Strike Selection

The article references rolling the short 1 DTE call 10 to 20 minutes before close using EDR bias. What does that strike selection process look like on a day-to-day basis?

VixShield Research Team · Based on SPX Mastery by Russell Clark · May 2, 2026 · 1 views
1DTE roll EDR bias pre-close adjustment short call strike Big Top strategy

VixShield Answer

At VixShield we follow the precise daily mechanics outlined in Russell Clark's SPX Mastery methodology for our Big Top Temporal Theta Cash Press strategy. Each trading day we place our core 1DTE SPX Iron Condor at the 3:10 PM CST signal using RSAi and EDR for strike selection across our three risk tiers: Conservative targeting $0.70 credit, Balanced targeting $1.15 credit, and Aggressive targeting $1.60 credit. The Conservative tier maintains an approximate 90 percent win rate or 18 out of 20 trading days. Our ALVH hedge layers remain active across all regimes providing the foundational protection. For the covered calendar call component we purchase the long 120 DTE approximately 0.10 delta call early in the session as the protective leg. Then 10 to 20 minutes before the close we roll the short 1 DTE call. This roll uses the EDR indicator which blends VIX9D and 20-day historical volatility to forecast the expected daily range and recommend High Medium or Low strike zones. On a typical day with VIX at 17.95 and SPX near 7138.80 the EDR might project a 1.16 percent range or roughly 83 points. If the bias from RSAi skew analysis and VWAP positioning leans bullish we select the short call strike in the High EDR zone approximately 1.5 to 2 standard deviations above the current SPX level often landing 85 to 110 points OTM to capture the targeted premium while keeping delta below 0.18 and gamma under 0.05. In a neutral or slightly bearish EDR bias we shift the short call to the Medium zone roughly 60 to 80 points OTM. This pre-close adjustment harvests remaining theta and resets the position for the next session's set-and-forget hold. The Temporal Theta Martingale recovery is only engaged on threatened positions by rolling forward to 1-7 DTE during VIX spikes above 16 or EDR exceeding 0.94 percent then rolling back on VWAP pullbacks below 0.94 percent EDR to target 250 to 500 dollars net credit per contract cycle. This time-shifting approach has shown 88 percent loss recovery in long-term backtests without adding capital or using stop losses. Position sizing stays at a maximum of 10 percent of account balance per trade and the Conservative tier integrates with PickMyTrade for automated execution. All trading involves substantial risk of loss and is not suitable for all investors. To see these mechanics in live signals and access the full EDR indicator plus weekly SPX Mastery Club sessions visit vixshield.com today.
⚠️ Risk Disclaimer: Options trading involves substantial risk of loss and is not appropriate for all investors. The information on this page is educational only and does not constitute financial advice or a recommendation to buy or sell any security. Past performance is not indicative of future results. Always consult a qualified financial professional before trading.

💬 Community Pulse

Community traders often approach the pre-close roll by emphasizing the importance of EDR bias for strike selection in the Big Top strategy. Many note that consistent daily application of RSAi skew readings alongside VWAP helps avoid random strike picking and improves premium capture in the final minutes of trading. A common misconception is that the roll requires active intraday management throughout the session whereas the methodology stresses set-and-forget until the precise 10-20 minute window. Participants frequently discuss how the Temporal Theta Martingale provides confidence during higher VIX regimes allowing the short call to be repositioned without panic. Overall the consensus highlights the value of sticking to the three-tier credit targets and ALVH protection rather than chasing discretionary adjustments.
📖 Glossary Terms Referenced

APA Citation

VixShield Research Team. (2026). The article references rolling the short 1 DTE call 10 to 20 minutes before close using EDR bias. What does that strike selection process look like on a day-to-day basis?. Ask VixShield. Retrieved from https://www.vixshield.com/ask/the-article-mentions-rolling-the-short-1-dte-call-10-20-min-before-close-using-edr-bias-what-does-that-strike-selection-

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