Since entering the B&M arena, one difference I've certainly noticed is the lack of pokertracker. Now I have to post hands by memory rather than being able to call them up. And maybe that's a good thing...

Anyhow, I was wondering just what you B&M players typically do in terms of record-keeping. Do you make actually notes on certain hands? Or keep any kind of records as to winnings/losses on various hands?

That has seemed to me a bit too tedious, unless anyone has a short-cut (?).

What I have been doing is keeping a log of when I started playing, when I quit, how much I won or lost. And then, after each session, I make any additional notes I can think of about how various players were playing or anything "new" I might have discovered about their strategies, betting habits, etc.

Any suggestions from more experienced B&M players?

I probably also should be looking more for (and noting) Mike Caro-like tells but haven't really made it that far yet.

I do think that I have a pretty good idea as to how various hands are holding up at least for the last few weeks, although it's really just from memory of big hands more than anything else (don't make notes on them).

I keep track of all my hours, and money made on an excel spreadsheet. I usually include start time, total time played, date, +/-, then in the extra space I write down memorable hands. This works for me since, I have really good memory, and usually a brief description jogs my memory good enough for me to remember the hand.

Reading opponants is a major difference between live and online, I like to follow some advice I read in Hellmuths book. When I'm not in hand I try to put the players that are on a specific hand, and as the cards come out I choose one player and try to see if his reactions fit a player playing the hand I put him on. This is a great way to pick up tells on a specific player.

Aistehisi wrote,

"Anyhow, I was wondering just what you B&M players typically do in terms of record-keeping. Do you make actually notes on certain hands? Or keep any kind of records as to winnings/losses on various hands? "

YD replies,

I think it is too much work to record individual hands...I keep track of hours played and wins/llosses...some folks keep paper records of hands played or player characteristics but I just keep it in my brain...when I was first playing B/M poker years ago I would write down my major mistakes so I would be less inclined to repeat them


gl

YD

I keep a journal/log in a Composition Notebook which I can carry in the car or on the plane in my suitcase. I always always write down my results before I play again.

I record the win or loss, amount I was in, casino or game and hours played.I also put down big pot hands and any perceived mistakes. I recently played seven different sit downs in one day in Vegas. I write down each play separately even if if it a brief sit down.

There is a part of the note book where I write notes about betting patterns of those I face often and rate their play. I make different plays against the great, good, and weak players.

What it tells me is that I make money on hands that I should be in there on: Pairs, AK, AQ and on bluffing draws. AA,KK, and trips are my big earners not straights or flushes or two pair. It also tells me that I win the big pots against the newer players. If you can beat top pair, you can make a lot of money from the TV watchers and newer players.

I am aggressive enough in the mid size pots that I get paid off in the big move in pots.

I keep a journal/log in a Composition Notebook which I can carry in the car or on the plane in my suitcase. I always always write down my results before I play again.

I record the win or loss, amount I was in, casino or game and hours played.I also put down big pot hands and any perceived mistakes. I recently played seven different sit downs in one day in Vegas. I write down each play separately even if if it a brief sit down.

There is a part of the note book where I write notes about betting patterns of those I face often and rate their play. I make different plays against the great, good, and weak players.

What it tells me is that I make money on hands that I should be in there on: Pairs, AK, AQ and on bluffing draws. AA,KK, and trips are my big earners not straights or flushes or two pair. It also tells me that I win the big pots against the newer players. If you can beat top pair, you can make a lot of money from the TV watchers and newer players.

I am aggressive enough in the mid size pots that I get paid off in the big move in pots.

You can do pretty much whatever you want at a poker table, except smoke and swear. I have seen people doing crossword puzzles, drawing, writing in notebooks whatever. When I am on a poker trip, I usually have my pocket notebook with me so i can record my sessions time in and time out and I have never had anyone say anything.