The Options Funding Journal

Strategy, market analysis, and product updates.

Practical writing on funded options trading, evaluation strategy, and what is actually working in 2026. Honest comparisons, verified facts.

0dte optionsoptions scalping

Spot 0DTE Trend Days in 2026 With 4 Key Signals

Learn how to identify 0DTE trend days early using initial balance breakouts, market breadth, and VWAP slope to trade SPY and QQQ options with precision.

Options Funding EditorialSep 26, 2026
options tradingreverse iron condor setup

Reverse Iron Condor Setup Rules for 2026

Master the reverse iron condor setup in 2026 with strict delta rules, volatility screening, and risk limits designed for disciplined options prop traders.

Options Funding EditorialSep 23, 2026
zebra options strategyoptions trading

ZEBRA Options Strategy Setup Guide for 2026

Master the zebra options strategy in 2026. Learn strike selection, zero extrinsic math, and execution rules to replace stock with strictly defined risk.

Options Funding EditorialSep 20, 2026
options volumeopen interest

Options Volume vs Open Interest Guide for 2026

Learn the real difference between options volume vs open interest in 2026, spot institutional positioning, and protect your capital against spread slippage.

Options Funding EditorialSep 19, 2026
vertical spread widthoptions trading

Why 5 Dollar Spreads Beat Narrow Wings in 2026

Learn why a 5 dollar vertical spread width outperforms narrow wings in 2026 by cutting execution slippage, smoothing gamma, and protecting prop account equity.

Options Funding EditorialSep 18, 2026
options expected moveoptions trading

How to Calculate Options Expected Move in 2026

Learn how to calculate the options expected move using ATM straddles and implied volatility formulas to manage trading risk and select better strikes in 2026.

Options Funding EditorialSep 15, 2026
options tradingimplied volatility

IV Rank vs IV Percentile: 2026 Options Guide

Compare IV rank vs IV percentile to price options accurately. Learn the formulas, avoid outlier distortions, and align your setups with real market volatility.

Options Funding EditorialSep 14, 2026
intraday vs swing optionsovernight gap risk

Intraday vs Swing Options: Overnight Gap Risk in 2026

Compare intraday vs swing options trading. Learn how overnight gap risk affects trailing drawdown, contract selection, and prop firm payout rules.

Options Funding EditorialSep 12, 2026
iron condoriron butterfly

Iron Butterfly vs Iron Condor Guide for 2026

Compare iron butterfly vs iron condor strategies for 2026. Master strike selection, Greek exposures, adjustment tactics, and funded trading account rules.

Options Funding EditorialSep 10, 2026
call debit spreadsoptions trading

Why Call Debit Spreads Lag on Fast Stock Rallies in 2026

Learn why call debit spreads lag during fast stock breakouts, how short leg vega and delta compress profits, and how to manage vertical spreads efficiently.

Options Funding EditorialSep 8, 2026
SPYDay Trading

SPY Opening Range Breakout Rules for 2026 Traders

Master the SPY opening range breakout strategy for 2026 with exact rules on timeframes, contract selection, and risk management for funded traders.

Options Funding EditorialSep 7, 2026
volatility risk premiumoptions trading

Volatility Risk Premium Strategy Guide for 2026

Master the volatility risk premium strategy in 2026. Learn strike selection, position sizing, risk controls, and execution rules for funded options traders.

Options Funding EditorialSep 6, 2026
spx optionstail risk hedging

SPX Tail Risk Hedging Strategy Guide for 2026

Master spx tail risk hedging to protect your portfolio from crashes. Learn how index put options, backspreads, and collars safeguard prop firm drawdowns in 2026.

Options Funding EditorialSep 4, 2026
vanna and charm optionsSPX credit spreads

Vanna and Charm Options: Trading SPX Spreads in 2026

Learn how vanna and charm options Greeks impact SPX credit spreads, drive dealer hedging flows, and protect your capital from sudden trailing drawdown breaches.

Options Funding EditorialSep 3, 2026
spx vs spy optionspin risk

SPX vs SPY Options: Pin Risk and Settlement in 2026

Compare SPX and SPY options mechanics. Learn how cash settlement, European exercise, and Section 1256 tax rules protect options traders from pin risk.

