Option Strategies with Two Legs

The following is a list of all option strategies which consist of two legs.

The List

Typical Strategy Groups with Two Legs

There are three main types of option strategies with two legs: spreads, combinations, and strategies which combine an option with a position in the underlying asset.

Option Spreads

Option spreads represent the most common type of option strategies with two legs. Like elsewhere in finance, an option spread combines a long position in one option with a short position in another, similar option. The two legs of an option spread always have the same underlying asset and the same option type (two calls or two puts).

They can have different strikes (vertical spreads), different expiration dates (calendar spreads), or both (diagonal spreads).

For instance, bull call spread (one of vertical spreads) consists of two call options, one long and one short, with same expiration and different strikes:

bull call spread option strategy

A special type of option spreads are ratio spreads and backspreads, where the position sizes of the two legs are different, creating an asymmetric directional exposure.

call ratio spread option strategy

Option Combinations

Unlike spreads, where the two legs typically have the same option type (call or put) and different direction (long and short), with option combinations it is the opposite: one leg is a call and the other is a put, and both are long or both are short.

Typical examples of option combinations are straddles and strangles.

long straddle option strategy

Strategies with Underlying

The best known strategies which combine an option with a position in the underlying are covered call (long underlying and short call option) and protective put (long underlying and long put option).

covered call option strategy

In fact, to some extent, these strategies can be considered a special case of either option spreads or combinations. With some simplification (such as different treatment of dividends), a long position in the underlying is quite like a call option with strike zero. Therefore, a covered call works quite like a bull call spread with very wide gap between strikes (and again, there are dividends, taxes, and other factors which make an underlying position different from a hypothetical zero strike call option).

Other Option Strategies

See also list of option strategies with three legs and four legs.

See list of all option strategies.

By remaining on this website or using its content, you confirm that you have read and agree with the Terms of Use Agreement.

We are not liable for any damages resulting from using this website. Any information may be inaccurate or incomplete. See full Limitation of Liability.

Content may include affiliate links, which means we may earn commission if you buy on the linked website. See full Affiliate and Referral Disclosure.

We use cookies and similar technology to improve user experience and analyze traffic. See full Cookie Policy.

See also Privacy Policy on how we collect and handle user data.

© 2024 Macroption