Note taking while multi-tabling

I'm finding that when I'm playing two tables taking notes can get a little crazy. Do you bother taking notes on players or do you just rely on your HUD to tell you enough?

I usually jot down hands I see, what position they were played in, what moves (call/raise/reraise, etc) and any funky stuff. However, when things get fast and furious it is tough. I can't imagine adding more tables and being able to take proper notes. Any suggestions?

I think notes are very important. Do you take notes with your software (like HEM or PT)? I usually just open the note screen for the player I want to take a note on and type something out. I put the game (50NL etc) and use shorthand to make my point. Just something that will jog your memory next time. Another thing I do if I just don't feel I have time is mark the hand with Holdem Manager and take notes when I review my session (I usually play between 10 and 15 tables). But I think note taking is only going to help your game and the higher you go the more important notes are going to be, so get used to it now. I've heard of higher stakes players that ONLY rely on notes and not HUD.

I take notes just fine, but I make notes like "3b oop cbet flop AJ on low board"

when playing two tables at micro stakes you should have enough time to make dinner and do laundry because you are folding so often. Taking notes should be required, not crazy. one good note can make you a buy in next time you are at the table with someone. It's alos better to get into the habit and learn how to shorthand them now, because you will need them. I take notes while 4-6 tabling non stop. It keeps me from surfing FTR.

I surf FTR, 6 table, and take notes at the same time...

You should be taking notes about things that you HUD does not provide. It will also help if use some type of system. This will keep you from writing a novel for each note. After not playing or seeing someone for a while, if I have a note it tends to still be accurate. Things you should be noting are things that don't follow the HUD stats and also how they play sets, draws, TPTK, etc.

at first I would take notes on every hand I saw someone showdown
then I figured out I can't cut that by a lot if I just take notes on the important defining features of their game or something that will help me with a tough spot.
If it's something like "called std PF raise from BU w/ 74o, hit MP and called 3 barrels" I prefer just putting "soso bad". Simplifying in that manner helped me a lot, esp cause I ended up getting way more notes on the bad players b/c they showed down more hands.

Originally Posted by ponyboy

Do you bother taking notes on players

Yes. Thing is, i'm playing quite a few tables so i only end up with notes from hands where i was heavily involved. Get some standard shorthand going and think about what you want to know. I like information about reg's ranges by position, how they play sets and overpairs, their reaction to being checked to etc.... I don't bother taking a note that a 45-9 open limped A5s, I already know that Axs is big in their range.

I like noting stack off plays that made no sense, just to know what they're capable of. I have found that only playing the number of tables that I can manage while note-taking is +++++++++++++++EV. If you don't have time to take notes, you don't have time to think about big decisions when you get involved in several hands at once either, imo.

i use HEm to store all my notes, if your having problems taking notes while 2 tabling your playing WAY WAY too many hands.

Zeth on 2+2 wrote a really good article on note taking i suggest reading. http://forumserver.twoplustwo.com/78...-tl-dr-332863/

Originally Posted by DaddyDeez

i use HEm to store all my notes, if your having problems taking notes while 2 tabling your playing WAY WAY too many hands.

Zeth on 2+2 wrote a really good article on note taking i suggest reading. http://forumserver.twoplustwo.com/78...-tl-dr-332863/

^^^ this

Great article - just read whole thing. Was doing less than half of it, so I learned tons. Well thought out. I'm becoming a relentless note-taker.

I'll just mention like DaddyDeez that HEM is cool - I take all my notes in there, during game play and when I review HH's after a session. Then they're all available whenever I'm playing.

Originally Posted by Jager

....

WTB: Jager's notes on me.

Originally Posted by Robb

If you don't have time to take notes, you don't have time to think about big decisions when you get involved in several hands at once either, imo.

Excellent advice. This is what happened to me when I went to 6 tables and realized I wasn't making very good decisions considering the ops. I dropped back down to 4.