Options trading on etrade- what can I do with level 1? !?

I have no options experience and I am trying to understand what the differences in the various levels are. I was hoping I could use cash to back calls and puts with level 1 but this does not seem to be the case. Can anyone provide details?

Also, since e-trade only allows upgrades every 90 days, I’m looking for a broker which will allow me to back calls and puts with cash immediately after opening the account.

Disclaimer: I realize these are high risk investments which could result in a complete loss. That’s what I’m looking for and I am investing only risk capital in them, as I do with the Forex.

Thank you.
I understand a ‘greater than initial investment loss’ possibility when writing options but when buying calls and puts backed with cash is this still possible?

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This entry was posted on Friday, April 30th, 2010 at 7:09 am and is filed under day trading options. You can follow any responses to this entry through the RSS 2.0 feed. You can leave a response, or trackback from your own site.

2 Responses to “Options trading on etrade- what can I do with level 1? !?”

  1. bobby769 Says:

    options trading can result in losses greater than the principle investment. So it could result in more than a complete loss.

    Just sayin’.

  2. Radar Man Says:

    Thinkorswim has no levels. You can short a call or put right from day one. There is no test to pass or wait time.
    When you are long a call or put the max risk is the premium you paid but when you sell the option you has unlimited risk if its not hedged. I personally don’t like naked trading due to the margin requirements. I do use a combination of long and short options as part of a credit or debit spread.

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