When you talk about Options trading, there is always a good probability that the discussion will shift to delta, gamma, vega, and theta, known as “Greeks,”.

They offer insights about how to measure the sensitivity of an option’s price to various factors.

Take, for instance, the delta measures the sensitivity of an option’s premium corresponding to a change in the price of the underlying asset. 

Theta tells about how the price will change as time elapses.

Similarly, vega is about the volatility of the underlying. 

Gamma measures the rate of change in delta as the price moves. 

Why Options Greeks Matters

That’s easy to answer as you cannot make an option strategy without properly understanding options greeks. When volatility is higher on the IV Percentile, a trader is expected to short vega and when it’s low, they devise a long vega strategy.

In a similar fashion, the role of time value becomes very critical as time passes.  Time becomes a crucial factor when you make a Net Debit strategy. We will explain in the later blogs in detail. 

Mostly, options strategies revolve around theta, delta, and vega. Gamma is used less, but there are specific instances when it works wonderfully.

However, traders should understand that understanding greeks is not everything, it’s just a part of mastering options. You need to know when to make a delta-neutral strategy, calendar spread, or a Jade Lizard strategy. 

Practical understanding of options greeks

Armed with the knowledge of greeks, you can make more informed decisions about which options to trade and when to trade them.  

• Delta tells the probability that an option you’re considering will expire in the money.
• You can measure how much the delta will change when the stock price goes up or down(gamma).
• Know how much value your option might lose each day as it approaches expiration (theta)
• Understand how sensitive an option might be too large price swings in the underlying stock (vega)