Are you allowed to write notes in a live game?

cotta777 · Sep 29, 2013

I've never come across anyone who writes notes in a live game,

But I think it could be very useful if in an MTT - im guessing there is no rule and some people are bound to hold pad at like mtt's or use the phone.

I was thinking of listing out a mapped blueprint of seating arrangement and just tabbing every player in a notes criteria.. and recording how many hands each are playing also to get a rough idea what percentage of hands they are calling off

nevadanick · Sep 29, 2013

You're playing a LIVE MTT. Pay attention. You're not multi-tabling here. Then you also have the situation of table consolidation during an MTT and player/seat changes.

I can only envision the flak you might get over any delay caused by you making entries into ANY electronic device at the table.

There are areas where cell phones and the like are prohibited at live tables. MP3's, sure, for music enjoyment. Devices capable of transmitting .... not so favorable.

********************

tony4680 · Sep 29, 2013

I am pretty sure your allowed to jott down notes if you want. I remember for a while Gus Hansen kept a tape recorder with him and would dictate notes about hands and players in Danish while he was at the table so he could review when the tournament broke for the day

Debi · Sep 29, 2013

Yes you are.

MediaBLITZ · Sep 29, 2013

Sure, I do it periodically and have come across a few others - generally its just writing a hand down for later review as opposed to being directly relevant to the game at hand.

rugby0 · Sep 29, 2013

Even gus hansen had the good manners to get up from the table when he wished to dicate notes. I have seen many people just push back from the table to make a quick note in their pocket calender. I would object to note taking on an electrical device.

Debi · Sep 29, 2013

rugby0 said:
Even gus hansen had the good manners to get up from the table when he wished to dicate notes. I have seen many people just push back from the table to make a quick note in their pocket calender. I would object to note taking on an electrical device.

Your objection wouldn't matter though - it is permitted when you are not in a hand.

I never do it - I don't play the same people often enough for it to be worthwhile. Since it is only 1 table I can remember the ones I do without taking notes.

themosthigh · Sep 29, 2013

I take notes all the time at the table, anytime I lose a hand I will usually whip out my cell phone and note what happened so I can review my session later.

XXPXXP · Sep 29, 2013

yes, paper note is allowed .....100% sure ..

but u need to bring your own paper and pen, casino did not sell stationary stuff! LOL

Robbie Strazynski · Sep 30, 2013

cotta777 said:
I've never come across anyone who writes notes in a live game,

But I think it could be very useful if in an MTT - im guessing there is no rule and some people are bound to hold pad at like mtt's or use the phone.

I was thinking of listing out a mapped blueprint of seating arrangement and just tabbing every player in a notes criteria.. and recording how many hands each are playing also to get a rough idea what percentage of hands they are calling off

You are most certainly allowed to take notes while playing live poker. If you do so on pen and paper, your table mates might snicker and sneer, but it will not get you in trouble. At almost every poker room I've ever visited, the staffers have said note taking is 100% fine. Some made a distinction between cash game use and tournament use when it came to taking notes on a mobile device - check the rules of the poker room.

Just for everyone's information here on the Cardschat forums, I've developed a mobile App called Poker Notes Live that allows you to note-take while playing live poker. Surely you'd all agree that "playing around on your phone" while you take notes is far more likely to remove the social stigma from poker note taking.

There are strict rules re: promoting products here on the forums and I don't want to break them.

If anyone has any questions about my mobile app or would like me to post relevant links, please feel free to ask away and I'll be happy to answer.

Robbie Strazynski

everythingspear · Sep 30, 2013

The VERY interesting thing about this is that EGO plays a big part. As others have said, it is allowed. It's mostly a matter of looking "professional" or whatever, in front of others, that are the issue here. This is not custom for experienced players, and thusly not something ANYONE would like to do.

I say why not? This is completely arbitrary, as all other "norms" in whatever branch of society.

Tom1559 · Sep 30, 2013

Good question. I have never come across this playing live and do not know whether it is okay or not. I note some of the other guys above have said it is legal.

Zin · Sep 30, 2013

Taking notes is allowed.

iec · Sep 30, 2013

Good idea to do this.
I played only once in a live tournament, but when I played, there were tons of people with notebooks and other electronic devices, if there will be some next time, I might try something like that

Although one could simply remember things when he is not multitabling

But well, if one plays some regular tournament with the same people live over and over, it's really useful to know their habits and so on.

