Sad to say, but most traders screw up their options trades before they even place them.

And it’s not because they picked the wrong stock, or because the market moved against them, or because they used the wrong strategy.

It’s because they had no plan.

They jumped in on a whim, maybe after seeing a viral tweet or a flashy alert. 

I’ve seen it a thousand times. And in 2025, with zero-day options, nonstop algos, and everyone from TikTok to Telegram feeding bad ideas into the fire, it’s even easier to blow up fast.

But if you want to stop guessing and start winning consistently, there are three simple questions you should ask yourself before every single trade.

Master the three questions that can help you succeed consistently.

The 3 Ws of Options Trading

So, what are these questions, and how can you use them in your strategy?  

They’re what, why, and when. 

Answer them honestly and you’ll put yourself in a position to start trading with intention instead of impulse.

Let’s break this down:

1. The “What”

This is the easy one. It’s the stock or setup you want to trade.

Anyone can find a “what,” like a ticker that’s moving or a name in the headlines. Some small-cap runner you saw mentioned in your Discord.

But here’s the truth: Just knowing what to trade isn’t enough.

Think of it like choosing a car. 

You’ve got a fancy Porsche in the driveway — great. 

But if you don’t know where you’re headed or how to time your route, good luck getting anywhere.

It’s not the car that gets you there, it’s the plan behind the drive.

The stock you choose is just your vehicle. It only works when you combine it with the next two W’s…

2. The “Why”

This is where most traders completely fall apart.

They latch onto a trade because it “feels right” or someone said it’s “about to go.” But they can’t explain why the setup makes sense.

If you can’t tell me, in one or two clear sentences, why this trade deserves your risk, you’re not ready.

Maybe you’ve spotted a gap fill that’s about to close. Maybe you’re playing a pre-earnings run-up. Maybe the stock’s in a clean uptrend and just pulled back to the 20-day.

Whatever the reason, you must have one.

And no, “because the stock’s hot” isn’t a reason. Neither is, “I’ve got a hunch.”

Your “why” is your argument. It’s the research. The logic. The story behind the trade. 

And when you’ve got it dialed in, everything gets easier:

• You know how long to hold.
  
• You know when to bail.
  
• You’re not panicking at every red candle.

Without a strong “why,” you’re just gambling in a fancier casino.

3. The “When”

Options are a ticking clock.

You can be right on the direction and still lose money if your timing’s off.

I’ve seen smart traders hit the right move a week too early and still end up with zero.

So, don’t just focus on what stock you’re trading or why it could move. You’ve got to think about when it’s most likely to happen.

Here are a few tips that still hold up in 2025:

• Look for key levels — support, resistance, breakout zones.
  
• Trade with the trend. Don’t fight it.
  
• Don’t chase deep out-of-the-money calls or puts unless you’ve got a real edge.
  
• If you expect a big move soon, weekly contracts can give you serious leverage.
  
• If the move might take time, pay up for contracts with more days to expiration.

Here’s one of the best timing tools I still use every week: Sit out when the setup isn’t perfect.

Just because a stock is moving doesn’t mean it’s your moment. Sometimes no trade is the best trade.

You want to trade like a sniper, not a machine gunner.

Why the 3 Ws Matter More Than Ever

2025 isn’t forgiving. It’s fast, it’s crowded, and it’s full of distractions, from inflation concerns to tariff squabbles.

That means every time you hit “buy,” you better be able to answer:

• What am I trading?
  
• Why am I trading it?
  
• When is this move likely to happen — and does my contract give me enough time?

One W isn’t good enough.

Two Ws might get you lucky now and then.

But three Ws are how you go from reckless to reliable, from part-time dabbler to full-time threat.

You don’t need to be perfect. You will have losing trades. That’s just the game.

But if you start every setup with these three questions — and answer them with honesty, logic, and clarity — you’ll trade with confidence.

That’s the edge so many traders never develop.

Now you’ve got it.

Go make it count.

Stay street smart,
Jeff Zananiri

P.S. You’ve seen the headlines. You’ve seen the gains. Now it’s your turn.

On Thursday, June 19, at 8 p.m. ET, I’m pulling back the curtain on one of the fastest-growing opportunities in the market right now:

Zero-Day Options.

These contracts move fast. They hit big. And when you know how to trade them the right way — they can flip a quiet Thursday into a five-figure day.

👉 [Save your seat now — before it fills up.]