macrocephalopod

when ya think about it, its all a matrix.... too bad my matrix game is rusty this ignores the positioning type bets tho. like getting paid for offering liquidity to a desperate seller

Why vix though? It's kinda like being a ES trader or CL... I mean sure you may be able to squeeze out some alpha, but you're fighting with thousands, if not millions of people. Think you'd have more success looking at structuring baskets for dispersion or correlation trades?

yeah wasnt thinking vix. thematic etfs like EM, KRE, anything optionable and liquid, then playing spreads maybe. could target niche products too. dispersion sounds cool but can retail play? like <8k

Not sure what your career goals/plans are and I'm not saying this to rub you the wrong way... But gotta start off and cut your teeth on an institutional desk.

I'd say don't focus on what you can do with 8k right now; and focus what you would do if/when you got allocated 50mil on a desk.

1/2 reminds me that sometimes I need to dream bigger. Honestly still debating the tradeoffs. - other people's money means more capital and sophistication and can get paid for "execution premium"; but heavy stress, and they can outright ban you from cool strats you dig

A jr analyst on an institutional desk will learn in six months what would take you three years of messing around with data on your own. Working on a desk for five years is the perfect preparation for PA trading, if you are still interested in doing that.