Method of note taking

[davidab157]

I've started to put "?" next to notes to begin with, for example "capable of bluffing rivers when draw misses ???" and then remove a ? each time he does it again. This not only gives you notes but also gives you an idea of how strong your read is. Once all ? are gone I add ! each time after that to show the read getting stronger.

If they do something deceptive which goes against the read I would add a ? or take away a !.

Thoughts on this? Is it something you guys often do?

[tsrumler]

I'd have to say that I don't take notes. Maybe mental notes, but I definitely don't write anything down.

I guess if I was to write things down, that would probably be the easiest system.

[Steve-O]

That's a really good idea David, I'll be using that one.

[bigmike667]

Thats a good idea of taking notes, but I don't take notes either. I tried to several times, but I felt it was just confusing me in gameplay. Its good if you get used to it. I tried it on Pokerstars where you could write them online under their usernames. I do take mental notes though when playing.

[Steve-O]

Not taking notes is a bad idea. I've run into players I don't recognize and lo and behold I have 2000 hands with them on poker tracker! I find the best way to take notes is two-fold:

1) you should be running poker tracker or poker office. Once I have 50+ hands on a single opponent I write in their notes: the game and limit they play: # of hands, VPIP, PFR, TAF, WentSD%/WonSD%. each time I play I check each player at the table and update their stats accordingly.

2) I focus on 1 player at the table and write down his actions for an entire hand in a notebook (I use my own version of shorthand). I do this for about 20 hands. This will give you a fairly good idea of how they play and also will give you some line reads on them. If you play 500 hands at a table you can get 60+ hands on an individual player this way, and hopefully 2 or 3 hands that are important enough to commit to your notes. It will also keep you focused on the game.

[nessuno]

I am not taking notes, but I should. I guess I am too lazy. Thanks for your tips, maybe I will start to take notes finally. :)

[tsrumler]

No offense, but I think they are a waste of time. Maybe if you play online regularly it wouldn't be a bad idea because you can't see their faces and movements, but 90% of the time I play live, and I would never think of taking notes. I guess its because I read people very well in person. I mean I know I'm not going to be right all the time, but for the most part, I think I have pretty good instincts.