Strike Selection
How exactly do you use the EDR and RSAi for picking strikes on daily SPX iron condors?
EDR RSAi iron condor strikes 1DTE strike selection
VixShield Answer
At VixShield we rely on two proprietary tools developed by Russell Clark to select strikes for our 1DTE SPX Iron Condors: the EDR (Expected Daily Range) indicator and RSAi (Rapid Skew AI). These tools form the foundation of our daily signal generation at 3:10 PM CST, ensuring we capture premium while staying within the Expected Daily Range. The EDR blends short-term implied volatility from VIX9D with 20-day historical volatility, then applies a regime-adjusted multiplier between 0.8 and 2.0. With current VIX at 17.95 and SPX near 7138.80, a typical EDR reading around 1.16 percent translates into an expected daily move of roughly 83 points. We place our short strikes outside this projected range according to the chosen risk tier. Conservative targets collect approximately 0.70 credit with wings set wider, Balanced aims for 1.15 credit, and Aggressive seeks 1.60 credit with tighter wings. RSAi then refines these initial EDR-derived levels by analyzing real-time options skew, the last four hours of VIX momentum, and SPX position relative to VWAP. In under 253 milliseconds it adjusts each wing in five-dollar increments until the precise credit target is achieved, often favoring the side where skew offers the richest premium. This combination prevents us from simply selling far OTM options that deliver disappointing credits. Once strikes are locked, we enter the full four-leg Iron Condor Command in the post-close window, keeping position size at a maximum of 10 percent of account balance. The entire process is Set and Forget with no stop losses. Our ALVH hedge layers remain active across all VIX regimes to protect against spikes, while the Theta Time Shift mechanism stands ready to roll threatened positions forward to 1-7 DTE if EDR exceeds 0.94 percent or VIX rises above 16, then rolling back on a VWAP pullback to harvest additional theta. Backtested results from 2015-2025 show the Conservative tier winning approximately 90 percent of trading days. All trading involves substantial risk of loss and is not suitable for all investors. To master these exact strike selection mechanics and receive daily signals, visit VixShield.com and explore our SPX Mastery resources or consider joining the SPX Mastery Club for live sessions and indicator access.
⚠️ 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 strike selection by first consulting the EDR to establish the expected daily range and then allowing RSAi to fine-tune wings for target credit levels. Many emphasize the importance of waiting for the 3:10 PM CST signal rather than guessing intraday, noting that RSAi's skew analysis frequently shifts one side of the condor by 10 to 20 points to capture better premium. A common misconception is that wider wings always equal safer trades; experienced voices point out that Conservative tier wings must still respect the EDR projection or the position loses its edge. Discussions frequently highlight how ALVH protection and Theta Time Shift recovery turn occasional losing days into net-positive cycles over time. Overall the consensus centers on disciplined adherence to the three risk tiers and letting the proprietary tools remove emotion from daily decisions.
📖 Glossary Terms Referenced
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