What are Commodities, and What is Commodity Trading?

Commodities are goods, natural resources, and raw materials that play a crucial role in global and national economies. Traders can sell them on different markets and they are usually divided into soft and hard commodities.

Soft commodities are agricultural products like grains, tropical plants like cocoa and coffee, or grains like soybeans and corn. Hard commodities are typically extracted or mined from the ground and are arguably more popular and attractive to investors than soft commodities. They include energy products like natural gas and oil and metals like gold, silver, copper, platinum, and iron core.
Commodities trading is the buying and selling of these commodities in over-the-counter or regulated markets. Traders who engage in commodity trading aim to profit from changes in the prices of different commodities.

These prices are influenced by various factors including economic conditions, weather patterns, geopolitical events, demand and supply changes, and the economic resolutions of specific countries or groups of countries.

Types of Commodities Trading Instruments

Traders can conduct commodity trading using various instruments. One of these is options trading. These contracts entail an agreement between the buyer and seller to deliver the sold or purchased commodities immediately. A typical example is a trader sending physical gold to a customer to keep in their custody.
Another popular options trading instrument is future contracts. A futures contract is an agreement to buy or sell a specific quantity of a given commodity at a specified price in the future. It is often easier to think of options like bets on where the price of a commodity will end up by the agreed date.
Options give traders the right, but not the obligation, to buy or sell a commodity at a specific price by a given date. In contrast, futures contracts obligate traders to honor their agreement to buy or sell the commodity at the specified price and date. The key difference is that futures involve an obligation, while options provide traders with flexibility.

Traders can also invest in exchange-traded funds and mutual funds. These include different commodities and track their performance, prices, and indices to determine their buying or selling price. Their main advantage is that they allow for easy diversification because investors and traders can invest in numerous commodities, industries, and regions using a single fund. By doing this, they do not have to source individual commodities to include in their portfolios.

Commodities Trading Strategies

Commodities trading often looks different for everyone because everyone has different risk tolerances. They also usually prefer different commodities and have different trading styles. However, it is still rooted in some fundamentals every trader should know about.
Fundamental analysis remains one of the most important commodity trading strategies because it allows traders to maximize returns while minimizing risk. A common way of doing fundamental analysis is evaluating supply and demand. Noting factors like product levels, consumption patterns, and inventory levels can give you an insight into potential province movements you can take advantage of.

Traders also follow the news as part of their trading strategies. If you live in Australia, Europe, or the Middle East and know something like a company announcement will affect the market in North America, you can make trades before the markets open to leverage the immediate price movements when it happens. Traders also use this strategy for other commodities, and will typically follow the gold market open time or currency market open time to leverage news in this way.

Traders can also follow trends and capitalize on long-term price trends, trade commodities trading below their historical averages (mean reversion), or use various hedging strategies to protect their portfolios against price fluctuations while taking advantage of these changes.

Risk Management Strategies

Risk management is crucial in commodities trading because it comes with some risks. With the right strategies, however, traders can avoid significant losses.
Some of the most common commodity trading risk management strategies include:

• Stop-loss orders – Stopping trades at predetermined levels to avoid losses
• Position sizing – Appropriate position sizes depending on the trader’s risk tolerance and account size
• Hedging
• Proper money management
• Continuous education to learn about market developments, new strategies, and how to analyze economic indicators.

There is no shortage of commodities one can buy and sell on the global market. Doing so successfully requires an understanding of commodity trading fundamentals and risk management strategies. As you become a better trader and investor, you can continue learning more about this type of investing so you can learn how to maximize returns and minimize losses.

The American Civil War, a tumultuous period in United States history, is not only documented through texts and photographs but also vividly captured on the canvas of art. The paintings from this era provide a unique visual insight into the battles, emotions, and transformations that shaped the nation.

The Role of Art in the Civil War

Art played a significant role during the Civil War. It served as a means of documenting events, influencing public opinion, and expressing the myriad emotions evoked by the war. Artists, both from the Union and the Confederacy, used their brushes to capture the essence of the conflict.

Battle Scenes: The Heart of Civil War Paintings

Battle scenes form a major part of Civil War art. These paintings often depicted the chaos, heroism, and brutality of the battles. They brought the realities of war to those on the home front, providing a stark glimpse into the soldier’s life.

Portrayals of Soldiers and Generals

Apart from battle scenes, many paintings focused on individual soldiers and notable generals. These portraits often encapsulated the dignity, weariness, and resolve of those who fought, offering a more personal view of the war.

Civilian Life During the War

Civilian life during the Civil War was also a subject of artistic interest. Paintings depicted the struggles, sacrifices, and resilience of families and communities affected by the war, highlighting the war’s impact beyond the battlefield.

The Use of Symbolism

Symbolism was a common element in Civil War paintings. Artists used symbolic imagery to convey deeper meanings, such as the fragility of the Union, the horrors of war, or the hope for peace.

Women Artists of the Civil War

Women artists also contributed significantly to Civil War art, often focusing on the human cost of the conflict. Their works highlighted the impact of war on families and the roles women played during this tumultuous time.

African American Artists and Perspectives

African American artists brought unique perspectives to Civil War art, often highlighting the experiences of slaves and the struggle for freedom and equality. Their art is a poignant reminder of the war’s deeper implications on race and society.

The Influence of Photography

The advent of photography during the Civil War influenced painters. Artists sometimes based their work on photographs, which provided a realistic foundation for their artistic interpretations of war events.

