Best Options Trader to Follow

Before diving into the best traders, it's essential to highlight why following successful options traders can be such a game-changer. The options market is volatile, fast-moving, and requires a deep understanding of various strategies like covered calls, iron condors, straddles, and butterflies. Even seasoned traders benefit from following those who consistently provide valuable insights, analysis, and strategies.

Tom Sosnoff: The Pioneer and Educator

Tom Sosnoff is perhaps one of the most well-known names in the world of options trading. A former trader at the Chicago Board Options Exchange (CBOE), Sosnoff went on to co-found ThinkorSwim, an innovative options trading platform that was eventually acquired by TD Ameritrade. After this acquisition, he founded TastyTrade, a platform focused on educating traders about options.

What makes Sosnoff stand out isn't just his wealth of experience but also his focus on empowering individual traders with educational content. His daily live shows, podcasts, and webinars are filled with actionable advice on managing risk, setting up trades, and analyzing market movements. He breaks down complex topics like implied volatility and delta-neutral strategies into easy-to-digest pieces, making it possible for traders at any level to understand.

• Why Follow Him: His vast knowledge, approachable teaching style, and innovative strategies make him an essential figure for options traders looking to master the craft.
• Platform: TastyTrade, Twitter (@tomsosnoff)

Mark Minervini: Master of Momentum

Mark Minervini is not specifically an options trader, but his trading insights have profound applications in options. Minervini is known for his momentum trading style and was the U.S. Investing Champion in 1997 with a 155% return. His book "Trade Like a Stock Market Wizard" has been influential for traders around the world.

Minervini focuses on identifying stocks with high momentum and excellent fundamentals, a strategy that pairs well with options traders looking for call options on fast-moving stocks. He shares his trades and strategies on social media and through his trading seminars, making it easy for followers to learn from his winning techniques.

• Why Follow Him: His methods for identifying breakout stocks and understanding market cycles can drastically improve your options trading strategy.
• Platform: Twitter (@markminervini), Minervini Private Access

Tony Zhang: CNBC’s Options Guru

Tony Zhang has quickly become one of the most trusted voices in the options trading community. As a Chief Strategist for OptionsPlay and a frequent contributor to CNBC’s "Options Action," Zhang provides deep insights into options strategies for both retail and institutional traders.

His clear and concise explanations make complex strategies like protective puts, debit spreads, and credit spreads easy to understand. Zhang doesn’t just focus on theoretical analysis—he applies real-time market data to help traders make informed decisions. His frequent appearances on CNBC give traders a timely edge when it comes to market movements.

• Why Follow Him: Zhang’s expertise in translating market movements into actionable options strategies is invaluable, especially for those looking for specific trade setups.
• Platform: CNBC, OptionsPlay, Twitter (@tony_options)

Karen Bruton: The Super Trader

Known as "Karen the Super Trader," Karen Bruton is one of the most polarizing figures in options trading. She started as an accountant but went on to build an impressive track record by focusing on selling options, particularly strategies that benefit from time decay (theta). By consistently selling put and call options on major indices like the S&P 500, Bruton achieved tremendous success, and she has shared her philosophy through interviews and webinars.

While her approach has faced both admiration and skepticism, there's no denying that her strategies on selling premium have been groundbreaking for traders who want to take a more passive, income-generating approach to options trading.

• Why Follow Her: Bruton’s expertise in selling options offers a different perspective from most traders who focus on buying. If you’re looking to adopt a strategy that relies on generating consistent income through options, she’s worth following.
• Platform: TastyTrade, YouTube

Chris Camillo: Data-Driven Options Trading

Chris Camillo is a somewhat unconventional options trader. His method doesn't rely on charts, technical analysis, or even traditional financial indicators. Instead, Camillo uses social data to predict stock movements and make options trades. He believes in tapping into "social arbitrage"—identifying shifts in consumer behavior, news trends, and sentiment to inform his trades.

Camillo’s approach is highly effective in today’s information-driven market, where trends on social media can drive stock prices long before traditional financial analysts catch on. His use of platforms like Twitter to gauge sentiment around certain stocks has allowed him to make outsized returns in a short period. This method pairs exceptionally well with short-term options strategies like buying calls on stocks about to "go viral."

• Why Follow Him: If you're interested in a data-driven, non-conventional approach to options trading that doesn’t rely on technicals, Camillo’s insights can be highly beneficial.
• Platform: Twitter (@chriscamillo), YouTube

Ricky Gutierrez: The YouTube Educator

Ricky Gutierrez is a popular figure on YouTube, where he breaks down complex financial topics, including options trading, in an easy-to-understand format. His channel, "Learn Plan Profit," has hundreds of thousands of subscribers, and his videos cover everything from basic options strategies to more advanced techniques.

What sets Gutierrez apart is his focus on beginner traders, walking them through step-by-step tutorials on setting up their accounts, analyzing charts, and executing their first trades. He often incorporates live trading sessions where he explains his trades in real time, giving followers a window into his thought process.

• Why Follow Him: If you're new to options trading and want clear, actionable advice without the jargon, Gutierrez is a great place to start.
• Platform: YouTube (Learn Plan Profit), Instagram

John Carter: The Professional’s Professional

John Carter is the founder of Simpler Trading and the author of "Mastering the Trade." Carter has been trading options for over 20 years and is known for his deep understanding of technical analysis and how it applies to options trading. He often uses indicators like the TTM Squeeze to find profitable trade setups, particularly for buying options on stocks that are poised for a breakout.

Carter's trading style is more analytical, focusing on technical setups and probabilities rather than fundamentals. He also provides regular market commentary, sharing his trade ideas through live webinars and his platform, Simpler Trading.

• Why Follow Him: For traders who are looking for a more methodical, indicator-driven approach to options trading, Carter’s strategies are highly effective.
• Platform: Simpler Trading, Twitter (@johncarter)

The Role of Social Media and Forums

Beyond individual traders, platforms like Twitter, Reddit (notably r/options), and StockTwits offer a wealth of information and strategies. These platforms allow traders to exchange ideas, post real-time trades, and share their thoughts on market movements. While social media should be used with caution—since not all advice is reliable—following the right communities and accounts can provide valuable insights, especially in fast-moving markets.

How to Choose the Right Trader to Follow

With so many options traders sharing their strategies, it can be overwhelming to decide who to follow. Here are a few tips:

1. Define Your Goals: Are you looking for short-term gains, or are you more interested in long-term strategies? Some traders focus on day trading, while others emphasize passive income strategies like selling options.

2. Check Their Track Record: Follow traders who have a proven history of success. While past performance doesn't guarantee future success, it’s a good indicator of their expertise.

3. Match Their Style to Yours: If you're a beginner, following a highly technical trader may not be helpful. Look for someone whose trading style and teaching approach aligns with your current skill level.

4. Diversify Your Sources: It's always a good idea to follow multiple traders with different perspectives. This will give you a well-rounded view of the market and various trading strategies.

Conclusion: Mastering Options Trading Through the Wisdom of Experts

Options trading is a powerful tool for generating income and managing risk, but it requires a deep understanding of the market and strategies. By following expert traders like Tom Sosnoff, Mark Minervini, Tony Zhang, and others, you can gain the insights needed to make informed decisions and improve your trading performance. Whether you're a beginner or an advanced trader, there's always something new to learn from the best in the industry.