I like to teach. I like to get up in front of groups and explain the inner workings of the options market so people just like you can profit from options. I’ve been accused of talking too much. But I like to make sure that when you have a question, you get a complete answer. Whether they’re novices with questions about how to get started, or professionals who are looking for a way to enhance their own trading systems, the questions people ask have helped me improve my teaching and my services. As you get started with ODDS High Accuracy: Monthlys, I encourage you to let me know if you have questions about the service or the recommendations. Now that you’re on board, I thought you might benefit from hearing some of the most commonly asked questions about this service, along with detailed instructions on how to use the service.
Frequently Asked Questions, Answers, and Instructions
- What exactly is ODDS High Accuracy: Monthlys?
- Do you email me the recommendations?
- Upon what trading methodology is ODDS High Accuracy: Monthlys based?
- Are you in the market all the time, or are there lengthy dead periods?
- How do you identify your trades?
- What does an option spread recommendation look like?
- If I get filled on the spread recommendation, what do I do next?
- If I do not get filled on the spread recommendation, what do I do next?
- What type of exit instructions do you give for spread trades?
- What is the typical duration of a trade?
- How many option ETF trades are typically open at any one time?
- Is there a refund policy?
- Is there a performance guarantee, and if so, how does it work?
- Can I implement the ODDS High Accuracy: Monthlys recommendations using an online brokerage?
- Are there any qualifications required?
- Does this require margin?
- How much money do I need to use ODDS High Accuracy: Monthlys?
- Where can I get more background information on options to help me understand the basics?
- What if I still have questions regarding the ODDS High Accuracy: Monthlys service?
Q. What exactly is ODDS High Accuracy: Monthlys?
A. It is a weekly premium recommendation service. The recommendations are posted to a private, secure web site every Friday morning. [We trade on Friday’s to take advantage of the “weekend effect” in options.] Recommendations will be tracked in an open position web page with up to date follow-up instructions. We will also email “Special Alerts” that will provide important updates in between the weekly recommendations, if conditions warrant.
Q. Do you email me the recommendations?
A. email is convenient, its reliability is not 100%. Instead, we post the recommendations to a private, secure web site.
If there ever is a need to provide you with an interim update, we will post the update to the web site.
So it’s best for you to be in the habit of checking the web site every day for any updates.
Q. Upon what trading methodology is ODDS High Accuracy: Monthlys based?
A. The methodology is based almost entirely on the high probability index option trading system I’ve been teaching for over two decades.
The details of this particular method were taught from start to finish in my Options Wizardry From A to Z course, which was first offered to the public in 1998. Over the years I added several minor enhancements to make the trading process even easier.
And my basic high probability method has a multi-decade history of success. Winning percentages over 90% tell how well the results have been.
Q. Are you in the market all the time, or are there lengthy dead periods?
A. As stated previously, except in rare circumstances, we expect to have a position in the market at all times. This means that, as we exit one position, we will likely be entering a new position. This is easily handled, as long as you pay detailed attention to the instructions. That means being prepared and making sure you understand what it is that you need to do ahead of time.
As noted above, we don’t anticipate that there would be lengthy periods where we’re idle. If, however, the potential profits from doing these option trades is so low that the profits wouldn’t even pay your commissions, we will elect to stand aside. Always log in to see all instructions or look for changes every trading day.
Q. How do you identify your trades?
A. actually a relatively simple process, once you know what to do. Basically, we use the exact high probability method I’ve taught in my courses for over 20 years. Although the calculations are easy, they can be tedious. And for newcomers, they can seem overwhelming.
Every Friday morning (if there are holidays, such as Christmas and Thanksgiving, that schedule may change) I’ll give you the exact trade to take, along with the exact entry price.
Q. What does an option spread recommendation look like?
A.Here’s an example of an options ETF trade recommendation:
At the top is the date. Below that are the table headings. Let’s go left to right. First is the ticker for the underlying asset. An underlying asset is the thing upon which the options are based. In almost all instances, the asset is going to the SPDR® S&P 500® ETF (ticker: SPY). After that comes the ETF price. Next are the two factors each trade needs to meet before being considered: Return Potential and Volatility Escalation. If either of these are yellow or red, we will not issue a recommendation.
