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.

No real system other than a few acronyms... I do take note of the players who play weak aces and suited cards early in SNGs (at least until 6 to 8 tables... kind of gets hard after that!) anything which either helps define their bubble calling range or their ability to fold to a big reraise in the mid-game is key in a SNG...

For MTTs I also note raise / fold betting lines (ie what bets might show weakness), ace=x hands played, any unusual bet sizes and also how people play draws... would probably benefit from a proper system for doing this but to be honest I'm not that disciplined!!

Cheers, Mark

I am not a big fan of note taking. The reason for this is people are moody. People get in mood swings. Fight with wife/ Girlfriend, Had good day. Gambling little more due to in winning streak or losing streak. Drunk.
So i tend to not take much from previous sessions. More so that session itself.

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Kickboyswoop

I tend to note strange actions that I would either be wary of or could misread as weakness. These are usually limp, min-raise or open push hands.

Examples would be: "Open push AA mid position, SNG, lvl1", "Limp AK on button late MTT", "min raise 89o UTG+1, SNG 50/100".

Other notes might include if the opponent stacks off with top pair, calls loosley or tightley esp. in bubble situations, chases draws without the right price and if he slowplays hands or not.

Revenge notes are also fun ...

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Still Trying to Learn the Science & Discover the Art

I note anything I think may be noteworthy. If I see a player limp with AA UTG I will note it. If I see that he limps in LP with a suited king i note that.


Probobly the biggest advice for taking notes I have is for when playing Razz. I will quickly type in all of the exposed cards in order so i know what was out. I jsut type them really quick into the chat box and erase them and do it again at the begining of every hand. I guess thats my little Razz trick of the day.

I'm a bit surprised nobody has mentioned Poker Tracker or Poker Office.

These are great Hand Trackign Tools that everyone should consider using. of the two I prefer Poker Office, but in fairness to Poker Tracker, they have a new version out that I haven't had a chance to evaluat yet.

Jason

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I'm Not Lucky, I Have Good Karma !