Buying an option (a call if you're bullish or a put if you're bearish) gives you the , but not the obligation, to trade a stock at a fixed price.

: You are Short Theta (time is your enemy) and Long Gamma (you benefit from explosive price moves). Selling Options (Short Premium)

: Your risk is strictly capped at the premium you paid . Even if the stock crashes to zero, you can't lose more than your initial investment.

: Generally lower (less than 50%) . For a buyer to win, the stock must move significantly and quickly in the right direction to overcome the cost of the premium and time decay.