Revenge trading is a type of options trading often employed by traders who the market has wronged. It can be a dangerous strategy and lead to huge losses if not executed correctly.
When revenge trading, a trader will attempt to take vengeance on the market by buying or selling options with the hope of profiting from a sudden movement in the underlying security. It is essential to exercise caution when trading revenge options as it is so dangerous.
Wait for the right opportunity
One of the best ways to avoid revenge trading is to wait for the right opportunity. It would be best only to trade when you have a solid plan and a good understanding of the potential risks involved. Revenge trading is often based on emotion, so staying calm and rational when making trading decisions is essential.
Use tight stops
Another way to avoid revenge trading is to use tight stops. It will help you protect your capital if the trade goes against you. Remember, revenge trades often involve high-risk positions, so it is vital to have a solid stop loss in place in case things go wrong.
Diversify your portfolio
If you feel angry and frustrated after a bad trade, it can be tempting to take revenge on the market. However, this is not a wise strategy. Instead, it would be best to diversify your portfolio and spread your risk across multiple trades. It will help minimize your losses if one of your trades goes wrong.
Use limit orders
When trading revenge options, it is essential to use limit orders. It will help you get into and out of the trade at the right price. If you are buying revenge options, use a buy limit order. If you are selling revenge options, use a sell limit order.
Avoid high-risk trades
Revenge trading is often based on high-risk trades. For this reason, it is crucial to avoid trading options that have high-risk potential, as it will help you reduce your exposure to significant losses.
Use stop and reverse orders
Stop and reverse orders can be a helpful way to protect your profits in case the trade goes against you. When using this type of order, you will place a stop-loss order at the point where you want to exit the trade. If the trade moves in your favour, you can then use a buy stop order to take profits at the desired price.
Use trailing stops
Trailing stops are another way to protect your profits if the trade goes against you. With this type of order, you will set a stop loss at a predetermined percentage below the current market price. It will help lock in your profits and limit your losses if the trade moves against you.
Use a hedging strategy
Hedging can be a helpful way to protect your portfolio from significant losses. When hedging, you will use a position in related security to offset the risk of your original trade. It can help minimize your losses if the trade goes wrong.
Use options spreads
Another way to reduce your risk when trading revenge options is to use options spreads. It involves buying and selling options with different strike prices and expiration dates, which will help you limit your losses if the trade goes against you.
Avoid over-trading
One of the biggest dangers of revenge trading is over-trading, which can lead to significant losses in a short period. For this reason, it is vital to resist the temptation to trade too much when you are feeling angry and frustrated.
Use a trading journal
A trading journal can be a helpful way to track your trades and keep track of your emotions. It will help you identify any patterns that may lead to revenge trading.
Get help from a professional trader
If you find it challenging to control your emotions, seek advice from a professional trader. It will be helpful in the long run. A professional trader can help you develop a solid trading plan and stay disciplined when trading revenge options.
Now that you know how to avoid revenge trading, why not try trading options with Saxo?