Online Poker: Making Player Notes
When I sit down to play some online poker I am always watching the other players whether I am in a hand or not. I am looking to see what kind of players they are; do they bluff a lot, what their starting hands are in certain positions, are they weak players, etc.
When I have some useful information on a player I make notes on them. All online poker rooms offer the ability to make notes on players. Make use of this powerful feature, because not only will these notes help you with the game you are currently in, but also when you play with that player again sometime down the road.
I currently have notes on over 10,000 players on PokerStars. Usually when I sit down at a table I will already have notes on one or more players. This small advantage will give you that extra edge and in turn, win you more money (or save you money!).
When I make notes I use my own system of abbreviations and meanings. I usually don’t make notes on players who are in late position or who are in the Blinds (we all get creative in these positions) or who are low-stacked.
My Player Notes:
AA (Any Ace) – A player who plays any low card (10 and below) with an Ace from early to mid position. Add an exclamation point when players play any Ace with a baby card from early position.
AS (Any Suited Cards) – A player who plays any two suited cards
SC (Any Suited Connectors) – A player who plays any suited connectors
CS (Calling Station) – A player who is a Calling Station and will call your bets with any made hand, regardless of what’s on the Board
RR (River Rat) – A player who calls any bets to the River (River Rat) who is looking to catch a card to make a hand
20 – A player who plays any two unsuited face cards
T – A Tight player
1 – A weak player who is new to the game or is simply a bad player
2 – A player who check-raises frequently
3 – A solid, good player
B – A player who Bluffs often
J (Jackal) - From Phil Hellmuth’s Animal Types: a reckless and unpredictable player
SP (Slow Plays) – A player who often slow-plays big hands
LF (Limps/Folds) – A player who limps in a lot and folds to any raise pre-Flop
SS# (SharkScope rating) - SS + a number between 0 and 5, with 5 being a very good player
These notes are generally for Texas Hold’em games. When I make notes on players in games other than Hold’em, I will add an abbreviation for the game next to the notes, e.g. a RR (River Rat) in Stud would look like, RR – Std, in Razz, RR – R, in 7-2 Triple Draw, RR – 7-2, and so on.
If I suspect that a player falls under one of the abbreviations above I will add the note along with a question mark next to it. When I am certain about the player’s style I will remove the question mark, and treat the note(s) as fact.
I believe that’s most of the ones I use. I also scribble miscellaneous notes on players when none of the above apply.
Making player notes will not only keep you busy in the game when not in a hand, it will also certainly help you make tough decisions when playing these players. There is nothing better than knowing who you are up against before you even start playing a hand!
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