Option Block 698: Madness

Trading Block: Discovering the plight of liquidity providers at CBOE RMC today. It's ironic timing since Spot Trading just shut down. Potentially changing tick sizes in VIX futures and options. VIX options breakdown is 90/10 standard vs weekly volume. Odd Block: Line in the sand puts in Dick's Sporting Goods Inc (DKS). Buying more Tim in Johnson Controls International (JCI). Size put/call kickers in The Western Union Co (WU) Mail Block: It's madness! The Options Insider: It's time for our annual Options Broker Madness Tournament! Reply/DM to nominate your broker to compete in this year's BrokerBattle. 16 firms can enter....but in the end there can be only one. Get your nominations in now & prepare to battle. Broker Madness starts 3/12. Question from Scott Somer -VolView The $VIX Apr 29-35 call spread is going for about 40 cents, are you more willing to buy or sell it to open? Comment from Oscar Stanko:Hi Mark. I am an avid listener to your options podcasts and wanted to sincerely thank you for your time and energy you've put into creating this valuable (and often humorous) content! Question from BigBlanc -I'm liking the VXX erosion play. Question though - Why does everyone talk puts on this trade? Why not selling calls or call spreads? Or maybe the combo - buying puts and selling calls or call spreads? Any back tests on that? Around the Block: What's coming up this week?