Taking Notes

[Ghaleon]

I'm just wondering what folks do in regard to taking notes. I have Hold em Manager and my HUD shows Hands, VPIP, PFR, FcB, FvFcb, AggFactor, 3bet% I might tweak these as time goes on.

I mostly play tournaments but will often play 10nl or 25nl.

I'm wonder what kind of notes do you make that cannot be determined based on the HEM stats?

I used to write things like "Folds to C-bets when he's out of position and misses the flop". But now I have a stat for that.

I've also tried typing in abbreviated hand histories when I see a player showdown a hand. This became incredibly cumbersome, especially when multi-tabling, and I could never be sure he would play hands the same way twice anyway.

So what kind of notes do you make on players. Is it even worth it if I'm playing low stakes ring games and $5-$20 Sng's where I will RARELY see the same players more than once? I only play 10-20 SNG's per week now, so the chances of running into the same player is really small I think.

[jyms]

Getting used to taking notes now will help you later when people start to play differently at higher stakes. You will always get more info from a note than a stat.

[couriermike]

Primarily how they play big hands, bluffs, and top pair type hands. Also note the board texture and position. Another good thing to take notes on is what their raises mean. Also note anything unusual they do preflop. Like Jyms said, the notes can be super helpful with sticky spots postflop. People do often take the same lines over and over again.

Here's some typical notes I've made:
isolates in SB with A2o
min 3-bet was AA
3-bet/folded from mp vs utg open
flats T8s in co to mp open
called two streets ip with fd, bluffed 2/3 pot on blank river when checked to
c/r'd Q83r flop then c/f'd turn
with flopped set, c/c'd two streets then c/shoved river
flop c/minraise was two pair
never folding 2nd pair
etc etc

[jyms]

"will stab at rivers when missed" has made me a ton knowing I don't need to bet vs certain players that will fold to 3 barrels

[ColdDecked]

"calls 3b oop -> fit/fold post" is one I like