Writing notes in a notepad in live games - bad etiquette?

What do you think? Is this bad etiquette? Because I'm thinking about doing it (since I'm drinking every time i play poker, I always forget the mental notes).

I've seen Daniel Negreanu do it on TV plenty of times. I noticed that on the first season of High Stakes Poker he payed more attention to his notebook than the conversation. While Daniel isn't really one to go by for etiquette he probably is one of the friendliest players at the table.

I don't see any problem with it. I have seen people do it more at the end of a session than during the middle of one. You really only need to keep a notebook if you know you are going to be playing against them again and again. One time people forget about it.

it's only impolite to leave it open on the table for the fish to read what you think about them

Well, it's decided then... I'll be walking with stickynotes.

lol @ "poker is a lot like sex, if you're going all-in, it's better with the nuts..."

lol @ "poker is a lot like sex, if you're going all-in, it's better with the nuts..."

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yea... I'm tryin 2get hot_estelle to notice me... STELLA!!!

How nice, but word of advice, I hate the name "Stella."

My name is Estelle.


And back to the topic, I never take notes at the table live. I have a good memory and I can keep most things in my head organized pretty well. But I've seen a few people take notes at the table, and it has never bothered me.

hott_estelle said:

How nice, but word of advice, I hate the name "Stella."

My name is Estelle.

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apologies... my Brando ain't what it used to be...

I read somewhere (Poker for Dummies maybe?) about a live player who was taking down notes as he played - including his hole-cards. His opponent simply looked at his notes to see what he had, not really ideal.

robwhufc said:

I read somewhere (Poker for Dummies maybe?) about a live player who was taking down notes as he played - including his hole-cards. His opponent simply looked at his notes to see what he had, not really ideal.

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Why would he leave the notes in his opponents' sights. Unless, it's a bluff!
But if i were to take notes, i wouldn't leave it on the table.

Heraclitus said:

it's only impolite to leave it open on the table for the fish to read what you think about them

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I love this reply. Thanks, I needed a good laugh.

JimboJim said:

I've seen Daniel Negreanu do it on TV plenty of times. I noticed that on the first season of High Stakes Poker he payed more attention to his notebook than the conversation. While Daniel isn't really one to go by for etiquette he probably is one of the friendliest players at the table.

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I believe Daniel's notebook actually had his prop bets in it. They had so many going that everyone needed to keep track. Even Doyle was keeping track by marking a paper.

If I were to take live notes, I'd wait until breaks to do it, etc.

I dunno about the ring games but the tourneys in detroit they don't allow any writing material at the tables.

I have a notebook I take to the table everyday. Most of the time people ask to see it. All I write in it is hours played and buy ins, cash outs. No one seems to mind. Who knows maybe it adds table image in a positive way for me.