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.
Adam's new book, "Irrational Together: The Social Forces That Invisibly Shape Our Economic Behavior" (University of Chicago Press) Investopedia Buy or Sell Options? Which Is Better? selling options vs buying options
Selling an option (also called "writing") means you take on the to trade if the buyer chooses to exercise their right. Buying an option (a call if you're bullish
: 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. but not the obligation