MediaBLITZ · Sep 30, 2013

JMHO - Your live note taking at the table should be focused on you and not your opponents. Trying to track all your opponents on paper, especially in tournament, is going to throw you out of sync and you will miss stuff.

Note those hands you had "trouble" with for later review. The power of the review is that many times what got by you at the table becomes plain as day on paper.

For me just the act of taking notes changed the way I thought about hands while playing them - I got much more detailed and calculating than before.

But afterwards, sitting in the car - I will make notes about some of the opponents.

italiano · Sep 30, 2013

be a good choice somewhat uncomfortable to play live but I think it would be really useful!

dmorris68 · Sep 30, 2013

everythingspear said:
It's mostly a matter of looking "professional" or whatever, in front of others, that are the issue here. This is not custom for experienced players, and thusly not something ANYONE would like to do.

Any good poker player should welcome the opportunity to not look experienced, so by your argument this is exactly what you should be doing.

OzExorcist · Sep 30, 2013

rugby0 said:
Even gus hansen had the good manners to get up from the table when he wished to dicate notes. I have seen many people just push back from the table to make a quick note in their pocket calender. I would object to note taking on an electrical device.

FWIW Gus was only doing that because he was writing a book (his "every hand revealed" book from a few years back) - it's not something you see him doing any more. And he was walking away from the table because, among other things, he was speaking aloud about exactly what cards he had in every hand.

OT: as others have said there's no rule against it (outside of places that won't let you use your phone or electronic device while you're in a hand) but few people bother to do it because it makes you look like a weirdo.

In fact I'd probably recommend AGAINST doing it, unless you're able to do it very subtly on your phone or something. Sitting there writing notes about people who are three feet away from you is likely to creep a lot of people out, especially casual players. You don't want to weird them out and have them quit the game on you.

cotta777 · Oct 1, 2013

yea I think overuse is going to do more harm than good,

but I would probably pick out 3 or 4 strong opponents (if any)
the older recreational players are pretty predictable.

I would look at stuff like calling range from exposed hands and where in position they were,
and just jot anything down which is useful
into a phone would be easier

topper39 · Oct 1, 2013

I think it's allowed, but it would seem very weird to me if sitting at he table with you. It's even hard to imagine actual use. Imagine you'll write notes on about 15 players and then keep browsing through it trying to find the right one for the guy you're just playing hand with. It seems much easier and way more practical to just remember it.
But if you want to do rewiev after the end of the tournament then I think it's perfectly fine to make some notes and write down some interesting hands during tourney and analize them after. It's hard to remember all of them.

Kenzie 96 · Oct 1, 2013

I remember seeing Greg Raymer whip out his notebook & jot down a note or 2 the year he won the Main Event.

DaMan1313 · Oct 2, 2013

I don't think it would really be helpfull since you are bound to face different opponents at any point besides it sounds like way too much work lol

Snakmacher · Oct 2, 2013

Would be funny though if sitting at live table and watch co-player to write down notes - it would be like - um.. is he about chaging carier to a writer ?

Robbie Strazynski · Oct 2, 2013

Robbie Strazynski said:
You are most certainly allowed to take notes while playing live poker. If you do so on pen and paper, your table mates might snicker and sneer, but it will not get you in trouble. At almost every poker room I've ever visited, the staffers have said note taking is 100% fine. Some made a distinction between cash game use and tournament use when it came to taking notes on a mobile device - check the rules of the poker room.

Just for everyone's information here on the Cardschat forums, I've developed a mobile app called Poker Notes Live that allows you to note-take while playing live poker. Surely you'd all agree that "playing around on your phone" while you take notes is far more likely to remove the social stigma from poker note taking.

There are strict rules re: promoting products here on the forums and I don't want to break them.

If anyone has any questions about my mobile app or would like me to post relevant links, please feel free to ask away and I'll be happy to answer.

Robbie Strazynski

I've had a (cards)chat with the moderators and they were kind enough to allow me to link to where you guys can find more info about my Poker Notes Live app.

http://cardplayerlifestyle.com/poker-notes-live-app/

Currently available for Android in 8 languages - iOS and a 9th language coming very soon.

If you're among those players looking for easy ways to take notes while playing live poker, you can finally ditch the pen and paper... We've developed the app because we really think it's a useful poker tool for recreational players and grinders alike.

I'll probably open up a dedicated thread for this soon, but feel free to ask any questions if you have 'em.

Robbie

AcesUp747 · Oct 5, 2013

Sure, and I once saw an old guy doing it. (unless he was writing his will or something, lol)

Are you allowed to write notes in a live game?

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