Making notes at the table

This might sound like a weird question, but...

Last night at a live cash game I seemed to have started a major controversey when I pulled out my notebook and started making notes about some of the hands I was involved in. I've been doing this a while, and most of the players I play on a regular basis with don't seem to have a problem with it - but last night we had a couple of newcomers at our game and they were very uncomfortable because of it.

I explained that I wasn't making notes about them as players (although I think if I was I have an absolute right to do so) but I was making notes about the hands themselves so I could go back over my play in certain situations later (plus, when I post live hand histories here at Cardschat for analysis I get the history from my notes).

The uncomfortable players said it was rude and bad poker etiquette for me to be making notes at the table. One of them actually cashed out his chips and left.

My question is - IS it bad etiquette? If it is, would it be more acceptable if I left the table and made notes in the next room? Am I really doing something frowned on by "real" poker players without knowing it?

What you did was completely appropriate and something you should be glad to do. I don't know where players see that this is rude, as you are trying to male yourself a better player.

Personally I feel that its fine, but I play live around twice a week now, and its something I'd never do. I can understand how a bad player might react to it, and above all in these games the golden rule is to keep the bad player playing.
He may have been just in for a flutter, and dosnt want to be known as a bad player, players like this can feel that past hands get forgotten, when they are written down it scares them.

In the above situation personally I would have put the notebook away, but your well within your rights.

tenbob said:

Personally I feel that its fine, but I play live around twice a week now, and its something I'd never do. I can understand how a bad player might react to it, and above all in these games the golden rule is to keep the bad player playing.
He may have been just in for a flutter, and dosnt want to be known as a bad player, players like this can feel that past hands get forgotten, when they are written down it scares them.

In the above situation personally I would have put the notebook away, but your well within your rights.

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Never thought of it that way, but you're right. I don't want to chase off the profitable players -

My problem is I'm trying really hard to find and fix the many leaks in my game. Maybe I'll invest in a little tape recorder make quick verbal notes during bathroom/smoking breaks...

I don't know about proper ediquette, but I wouldn't do it if it made anyone uncomfortable....mainly because they aren't gonna come back and lose their money to me

Genso Hikki said:

Maybe I'll invest in a little tape recorder make quick verbal notes during bathroom/smoking breaks...

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Like Gus hansen used at the table the last ME...and I think that's only rude if you whisper "mumble mmblmbl mmm total fish mmmbl"

Nothing wrong with what you did, I do this all the time when at a casino. sometimes they ask what I am doing. I explain I like to post a few hands at a on line forum and they seem to be ok.

At a regular cash game I have never done that, but if someone complains I would have said something like' I'm sorry ..I such a fish and lose so much money at these games. I am just trying to improve my game by writing down how I play a few hands".

There is nothing wrong with taking notes anywhere.

well as i would not care what you was doing others obviously did and i would of had to of said im sorry and put my notebook away or walked away when i felt the need to write something down

tenbob said:

Personally I feel that its fine, but I play live around twice a week now, and its something I'd never do. I can understand how a bad player might react to it, and above all in these games the golden rule is to keep the bad player playing.
He may have been just in for a flutter, and dosnt want to be known as a bad player, players like this can feel that past hands get forgotten, when they are written down it scares them.

In the above situation personally I would have put the notebook away, but your well within your rights.

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this, BUT...

I think you can get around it. If cell phones are allowed, and you have a notepad on your phone like I do, then just act like your on your phone but simply make the note. Problem Solved

My thinking is if we are talking a non-casino cash game then I would compare it to talking in a movie theater. Yea you're "allowed" but it is definitely frowned upon and very rude. Personally if someone did that with me at a cash game I would say no problem as long as I can read what you are writing if not I may cash out. Think of it this way...is it ok for someone to sit next to you with a computer and type stuff in? Maybe they are doing odds calculations. Just my opinion.

Simply Said

The Shrog said:

What you did was completely appropriate and something you should be glad to do. I don't know where players see that this is rude, as you are trying to male yourself a better player.

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It's within your rights to take any notes you want and no player or person should tell you otherwise..If that's what helps you win..Taking notes of your hands then go for it..Theres should be nothing stopping you..And by all means take notes of your players if you like..If they leave the table..They just feel intimidated..They are scared you might read them..But when it comes to bad etiquette..I find it kind of weird but hey, everyone has different opinions..
Great Post
Take Care
Ray