific investment objectives. You'll develop a basis for deciding what is suitable for you and your investment philosophy. A thorough understanding of option basics will help you move on to powerful strategies to earn high returns with limited risk. Wolfinger's suggested strategies help ensure that your portfolio survives a market downturn. Learn how you can use options to: 1. Sell your stock above market value. 2. Turn a non-performing stock into a profitable investment. 3. Protect your holdings against a disastrous bear market and even profit in a bear market. 4. Create steady income. 5. Manage risk. 6. Earn profits more often than those who buy only stock. 7. Limit losses. 8. Own investments that earn a profit when the market moves higher or lower. --