Can intraday trading options really make money? The heartfelt truth from a 30-year trader.

Options trading has been extremely popular in recent years, and many people are thinking about using a small amount of money to leverage large positions. But I have seen too many newbies fall for this.

To put it simply: Options are contracts that give you the right (but not the obligation) to buy or sell an asset at a certain price. One options contract = 100 shares. Buy a call when the price goes up, buy a put when the price goes down, that's the basic logic.

Sounds simple, but what about reality?

There are three key issues:

1. High Leverage = Double-Edged Sword You can control a large position with a small amount of money, but the losses can be severe when things go wrong. If a stock drops by 50%, you can still hold on, but Options could go to zero directly.

2. Time is Decaying Options will expire. If the stock price doesn't move before the expiration of a one-month call, you will lose money. This is called time value decay, and many people haven't calculated it clearly.

3. Volatility is the devil The price volatility of options is much greater than that of stocks. With the same entry of 100, the price fluctuation of options could be 5 times that of stocks. A delay of just one second in reaction can lead to unrealized losses.

To avoid casualties, you must pay attention to these points:

• Set a stop-loss order, don't fantasize about breaking even.
• Do not go all in, invest only what you can afford to lose.
• Keep a trading log, summarize each trade.
• Use technical analysis to find entry points (moving averages, Bollinger Bands, RSI are all fine)
• Have a clear entry and exit plan, don't make last-minute decisions.

There's another pitfall: The United States stipulates that if you trade ≥4 times within a week, you are considered a pattern day trader, and your account must have more than $25,000, otherwise it will be frozen. Don't get penalized.

Choosing a broker should also focus on quality - low fees, smooth platform, reliable customer service, and regulatory protection.

Final words: Options trading can be profitable, but the premise is that you really understand the strategy, can manage risks, and can control your emotions. Most newbies fail not because they lack clarity in concepts, but because they are ineffective in execution. Don't think about doubling your investment quickly; think about surviving in the long term.