When you play online poker, you’ll notice that most websites provide a feature wherein you can enter notes about each of your opponents at the table. Note taking is one of the most important features you should use because it involves observing your opponents’ betting patterns as well as range of hands they use to raise with a pre-flop. All the information you place on your notes will definitely help you later on in the game, especially if you’re participating in a multi-table tournament.

Once you decided to use this very practical strategy, you should always use abbreviations in taking down notes. Not only does this help in typing faster, it also allows you to read the notes easier should you need to decide on something based on your notes.

Samples of common abbreviations used by poker players include TP (for tight passive players), LA (for loose aggressive players), 5xBB KK (for someone who raises 5x the big blind value and pre-flop with pocket Kings). Of course, you should come up with your own set of abbreviations, so you can remember them easier and prevent your opponents from understanding your notes should they have a chance to peak down your listed information; that is, if you take down notes at an offline poker game.

Once you have listed several notes about your opponents, you can identify what type of poker player he or she is. When you understand that you’re playing against a tight passive player or a loose aggressive player, you’ll know when to fold, learn what to avoid and how to win against them.

If you play online frequently, you can use a system that allows you to learn how often a player goes online. You can add any symbol, such as an asterisk or numbers, every time you take down notes for a certain player. This way, you can ensure the ones you’ve listed during the first time you encountered that particular player is accurate because you will have a comparison of two notes.

You see, keeping notes in poker allow you to keep eyes on your opponents. Since this tool is free to use in online poker sites, take advantage of it and learn a thing or two about identifying your opponents’ strengths and weaknesses through note taking.

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