Last but not least is the trade itself. This is a 2-way spread, otherwise known as an put credit spread. There are 2 components to the spread. We are selling a put and and buying a further out-of-the-money put. Pay attention to the expiration date which will always be a monthly expiration, plus the net credit. The net credit is very important. You want to be filled on the trade but only if you can get the minimum net credit or better. DO NOT accept less than the minimum net credit shown. Place all orders as ‘limit orders’.
Q. If I get filled on the spread recommendation, what do I do next?
A. One of the nice things about this service is that I do all of the work for you. If a new recommendation is filled, I will always follow up with exit instructions that you can give your broker.
I post follow-up instructions to a private, secure Open Positions page that you can access any time you wish. Here is what the Open Position page would have looked like the morning after the recommendation was issued:
At the top, you’ll find the date. Below that is the table with the open positions. We display the date, the ETF ticker symbol, the recommendation (including the recommended credit), the fill price, the closing price of the spread the prior trading day, the closing price of the ETF, and finally any instructions. Notice the new trade given says ‘pending’. Once the trade is confirmed as filled, the fill price will be posted where you see ‘pending’.
If there is ever a situation in between our regularly scheduled weekly update, I will notify you by posting new complete instructions telling you exactly what trades to exit and what trades to enter. Just remember to log in EVERY trading day to see if any instructions have changed.
Q. If I do not get filled on the spread recommendation, what do I do next?
A.The instructions are posted each Friday morning. If you do not get filled at the minimum net credit limit price shown, continue to try to get filled at the recommended net credit limit until the next recommendation comes out, unless the Instructions in the Open Positions page say to do otherwise. Be sure to check the Open Position page every trading morning for any new updates.
Q. What type of exit instructions do you give for spread trades?
A. I always tell people that it’s important to treat trading like a business — and I do! The important thing to remember about exiting is that I’m always looking out for you.
Each time we need to exit a position prior to expiration, I will post the instructions on the Open Positions page no later than 8:45 a.m. ET, to be sure you are aware that a position needs to be closed down. That said, I urge you to get into the habit of logging in daily to see if updated instructions have been provided.
Q. What is the typical duration of a trade?
A. We look for option trades whose expiration date is anywhere from two to seven weeks. That does not mean we remain in the trade that long. Sometimes we close out a position prior to expiration if the profits are too juicy to pass up.
Q. How many option ETF trades are typically open at any one time?
A. On average, the number of simultaneously open option trades peaks at 6.
Q. Is there a refund policy or performance guarantee?
A. Yes! If you purchased ODDS High Accuracy: Monthlys at any promotional discount, the service is NON-REFUNDABLE at anytime, due to the discounted price.
However, if you purchased ODDS High Accuracy: Monthlys at the full retail price for one year, we guarantee that the recommendations provided to you will be profitable over the one-year subscription term, or you are eligible for a full refund of the purchase price. Because the performance guarantee is intended only for customers who participate in the trades, you do have to meet the following requirements: all recommendations must be followed and appropriate account statements must be provided upon request.
This subscription service cannot be canceled prior to the expiration of the 1-year term or 2-year term if applicable. The refund eligibility period is not forever; you must request the refund within one month of the end of your 1-year subscription term. The refund eligibility period shall not exceed 13 months beyond the original enrollment date. (*If you purchased a longer subscription term, your refund guarantee would be at the end of that term, and only for 30 days following the end of that term).
Q. Can I implement the ODDS High Accuracy: Monthlys recommendations using an online brokerage?
A.Yes, most online brokers now give you the capability to enter all the necessary information to implement the trades correctly. Just make sure your online brokerage provides you the ability to enter your order with the correct data (i.e.: 4-way/credit spread or iron condor, which market and symbols), emphasize the “net credit” amount (never accept less than the minimum credit), and place as a “limit” order good for the day only. If you are not filled that day, continue to log in to check instructions, and if nothing is said to the contrary, continue to try for a fill at the exact parameters given each day until the next new trade is given. Do not continue after that.
Q. Are there any qualifications required?
A. There are no qualifications required to subscribe. If you want to subscribe in order to learn, that’s fine with us. But if you want to trade the recommendations, the trading level required for the service is usually a Level 4. That’s the level required to trade the credit spreads, which nearly all of our customers qualify for. Trading the Volatility ETF portion of the service requires the same suitability as investing in an ETF.
Q. Does this require margin?
A.Yes. When you put on a trade, you post margin representing the maximum risk in the trade. When the trade is closed out, your margin is released.
