No worries at all Orwell. Cost aside I'd definitely go with optionsxpress to start. Nothing to stop you setting up an IB acc later. Ox's more user friendly platform will let you get up to speed with all your options (pardon the pun) quicker. They have great learning tools and trade visualisation tools (for lack of a better term) so no need for the calculator. Just a heads up, for those strategies you mentioned you'll still need a margin account even if you don't use it. Anything with unlimited downside. Selling calls, puts, short selling stock etc. cheers
(20min delay)
