Analysis of Reddit User's $8k to $235k YOLO Trade Using 0DTE SPX Options and PLTR Puts

This analysis is based on a Reddit post [5] detailing a 21-year-old student’s YOLO trade. The user’s intuition about SPX opening red then recovering on Nov14 was validated by price data: SPX opened at 6672.14 (down from Nov13 close of 6737.49) and closed at 6734.11 [0]. PLTR’s Nov13 drop (from 184.17 to172.14) [1] likely drove their put profits.

1. Anecdotal Success
   : The trade is an outlier—0DTE options carry extreme risk (rapid time decay, leverage) and most traders lose money on them.
2. Behavioral Shift
   : The user’s decision to switch to safer strategies after a big win reflects a common response to extreme risk exposure.
3. Non-Rational Decision-Making
   : Drug-induced intuition is not a replicable strategy, underscoring the dangers of YOLO trading.

• Risks
  : 0DTE options’ volatility [0], PLTR’s price swings [1], non-replicable decision-making.
• Opportunities
  : Increased awareness of YOLO trading risks could lead to more informed retail decisions; PLTR’s volatility may present opportunities for disciplined traders (no investment recommendations implied).

The user’s trade was validated by price data [0][1], but critical details (strike prices, entry/exit points) are unknown. The event highlights the need for retail traders to understand the risks of 0DTE options and avoid non-rational strategies.