playing without tracking players

Started picking up poker not to long ago and think i am doing pretty well learning the game so far. One thing that has been pleaguing my mind is the use of tracking software. I have yet to find a free one that looks like its worth the time and i dont have the money right now to buy the PT3.

The benefit that i see to not using one is that going to a real table in person you have a lot better time tracking that information because it comes more natural to you. This brings me to why im posting, i'm looking for some advice on how to keep track of this kinda stuff without the use of software. Maybe some little tricks people have come up with in there playing.

Use the notes feature of the sites. Create a short hand notation for people.

Most sites you can also select a color for people in the notes area. Make tough players red and weak players green.

you can also increment a number on players to indicate how many times/long you have played with a person.

I'd suggest to just practise taking notes on your opponents... looking for tendancies, weaknesses, etc. (ways in which you can adjust your play vs. them, - - exploiting their tendancies)
If you're fairly new, you're probably better off w/o PT3/HEM for awhile imo.

Thanks for your input. Ive tried to start taking notes but i feel like im playing with different people all the time at these lows stakes.

Definitely an issue with taking notes at the micros, however, if you get into good habits now, it'll be easier when you move up and have to meet regs more often

try poker office I will track people when you are playing at the table and keep there info in your database

OP said he didn't want to spend money on software.

Take notes on what players raise preflop, what they their normal bet size is
if they like to cbet do they have a standard cbet or do they check and play pot control or are they type of player to bet pre and flop and check turn. All sorts of info you can take notes on, I like to see what hands they play in the co, btn, there different ranges depending on position.

Taking notes sometimes seems like a waste,
till you start doing it and begin seeing the same players over and over again.

Make notes of who are the LAG players, who likes their Aces too much
Who calls ever draw, chases every flush.

Especially keep track of the Tilters, they can be worth a lot of money

I started with just the FT notes and now I keep track of players using stats and PT3 (Poker Tracker 3)


Hope this helps.

sign up for the free trial of both HEM and PT3 once you feel that you want to play on a more regular basis... between them you should have 3 months at least free.

you get 60 days on poker tracker. i suggest you try that cause its definitly worth it. maybe you can make the money u need to buy it

Make sure you have notes on people you have played with so when you look at the loby it will be easier to sto people you have played with before. This will allow you to then look and see if that table is gonna be a good one for you.

There is a free HUD that someone here on CC said is really good. I have not used it yet but you might want to check it out.

http://sourceforge.net/apps/mediawik...itle=Main_Page

I have dumped all my software!
It is how people play on the day, older stats can put you crook.
Passive players start being loose aggressive as they learn the game, your software will tell you, they are tight and quiet, you can lose money easily before you pick their attitude change.
Try and follow patterns in the now, you will soon see who is tight, loose, passive, aggressive and calling to often.
Another important indicator is the amount they bet with various holdings, take note what they showdown and bet sizes they made on each street.
Players tend to repeat behavior.

But you have the option to see old stats or session stats, can change to session stats any time to see how are playing in that session.

Still is good to try both, stats and also notes, but same like stats you need to keep to date your notes (try to use a date in notes) because same happen, you read a note and can be from months back and player could change his game.

Yep date my notes too.
Mainly I'm interested betting amounts per street as they repeat often and tend to give you the Villain's holdings.
Are they over estimating their hands value, over betting their big hands, failing to value bet, or if they play well getting value for their hands.
Helps me decide who is loose tight passive and aggressive and who the thoughtful players are, they vary their play, and who just play the cards they see and follow the same betting patterns consistently.
On FTP i replay every showdown even if not involved.

Good for you if you can win without software, but most people should take advantage of any tools that they can. Not only to track other players, but to track themselves. The best way to play good poker is to fully understand what you are doing. It's been shown also, through software like HEMs Leak Buster that winning players play within certain ranges. Understanding what these ranges are, how you compare, and how you can adjust to play your most profitable style is something every player can benefit from.

I may be one of the few, but I'm playing without the use of any outside assistance. Granted I don't play for high stakes (wife won't let me lol), but I think it kind takes the fun out of the game. I also would hate to see what my stats say about myself .

I have tried the trial versions. And trying to understand those stats are really a distraction to me. Plus at the low stakes I play at there is a constant inflow of new players. I usually get a read on a table in about 3 rounds of the blinds. I have taken up an attitude similar to an SNG. Playing very tight for the first 3 rounds of the blinds and then playing to the flop there after.

Winning money is fun. Getting better at poker helps you win more money. Analyzing yourself helps you get better.

Agree, but reliance on programs doesn't really help in live games.

Here is a great post about how to get some tells on players before sitting @ a table, http://www.fulltiltpoker.com/pro-tip/TaylorCaby/181.

Like everyone has been saying just use the notes feature on each site to remember info. This is very tedious but if you play a lot and see the same players it would be worth it.

i played a very long time without a HUD at 2nl, all i did was note the regulars as regulars and try to not play too much vs them, as for everyone else i just considered them a fish. i did a good job, moved up and got myself ptr3 and i am happy with it. if you are playing at 2nl or even 5nl you can do without a HUD.

best of luck.

The more long term successful players will take advantage of software to enhance there game. Like with anything else the more knowledge you have the better.

I would suggest that anyone who wants to use tracking software use HEM. The addon applications like Leak Buster and Table Ninja make it worth it.

Take basic notes with shorthand abbreviations.
Utilize the poker color codes for the players.
Put a date on the last note per player.

If you want to do some of it in your head and you see the player often enough then try to rhyme it with his name. Some quick and easy humorous thoughts and observations mixed in with name.


When you move up then I would you suggest to purchase either PT3 or HEM software.


Good Luck

Do you know what I would really like is to be able to read the notes others post on me. That would really help me to mix it up with those guys.

What are your sn's on the sites? Do you play the CC games? If so, I will have notes on you. If you really want to hear them... let me know (Could post here or 'pm' you... your choice)

This is the biggest reason to use the software

I'd certainly be interested, if it doesn't say donkey i'll be disappointed lol.

Ranny99 on pokerstars and tilt.

I think taking notes is a waste of time..cause a person can change his/her decision anytime.. they might switch to some kind of unfamiliar strategy..
I suggest you play a couple of hands with any kind of player pro or an amateur and see what happens

I dont use any outside help from software. I take notes and create my own hands chart that I play. I keep track of my own version via a simple spreadsheet. I take notes on those I play against...They are taking notes on me as well. My note taking and spreadsheet tracking is nothing fancy and rather basic. It seems to help my game.

Yah, okay. I'm pretty sure I've got a bunch of notes on ya (not a real lot). I'll check thru lobbys on FT later on when I'm not playing MTTs & tell ya what it says (it's for sure not 'donkey' or anything close,obv.).

This was exactly the point that I was trying to make above. It amazes me that people don't want to take advantage of tools that clearly make it a lot easier to win. I guess ignorance can be bliss.