Options advice

[Arbikal]

Anyone here proficient in trading options? I'm still learning with practice trades with make believe money . And I'm trying to familiarize myself with my online broker TD Ameritrades purchase tools...its a little different then the website I've been using. When I go to buy options it makes me choose between open and close. Is that a choice from the beginning of the market and the end? I can't buy them while the market is open? Also I have a little confusion with the write/sell choice... I just want to buy a simple call or put... I'm not buying yet just trying to learn more I'm trying to get my account activated for options trading now so I can utilize the Options 360 program! Any help would be appreciated!

[Novice Investing]

Hi, Arbikal:

For simple buy a simple call or put option, you simply choose:
1. Buy.
2. Open

This means that you are buying a specific call/put to open/ initiate your position. And then, when you sell this option, you choose: 1. Sell, 2. Close. This means that you close your position on this option.