So is there a way for small investors to short sell and make money off of the drop when this goes off a cliff?
I'm an idiot so don't listen to me. I sold some options on stock betting it would go higher. Mine have all been covered call's.
I had 100 shares of xx that I bought at $20 per share. I sold options for $3 per share with a strike price of $30.
If the stock goes to $40 the buyer can call the option and I had to sell 100 shares to them for $30. The likely hood of the stock hitting $40 is what drives the cost basis, ($3). If the stock never broke $30, the option expires and I keep the shares and the $300 from the option.
The same thing exists in a Put I believe for falling stock price. The cost basis on a put or short for GME right now is really high. So you'd pay a lot to short it. Again, that's my crude understanding.