The Evolution of War Art

Over the course of the war, the style and focus of paintings evolved. Early war paintings often had a romanticized view of the conflict, while later works depicted the harsh realities and somber mood as the war progressed.

Archibald M. Willard’s Contribution

Among the notable artists of this era was Archibald M. Willard, most famous for his painting “The Spirit of ’76.” This iconic work, rich in patriotic fervor, depicts three musicians marching with an American flag, embodying the spirit of American independence and resilience. The painting, while not directly a scene from the Civil War, resonates with the themes of liberty and unity that were significant during the conflict. Click here to find out more about the Spirit of 76 painting.

Legacy of Civil War Paintings

The legacy of Civil War paintings extends beyond their historical context. They continue to influence how future generations perceive and understand this critical period in American history.

Art as a Tool for Reconciliation

Post-war, art also played a role in the process of reconciliation. Paintings that depicted the reunification and healing of the nation helped in bridging the divide that the war had created.

Preservation of Civil War Art

The preservation of Civil War art is crucial in maintaining the historical record. Museums, galleries, and private collectors play a vital role in keeping this art accessible to the public.

Civil War Art in Modern Times

In modern times, Civil War paintings have been subject to reinterpretation. Contemporary artists often draw on these historical works to comment on current social and political issues, showing the enduring relevance of these artworks.

Educational Importance

Civil War paintings are also valuable educational tools. They provide a visual supplement to historical texts, helping students and enthusiasts to better grasp the complexities of the war.

Conclusion

In conclusion, American Civil War paintings offer more than just a visual record of historical events. They are a window into the soul of a nation in turmoil, a reflection of its struggles, and a testament to its resilience. As such, they remain an invaluable part of American cultural and historical heritage.

• Take Notes on Opponents

One major adjustment playing online poker is the inability to observe opponents’ physical tells and reactions. However, the ability to take meticulous notes on rivals mitigates this. Most online poker sites and apps allow you to tag opponents and record detailed notes on how they played specific hands or situations against you.

Studying these accumulated hand histories and notes identifies each opponent’s patterns, style, and tendencies over time. You’ll learn who the loose aggressive players are, who frequently bluffs, who only continues with strong made hands, and other Behavioral traits. This intelligence makes adjusting your own strategy versus specific opponents much easier.

For example, you can make lighter calls against a tagged opponent who frequently bluffs. Or fold more versus a nit who only bets with a strong hand. Translating online opponents into data through notetaking allows you to make better informed decisions in future hands, despite not seeing their facial reactions. Don’t underestimate the power of databases in online poker. Consciously recording and utilizing notes is hugely advantageous.

• Utilize Multi-Tabling

One unique advantage of online poker is the ability to play multiple tables and hands at the same time, referred to as multi-tabling. While playing a single table is common for beginners, developing multi-tabling skills can be highly rewarding if done strategically.

The main benefit is you see more hands per hour by spreading your time across 2-4 tables. This increased volume smooths out the impacts of variance, and accelerates your poker learning curve by providing more experience. Start conservatively with just 2-3 tables, and incrementally add another as you improve focus and comfort.

Be selective about which additional tables to join rather than spreading yourself too thin. Target tables where you’re positioned later in the blinds order, allowing more observation time before having to pay for blinds. Adopt a snug playing style, folding weak hands early and only paying premiums. Make decisions quickly without second guessing.

• Master Bankroll Management

Bankroll management is critical in online poker due to the higher variance compared to live games. When playing online, you can’t visually spot weak or strong players like in a live setting. As a result, you’ll inevitably experience wilder swings, extended winning and losing stretches, and more setbacks even if you play perfectly.

To counter the higher variance, you need to build a sufficient bankroll cushion and follow the proper BRM strategy. A general rule of thumb is to have 50-100 big blinds ready for the limits you intend to play. Only risk 1-3% of this total bankroll during any one session.

If your bankroll drops by 10-20% below its peak, move down one or two limits to rebuild. Following a strict BRM regimen ensures you have enough of a buffer to withstand the inevitable downswings without damaging your bankroll’s longevity. It protects you from going broke.

• Configure Your Table Setup

Unlike live poker, online poker software allows you to extensively customize the look, feel, and layout of your virtual poker table. Investing a little time upfront to configure your online poker setup to match your preferences and playing style can give you a significant edge.

Some useful customizations include increasing the bet slider sizes so you can easily place bets with less mouse movement. Enable auto stack top off so you automatically rebuy to the maximum stack size. Switch to four-color decks to more easily identify potential flushes and draws. Adjust the size and positioning of tables on your screen to minimize mouse travel between tables if multi-tabling. Remove unnecessary graphics and animations that just distract you from the gameplay.

• Stay Patient and Avoid Tilt

Patience is a virtue in poker that’s tested even more in the rapid online environment. With so many hands flying by, you’ll invariably hit bad beats or suffer bad luck. Staying calm and avoiding going on tilt is pivotal to succeed online. 

After big losses, get up and walk away momentarily. Don’t immediately redeposit or play higher limits while angry. Breathing exercises and meditation can help temper your emotions. Remember results orient around the long run – focus on making +EV decisions regardless of outcomes. Keeping composure in online poker’s high variance environment separates winners from losers.

Conclusion

Mastering online poker or 3 patti sequence requires adjustments if you’re used to live play. Taking diligent notes, multi-tabling strategically, managing your bankroll, customizing your setup, and avoiding tilt are essential tips to excel online. Learning these best practices will help you maximize your winrate and unlock the lucrative potential of internet poker.