Call is the option to buy a stock at a certain price. (strike price) Usually thinking its going to go up and your buying it at that strike price before the expiration date. If the stock never rises your still forced to buy at that strike price. put option gives you the right to sell a stock that sold you the put option at a specific price. Here your hoping the stock is going down and you get to sell it for a higher price. I'm not an options guy I rather buy long and wait. I rarely short a stock. I figure that if I'm going to get into the market invest in good companies not looking to hit one out of the park just grind a profit.