The Importance of Taking Notes in Poker

Why is Note-Taking So Crucial?

• Combat Memory Limitations: It's impossible to remember every detail about every opponent, especially in online poker where you might encounter hundreds of players. Notes serve as an external memory bank.
• Identify Patterns and Tendencies: Consistent notes help you spot recurring betting patterns, bluffing frequencies, value betting ranges, and common mistakes made by your opponents.
• Exploit Opponent Weaknesses: Once you identify a reliable pattern (e.g., an opponent always folds to a river bet unless they have the nuts), you can formulate strategies to exploit that tendency.
• Improve Decision-Making: When facing a tough decision, a quick glance at your notes on a specific player can provide the crucial piece of information needed to choose the most profitable line.
• Track Player Adjustments: Opponents might change their style. Notes can help you track these adjustments and adapt your own strategy accordingly.
• Long-Term Player Profiling: Over time, you can build detailed profiles of regular opponents, giving you a lasting advantage.

What Kind of Information Should You Note?

Effective notes are concise and actionable. Focus on information that reveals how a player thinks and acts in specific situations:

• Preflop Tendencies:
  • VPIP/PFR (Voluntarily Puts Money In Pot / Preflop Raise percentages, if using a HUD, or general observations like 'plays too many hands,' 'very tight pre').
  • 3-betting frequency (e.g., '3-bets light from blinds,' 'only 3-bets premiums').
  • Calling range vs. raises (e.g., 'calls raises with any suited connector').
  • Reaction to 3-bets (e.g., 'folds to 3-bets often,' '4-bets light').
• Postflop Play:
  • Continuation betting frequency (on flop, turn, river).
  • Folding frequency to c-bets (e.g., 'folds flop to c-bet if misses').
  • Aggression factor (e.g., 'passive postflop,' 'check-raises bluffs often').
  • Bluffing tendencies (e.g., 'bluffs missed draws on river,' 'triple barrels bluffs').
  • Value betting habits (e.g., 'thin value better,' 'only bets river with nuts').
  • Slowplaying habits (e.g., 'slowplays monsters often,' 'never slowplays').
  • Specific lines taken with certain hand strengths (e.g., 'check/calls flop and turn with draws, bets river if hits').
• Bet Sizing Tells:
  • Does their bet size correlate with hand strength? (e.g., 'small bet = weak, big bet = strong,' or vice versa).
• Showdown Information:
  • What hands did they show down in particular spots? (e.g., 'called 3 streets with top pair weak kicker'). This is gold.
• General Player Type:
  • TAG (Tight-Aggressive), LAG (Loose-Aggressive), Rock, Calling Station, Maniac.
  • 'Tilts easily,' 'Experienced reg,' 'Weak recreational.'

Tips for Effective Note-Taking

• Use Shorthand and Abbreviations: Develop a system of abbreviations to write notes quickly (e.g., 'c/r' for check-raise, '3B' for 3-bet, 'OOP' for out of position).
• Be Specific and Actionable: Instead of 'bad player,' write 'calls too wide pre, folds to flop c-bet if misses.'
• Timestamp or Date Important Notes: Player styles can change, so knowing when a note was taken can be relevant. (Less critical for general tendencies).
• Color-Coding (Online Poker): Many poker clients allow color-coding players. Use this in conjunction with notes for quick visual identification of player types.
• Review and Update Notes Regularly: Don't just write notes; use them! Review them before sessions or when encountering a familiar opponent. Update them as you gather new information.
• Focus on Deviations: Note when a player does something unusual or deviates from standard play.
• Practice Consistency: Make note-taking a regular habit. The more you do it, the better and faster you'll become.

In live poker, note-taking is more challenging but can be done discreetly on a phone or small notepad between hands, or by making mental notes and writing them down during breaks.

A Continuous Process

Taking effective notes is an ongoing skill that develops with practice. The effort invested in diligent note-taking will pay dividends in the form of better reads, more profitable decisions, and a deeper understanding of your opponents, ultimately leading to improved results at the poker table.