Poker Player Notes - Use them Wisely

Player notes are available to anyone that plays online poker. When I first started playing I did not have any good use for them at all. I didn't know enough about the game itself let alone trying to jot down how my opponents were playing at the table. After a few months and a few dollars in the wind I finally realized how much of an asset player notes could be. Typically I played the same tournaments and ring games on a nightly / daily basis. After a while you see the same people and have a fairly good idea of how they play. I began writing short blurbs about each of the players at my tables.

It wasn't long before I was able to use this information to help me out when I had big decisions to make against those same players. It may seem like it's a mundane and boring task to take notes on your fellow players but you will be glad you did. It's kind of like your own personal profile on your opponents. You do not have to write a dissertation but you do need to be accurate and concise in the information so that you understand exactly what you are saying when you reference that information days, weeks, or even months later.

Here is the information I usually document in my own notes:

•  What kind of playing style? Loose, passive, aggressive, solid, etc. etc.
•  What position do they prefer to play hands from?
•  Are they easy to trap because they will push all-in pre-flop from the first minute of the first level?
•  Are they a good, bad, or mediocre player?

Again, you are simply trying to write down some basic ideas of how that individual plays. You can always flesh it out later if you find it necessary. It is well worth the time and effort to make player notes on your opponents.

You will be glad you did!