Taking player notes. Discuss Taking player notes, on ChipTalk.net the place to go for your Poker chips and gambling tips. Read it in Poker Strategy General.
Online I note players as TAG, LAG, LP, TP, and I put an * if they're trickier than avg for that player type. If I notice any particular repeating bet patterns ro tendancies (such as an inclination to re-steal) I'll note that as well. It's so simple to review hand histories and see past showdowns after a session or on breaks or even when you're out of a hand.
The question I have now is taking notes in live games. I'm reluctant to do so in our large home games (3 table tournies & cash games) as I think I'll be seen as an a-hole. I try my best to make mental notes and put them on my PC when I get home, but it's tough for me to keep it all in order and I find my memory really isn't good enough to store much player data accurately. It's easy to make generalizations about opponents play, and I've been able to narrow my opponents holdings somewhat but I feel I could really take things to the next level w/ more accurate notes.
When I go to Vegas or Laughlin I typically play in the casino that we're staying at and will log plenty of hours w/ quite a few familiar faces, enough that I could benefit from note taking.
Just curious what other players here do regarding live-action note taking, and if you've also got a home game dillema similar to mine, and if you do take notes how much it improved your overall results.
BTW, do you thinking taking notes in big home games is over the top??
Joey, I have the same problem as you (see my thread about our game last night).
I don't think you can whip out your notebook at a home game without looking
like a complete tool. If you must write something down right away, excuse
yourself and do it in the bathroom.
That being said, I think you (and I) should work on our memory skills at the table.
Not being able to recall a hand shows a lack of concentration while the hand is
going on. It's like when someone tell you their name and you forget it instantly.
Memory or whip out your phone and "pretend" you are replying to a text message. At the casino take a break once an hour to hit the restroom and write your notes down.
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