Article #5 - Keeping Player Notes

Keeping Player Notes

by Erica R. Nelson - September 2008

I have always believed whole-heartedly that good player notes are an extremely helpful tool when playing online, both for cash games and in tournaments. I have tried different types of note-keeping, but found the 4 items of interest below to be the most helpful.

*Note - throwing "donk" or "fish" on someone is not good note-keeping, and won't help you at all.

Many people only do so in tournaments, but you have to think that some of those cash players may end up in a tournament with you at some point. Some people are better cash players while others will do better in tournaments...and then there are the people who can dominate in both.

The kind of notes you keep can help you if you know what to look for and how to track the information and update it as necessary. Many people online are still learning and adjusting to the many aspects of the game, so their play will inevitably vary from time to time.

Here are the types of notes I keep on players. I hope maybe this might help or at least give you some idea of the information to track in the future if you do not already keep player notes.

(1) Hand range - I always keep tabs on players' shown hands, and note their range in their player notes. If you play with someone long enough you will begin to pick up on their range, and thus be able to signify whether they are tight or loose.

(2) Fold range - I like to take notes when players are easily scared by large bets/raises. If I know that they will regularly fold to large bets/raises, then I know this is a prime target for a future bluff.

(3) Skill level - These notes are for the players I've already got solid ranges on. Once I've concluded a range for a player, I then analyze the level of skill they use in their play. Such as check-raising, slow play, etc. This note, combined with the Hand range note, will give you an overall picture of the player as being tight/aggressive, tight/passive, loose/aggressive or loose/passive.

(4) Copycats - Players who are generally passive until they see another player profiting from a different style of play. These types of players generally are not very good in an obvious kind of way, and tend to "try out" many different styles during a single session, simply trying to find something that works.

These are just a few of the aspects that I keep track of at the tables, and of course as I said from time to time you may need to add or adjust some of the information as you play with these people more frequently.

Hopefully this helps you to paint a clearer picture of the players you're up against in the future, and makes you more profitable against them.

~LiLady~