Playing with the VIX, is like playing with fire, except you can be in control just like a fireman at most fires..., just remember though, that occasionally a fire can rapidly spin out of control, or there could be an explosion and you can be hurt badly or worse... (sorry for the poor analogy...)
VIX & VIX inverse, is just like playing with fire, along as you remain in control.
The way you remain in control, to get out when the chart goes against you. For example I am playing 15 min to 60 min charts, & looking at the daily chart on whether to hold... or to sell.
I like hitting singles & doubles, and sometimes I get lucky and get a home run, but I play mostly for the singles & doubles most of the time using these instruments.
Another piece of advice that I can recommend is read whatever you can about the current market, and too much information in this case is a good thing and stay away from people who are perma bears or even worse perma bulls.
Just play the facts and not someone's opinions.
We are in contango right now on the short-term of the curve, and in contango much further out... Which is a good thing for XIV; SVXY; HVI.to (better risk is to play with the ETF's and NOT to play with the ETN's).
Otherwise you are trading on hope that the issuer will honour its obligations... which can be problematic in times of market stress.
It should be interesting to observe how long this continues.
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