Click to zoomOption Chain
Real world stock options made fun
How To Play Option Chain
Watch the complete step-by-step walkthrough of setup, turn sequences, and winning conditions.
Round Structure
Game Overview
Option Chain is played over the course of five trading days.Each trading day consists of 4 phases:
Forecast Phase
Reveal forecast cards and read market news to predict which way stock prices will swing today.
Analyze economic trends, gauge upcoming volatility, and position your portfolio before live trading opens.
Options Phase
Take turns choosing your strikes and sell options to collect upfront premiums and lock in your positions.
Set strike prices, balance risk versus reward, and lock up required collateral on your player mat.
Market Phase
Roll the market dice to move stock prices, then take turns choosing to close options early or let them ride.
As prices change across the board, decide whether to buy back contracts to lock in a profit or cut a loss, or hold out for a bigger return.
After Hours Phase
Resolve all remaining contracts on the board to finish out the trading day.
Keep your collected premiums as pure profit if contracts expire worthless, or fulfill obligations to buy or sell shares when contracts are assigned.
Real option mechanics.
Made physical and tactile.
Slide the option chains as share prices shift. Premiums and strikes update right on the table without screens or lookup tables.
Component Inventory
What's Inside The Box
Premium tabletop components engineered to make stock options tactile and intuitive.
1 Board · 4 SlidersZoomCentral Board & Sliding Chains
Full-color market board featuring dual stock tracking tracks and 4 double-sided die-cut sliding option chains.
4 Market DiceZoomCustom Market Dice
Color-coded directional volatility dice (+3, -2, ±1) engineered to simulate realistic market price swings and momentum.
4 Player MatsZoomDouble-Sided Player Mats
Dedicated player mats with built-in strategy decision trees to organize collateral, stock shares, and active written positions.
125 Money CardsZoomOption Chain Money Cards
Custom illustrated bull-rider cash in 7 distinct color denominations ($1 to $100) to keep table accounting fast and tactile.
15 Event CardsZoomEvent & Tutorial Cards
15 Market event cards (including "To the Moon" and "Hit the Fan") plus dedicated tutorial cards for first-time players.
20 Forecast CardsZoomCompany Forecast Cards
Features Social Spider, Panther Tech, Captain Airlines, and Automus Prime that indicate when the stocks will move during the day.
Answers & Support
Frequently Asked Questions
Why can’t players buy options in Option Chain?
In real trading, investors buy, sell, or combine option strategies. In Option Chain, players exclusively write (sell) options because option selling is easier to understand, generates immediate cash flow, and is much more forgiving for learners.
Why can’t I freely trade normal shares in Option Chain?
When players are allowed to buy and sell shares freely, they naturally fall back into the familiar habit of trying to "buy low and sell high." Removing open stock speculation keeps the spotlight squarely on how option contracts work and helps you hone your option skills.
If dice rolls are random, can strategy still win?
Yes! While dice drive the market day-to-day, selling options inherently gives you an edge through upfront cash premiums and defined strike buffers. Even when market movement doesn’t go your way, sound risk management and strike selection allow players to consistently profit.
Is Option Chain suitable to play with younger players or kids?
Definitely. While the box says ages 14+ for financial literacy, we have playtested this game with children as young as seven. When parents see their young kids grasp strike prices and make money collecting premiums, it is always a proud gaming moment.
What if someone in our group already trades options?
Veteran traders love using Option Chain to show family and friends how their trading actually works without putting real capital at risk. It gives non-traders an intuitive glimpse into trading concepts in a relaxed, friendly game-night setting.