Long call

The simplest bullish option: defined risk, unlimited upside, and a bill for time decay every day you are wrong.

The view: Up, and soon enough to beat theta.

Construction

LegQtyStrike at 100 spot
Long call1100
Loading chart…
Max profit
Unlimited
Max loss
-302
Breakeven
103.02
Net cash
-302
Priced at 100 spot, 25% vol, 30 days left. Move the sliders.Open in the calculator

When it fits

You want exposure to a rise without putting up the cash for the shares, and you can name a date by which you expect it. The premium is the most you can lose, which makes this the usual first option anyone buys.

What goes wrong

  • Time decay works against you every day, and accelerates as expiry approaches.
  • Being right about direction but late is the same as being wrong.
  • A fall in implied volatility can lose you money even if the underlying rises.

Try it properly

The chart above is the real pricing model, limited to three sliders. To change strikes, add legs, switch to futures, or price it against your own volatility assumption, open it in the options P&L calculator — the link under the chart carries this exact position across.

Education, not advice. Payoffs ignore commission, bid-ask spread, assignment risk and financing.

  • directional
  • long premium
  • beginner
  • theta

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