Q. How much money do I need to use ODDS High Accuracy: Monthlys?
A.We don’t have a minimum account size recommendation. As stated
above, there are no requirements for you to trade the recommendations. You can subscribe to this service just to learn. If, however, you do trade, you’ll need to open an account.
One thing to be aware of for those of you contemplating trading with a small account: commissions may eat up a disproportionate share of your profits.
Q. Where can I get more background information on options to help me understand the these trade recommendations?
A. I give it to you as a special gift! Included with your subscription to ODDS High Accuracy: Monthlys is a copy of my exclusive High Probability Secrets of the Stock Indexes seminar.
This seminar was priced at $3,000, but is no longer available elsewhere at any price. This DVD contains the secrets and strategies that let you apply amazingly accurate, near-perfect credit spreads to the highly lucrative stock index markets, and teaches you how it’s done.
Q. What if I still have questions regarding the ODDS High Accuracy: Monthlys service?
A. One of the benefits of the ODDS High Accuracy: Monthlys service is that I have a highly trained staff to help you with any questions you have about how to act on my advice and recommendations. They don’t just answer the phones to take address corrections. They also trade. I encourage you to take advantage of this service by calling the Technical Support Hotline at 859-224-4424, or by sending an email to support@donfishback.com. The support staff will help you with any additional questions that you may have.
We do ask, however, that you take the time to go through ALL of the Frequently Asked Questions & Instructions first. Most of the time you will find your questions answered there.
There you have the answers to the questions I am most often asked. I hope that these help you get started using ODDS High Accuracy: Monthlys and that they answered all the questions you may have had. If not, let us know!
–Don Fishback
Important information:
Fishback Management and Research, Inc. (FMR), its principles and employees reserve the right to, and indeed do, trade stocks, mutual funds, options and futures for their own accounts. FMR, its principals and employees will not knowingly trade in advance of the general dissemination of trading ideas and recommendations. There is, however, a possibility that when trading for these proprietary accounts, orders may be entered, which are opposite or otherwise different from the trades and positions described herein. This may occur as a result of the use of different trading systems, trading with a different degree of leverage, or testing of new trading systems, among other reasons. The results of any such trading are confidential and are not available for inspection.
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Due to the number of sources from which the information contained in ODDS High Accuracy Options is obtained, and the inherent risks of distribution, there may be omissions or inaccuracies in such information and services. FMR, its employees and contributors take every reasonable step to insure the integrity of the data. However, FMR, its owners and employees and contributors cannot and do not warrant the accuracy, completeness, currentness or fitness for a particular purpose of the information contained in ODDS High Accuracy Options.
OPTIONS INVOLVE RISK AND ARE NOT SUITABLE FOR ALL INVESTORS
PAST PERFORMANCE DOES NOT GUARANTEE FUTURE RESULTS
Prior to buying or selling an option, a person must receive a copy of Characteristics and Risks of Standardized Options. You can access the Options Disclosure Document at
http://www.optionsclearing.com/about/publications/character-risks.jsp
SOME OF THE TRADE EXAMPLES IN OUR COURSES AND NEWSLETTERS AND NEARLY ALL OF THE HISTORICAL EXAMPLES CONTAINED IN THE MARKETING MATERIALS INCLUDE HYPOTHETICAL EXAMPLES FOR ILLUSTRATION PURPOSES. Although we do not provide any futures information, the CFTC provides an excellent description of the limitations of hypothetical trades and, therefore, we are providing it to you:
HYPOTHETICAL OR SIMULATED PERFORMANCE RESULTS HAVE CERTAIN INHERENT LIMITATIONS. UNLIKE AN ACTUAL PERFORMANCE RECORD, SIMULATED RESULTS DO NOT REPRESENT ACTUAL TRADING. ALSO, SINCE THE TRADES HAVE NOT ACTUALLY BEEN EXECUTED, THE RESULTS MAY HAVE UNDER- OR OVER-COMPENSATED FOR THE IMPACT, IF ANY, OF CERTAIN MARKET FACTORS, SUCH AS LACK OF LIQUIDITY. SIMULATED TRADING PROGRAMS IN GENERAL ARE ALSO SUBJECT TO THE FACT THAT THEY ARE DESIGNED WITH THE BENEFIT OF HINDSIGHT. NO REPRESENTATION IS BEING MADE THAT ANY ACCOUNT WILL OR IS LIKELY TO ACHIEVE PROFITS OR LOSSES SIMILAR TO THOSE SHOWN.
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