The more likely scenario is getting the timing wrong, e.g. price goes up to, say $300 before falling down to $100. If you don't have enough to cover it when it

The more likely scenario is getting the timing wrong, e.g. price goes up to, say $300 before falling down to $100. If you don't have enough to cover it when it hits $300 or the balls to stay in until it goes down, you can still end up with a lot of pain. In the end it's the simplest to either go long or stay out, and let those who know how to manage the risk do the shorting work.