I think one of my weaknesses is a lack of paying close attention to what players are doing at my table. I tend to mentally check out of pots I'm not involved with unless they get huge. Usually I end up loosely categorizing players into broad categories like "loose" "donk" or "solid" but this is just a gestalt feeling more often than not.

I've decided to start taking notes on a sheet of paper, set up like the table. Under each player's position I plan to take notes on what hands these guys are raising, calling, and limping with. If I do this on every hand that's showndown, I should be able to develop much better reads than I do now.

Does anyone else have a "system" for taking notes during tournaments? Do you take written notes or just make mental notes of the action?

Thanks for any input.