Let me make the following example: I want to buy call options for the stock "JRJC". I believe that the price of the stock will definitely go up. Now the problem is in this scenario that I can only invest in this stock for about 2 days since I am playing a stock simulation game that ends this Friday. The stock is currently trading at $26-$27, but the strike prices for the options are at either $25 or $30. Which one should I choose if I believe that JRJC will go up, but will not surpass the $30 mark by Friday.Also, what exactly does the terminology "in the money" and "out of the money" mean?Thanks for any answers

in the money means the stock is trading at or above the strike price, in the case of a call. for example a December 100 call on a stock that trades at or above $100 per share is considered "in the money"; if the stock were to trade below $100 per share that call would be considered "out of the money" and vice-versa for puts.Trading options is very risky and your best case scenerio is to buy options at least six months or so prior to the expiration date, much less dicey.

This is a cuckoo example, but at least you're only playing a game.Buy the 25 call. It's in-the-money. There are only 2 days left. If your forecast is correct - if and only if - then for every cent the stock appreciates the 25 dollar call option will appreciate also. On the other hand, the 30 call is out-of-the-money so its appreciation will be less. Indeed, if your forecast is correct ("will not surpass $30") there may be no appreciation tomorrow and there will be decline on friday as time value decays to zero.Keep in mind that if your forecast is wrong, you'll lose more by buying the 25 call than you would have lost by buying the 30 call.Well, it's only a game. Don't even think of doing this in real life. Study first. Visit the CBOE & other exchanges, soak up their tutorials.