Options Funding EditorialSep 2, 2026
options tradingput ratio spread

Put Ratio Spread Strategy Guide for 2026

Master the put ratio spread strategy in 2026. Discover strike selection, risk management, payoff mechanics, and execution rules for funded options traders.

Options Funding EditorialAug 31, 2026
gamma scalping strategyoptions trading

Gamma Scalping Strategy: 2026 Setup Guide

Learn how a gamma scalping strategy extracts profit from market swings. Master delta hedging, Greek management, and trade execution for funded accounts.

Options Funding EditorialAug 26, 2026
risk reversal options strategyoptions trading strategies

Risk Reversal Options Strategy Guide for 2026

Master the risk reversal options strategy for 2026. Learn how to trade volatility skew, manage the Greeks, and execute zero-cost directional options trades.

Options Funding EditorialAug 25, 2026
options tradingbroken wing butterfly

Broken Wing Butterfly Setup Guide for 2026 Traders

Learn how the broken wing butterfly setup eliminates risk on one side, protects trailing drawdown, and builds consistent returns in options prop trading.

Options Funding EditorialAug 21, 2026
options tradingimplied volatility

Avoid the High IV Options Trap in 2026

Master how to avoid the high IV options trap in 2026. Understand Vega crush, compare spread mechanics, and protect your capital in prop trading evaluations.

Options Funding EditorialAug 17, 2026
realized volatility vs implied volatilityoptions trading strategies

Realized Volatility vs Implied Volatility in 2026

Master realized volatility vs implied volatility in 2026. Discover how to identify volatility inversions and execute long gamma strategies on funded accounts.

Options Funding EditorialAug 16, 2026
options tradingoption buying vs option selling

Option Buying vs Option Selling for Income in 2026

Compare option buying vs option selling for consistent income in 2026. Learn how win rates, theta decay, and tail risk affect your trading performance.

Options Funding EditorialAug 14, 2026
LEAPS theta decayfunded options account

5 Rules for LEAPS Theta Decay in 2026 Funded Accounts

Learn how to manage LEAPS theta decay in funded trading accounts while preserving trailing drawdown buffers across Growth and Express plans.

Options Funding EditorialAug 11, 2026
OPEX expiration pinningcredit spreads

OPEX Expiration Pinning and Credit Spreads in 2026

Understand how OPEX expiration pinning works, how market makers delta hedge near strike price clusters, and how credit spread traders manage pinning risk.

Options Funding EditorialAug 5, 2026
credit spreadsoptions trading

Closing Credit Spreads at 50% Profit Beats Expiration

Closing credit spreads early at 50 percent profit boosts capital velocity while protecting options evaluation accounts from sudden late stage gamma risk exposure.

Options Funding EditorialAug 1, 2026
calendar spread volatility skewoptions trading strategies

Master Calendar Spread Volatility Skew in 2026

Mastering calendar spread volatility skew helps traders evaluate term structure and strike pricing to build higher probability options strategies.

Options Funding EditorialJul 26, 2026
0DTE SPX gamma riskoptions trading

5 Rules for 0DTE SPX Gamma Risk in 2026

Learn 5 practical rules to manage 0DTE SPX gamma risk, protect your trailing drawdown limits, and execute disciplined index option strategies.

Options Funding EditorialJul 24, 2026
390 order rule optionsoptions scalping

390 Order Rule Guide for Options Scalpers in 2026

Learn how the 390 order rule options limit impacts active scalpers, how exchange algorithms count modifications, and how to maintain priority fills.

Options Funding EditorialJul 22, 2026
options tradingoversold tech stocks

Trading Oversold Tech Options in 2026

Learn how options traders are capitalizing on oversold tech stocks in 2026 after heavy capex selloffs punished major technology and software companies.

Options Funding EditorialJul 18, 2026
trailing drawdownstatic drawdown

Trailing vs static drawdown explained for options traders

Trailing drawdown chases your equity peak. Static lock freezes at starting balance. Here is how each behaves and why the difference matters for funded options traders.

Options FundingMay 16, 2026
options prop firmfunded options trading

Best Options Prop Firms 2026: An Honest Comparison

Five options prop firms compared side by side. Verified pricing, drawdown rules, payout speed, and the activation-fee structures that cost traders more than they expect.

Options FundingMay 16, 2026

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