Basic Training: Let's talk fundamentals What is Implied Volatility and how it is derived? Why is understanding implied volatility is so important? Historical volatility versus implied volatility. What is skew? Why does skew exist? What is the put wing? What is the call wing? What is investment skew? What are other types of skew? #1 Options question from newcomers - I bought a call option then the stock rallied and my call lost value. Why? How do you evaluate skew? How is skew measured? What is reverse skew? What does reverse skew sometimes indicate? What is term structure? Mail Call: You have questions. We have answers. Question from Nick D. - I am a covered call seller. I have some people recommend that I should sell in-the-money covered calls instead of my usual 5%-10% out-of-the-money calls because of volatility. But why would I want to sell a call that is going to inevitably be called away? What is your thought on this strategy? Question from Charles Midler, Santa Fe, NM - I am thinking about hedging my short stock positions with short put positions. How do the drill instructors view this strategy? Am I on the right track? Can John discuss the margin requirements of such a strategy? Question from Nomad 6 - What are flex options?