Introduction
My name is Moises, and I’ve spent the last several years mastering large cap options trading. Like many traders, I started with humble beginnings and faced numerous setbacks before finding what worked for me. After four years of dedicated trading alongside my full-time career, I’ve developed a consistent approach focused on high-beta stocks trading over $100. In this case study, I’ll share my journey, the specific strategies I use, and the hard-learned lessons that transformed my trading from inconsistent to reliably profitable.
Trader Talks QnA
What got you to trade and begin with?
For me getting into trading was kind of you know I think a lot of people start off saying that they’re going to invest. For me I started off working a part-time job at the time before college in 2014. I was like 19-20 and I was like hey the stock market seems like a really cool thing. I drink Starbucks all the time, so I’m gonna buy shares of that. I opened a Scottrade account and the night before I got my notification saying hey your funds are ready, a Yahoo Finance article comes up saying GoPro stock is going up like 60%. I blindly bought GoPro and went to work. The next morning I checked it and I was up like a paycheck. I couldn’t believe what just happened.
How did your early trading journey unfold?
I traded like Box and other hot IPOs. All you had to do was buy hold and it goes up. I made money hand over fist and thought I didn’t even need to go to school. But then I got caught in my first gap down where news on China came out and my heavily long high beta portfolio bled back down to where I started. I put trading on the back burner to focus on school. A couple years later after graduation, I built my account back through saving and working but it was once again a disaster. The first full year I really went through immense pain was 2018 trying all types of blind trades.
When did you have your turning point?
Early 2019 was a major inflection point. I remember when I was in college there was a guy who sat next to me trading GEVO. I’d lost so much money on GEVO! He was in the Tim Sykes challenge chat. I randomly saw a YouTube video about him where he passed $100k in profits. I had seen this guy lose painfully in person, so I knew it wasn’t an infomercial. That gave me energy to seek better education. I got back into it and luckily caught a large swing trade on a phase 2 or 3 bio stock that rejuvenated my account toward the end of 2019.
How did you achieve consistency in your trading?
I tracked all my trades on TraderView. What I realized was I was very consistent with high beta stocks over $100 – Roku, Tesla, Amazon, Google, Netflix – whether on calls or puts. I found I actually enjoyed trading those. Technical analysis was a huge game changer once I realized there are nuances to it like relative strength and news. Another key factor was connecting with other large cap options traders on Twitter. I reached out to about 50 people to eventually build rapport with a couple who helped validate my setups.
What was your biggest struggle even after becoming consistent?
I would take small losses here and there – hundred dollar cut, 200 cut, 400 cut – then make $1,500 profit. The struggle was mental confidence. Even when it worked out, in the moment I was unconfident. I remember one painful trade on SHOP where I didn’t realize Shopify had a wide spread between bid and ask. I sized up thinking I had a perfect setup but got filled at a terrible price, losing immediately. It left me fried and mentally drained. It’s hard to explain to non-traders how painful these moments can be.
What specific trading rules have you developed?
One of my biggest rules is don’t trade midday. Every hour past the open, your edge fades incrementally. Night before, have my game plan ready. If it’s there at the open, follow your plan. If not, don’t force trades. I shut off the computer around 10:30, go for a walk, and maybe check back around 2:45-3pm for next day setups. Another rule: be consistent with your losers. I risk a consistent dollar amount (around $500) because my average winner is about $1,500. I also size according to the stock type – larger dollar positions closer to the money on large cap options, more cautious sizing on penny stocks.
Moises Trade Statistics
Through disciplined application of my large cap options trading strategy and careful risk management, I’ve transformed from a frustrated beginner to a consistently profitable trader. Here are key statistics from my journey:
- Trading since 2014 (10+ years experience)
- Consistent profitability achieved in 2020
- Risk per trade: ~$500 average loss
- Average winner: ~$1,500 (3:1 risk-reward ratio)
Key Trading Insights from Moises
Here are the most valuable lessons I’ve learned through my large cap options trading journey that can help other traders avoid my early mistakes:
- Track every trade meticulously – it reveals what you’re actually good at versus what you think you’re good at
- Determine your edge and focus exclusively on those setups (for me, high-beta stocks over $100)
- Time of day matters significantly – don’t trade just because you’re at your desk
- Consistent dollar risk management beats percentage-based risk for psychological stability
Moises Trading Strategy
My approach to large cap options trading combines technical analysis with disciplined risk management tailored specifically to high-beta stocks trading over $100. Here’s how I execute my strategy:
Pre-Market Planning
I eat dinner and then snip charts, posting my exact thought process on Twitter. This creates accountability and ensures I’m thinking clearly. I identify potential setups in large cap stocks showing strength relative to the market, often focusing on breakout patterns with confirmation from relative strength indicators. I specifically look for volatility expansion in high-beta names like Tesla, Amazon, Google, and Netflix.
Trade Execution
I execute primarily during the first hour of trading. For large cap options, I size up by taking positions closer to the money rather than increasing contract count. I always set hard stops based on the stock’s typical intraday range, usually allowing 30-40% movement before cutting losses. On penny stocks, I’m much more cautious with position size due to liquidity risks, especially avoiding OTC pumps where I’ve been trapped before.
Risk Management Protocol
I risk a consistent dollar amount per trade (around $500) rather than a percentage of account size. This creates psychological stability – knowing my average winner is $1,500 gives me confidence in my 3:1 risk-reward ratio. I use Cobra Trading’s auto-liquidation as a safety net but never intend to hit that maximum loss. After significant losses, I take mental breaks – go for a walk, get coffee – rather than trying to immediately make back losses.
Moises Tools
These tools form the backbone of my large cap options trading business, helping me analyze, execute, and track my performance:
- TraderView – For meticulous trade tracking and post-trade analysis
- Cobra Trading – Primary brokerage with fast execution and excellent short locate availability
- Twitter/X – Networking with other successful traders and sharing setups
- Charting platforms – For technical analysis of large cap stocks and options
Common Trading Mistakes to Avoid
Here are the most costly mistakes I made during my journey that you should avoid in your large cap options trading:
- Trading after-hours without understanding the liquidity risks – this burned me repeatedly
- Forcing trades outside your proven edge – I would trade midday just because I was at my desk
- Not checking bid-ask spreads on specific stocks – cost me dearly on that SHOP trade
- Trying to make back losses immediately – leads to compounding mistakes
Conclusion
My journey with large cap options trading has been defined by patience, meticulous tracking, and the willingness to focus exclusively on what works. If I could give one piece of advice to my 2018 self, it would be: “Invest in quality education, whether paid or through building relationships with clean traders on Twitter.” Trading isn’t about finding the perfect setup – it’s about understanding your edge, respecting risk, and having the discipline to execute only when conditions align with your proven strategy. What’s one rule you could implement today that would immediately improve your trading consistency? Share your thoughts below!