What if you could go back in time and leave yourself a note about opponents? Would it help you increase your bankroll in the future? One way to answer that question is to use the note feature that most online venues offer and write down helpful tips, strategies, and information on opponents that will give you the advantage.

Following every big play there is usually a time where you analyze your opponents in your thoughts. Did you notice they bluff nearly every play? Do they like to check bet quite often? Are they a little too ambitious with their chips? There are many great observations about your opponents to keep in mind throughout the entire game, but what about when the game is over? There is no way for you to remember those observations you made weeks, months or even years later when you play that same opponent again. Because online poker is filled with regular players who are on day and night; chances are you will run across the same player once or twice during your online poker gaming. This is precisely when previously recorded notes come into play.

After every big move you should take clear and concise notes on observations you have made about particular opponents at the table. Notes can always be edited later, or even deleted, if you find out the observation does not necessarily fit anymore. Over time, much like you would find at a casino, you will begin to come across more regular players and bump into them more often at different tables. Jotting down some of the player’s habits, weaknesses, or even strengths will help you in the long run. For instance say you come across a player you met at a table months before who is incredibly skilled at bluffing, you can check your notes on the player and use this information to make a decision on big-pot hands. If your note clearly states the information you need and you are sure you can understand it then you will be patting yourself on the back in the future when it comes in handy.

There is no greater relief than finding concise notes you wrote at an earlier date about an opponent you are currently going head to head with. In many cases it can save your hand, and even you’re bankroll.
Something to keep in mind however about taking notes involves a few simple, but very important aspects. First thing to keep in mind is that the notes should be very clear and that you can fully understand their meaning. There is no problem at all with using acronyms and abbreviations for your wording, just make sure you know what you’re talking about and can understand it later when you read it. Finding a note with strange and alien symbols scrawled all over won’t do you any good at all later. The second thing to keep in mind is that the note should be short, and concise. As is obvious, hands in online poker are timed to move the game along at a steady speed. You’re going to need time after reading the note to decide what to do with the information, so writing a 1200 word note is just going to waste time and make you lose money in the long run. Shorten every phrase and sentence up as much as possible, and don’t write out a paragraph where you can fit in one or two sentences; in other words paraphrase as much as possible.

One additional use of the note feature can relate to your mood, and overall success in any given game. Poker is a tough game to play, and remain focused on especially if you’re in a particularly cross mood. Sometimes it’s great to look at notes and see an amusing or funny comment. This will help lift a bad mood or even generate extra attention to detail where it didn’t exist before. No one else can see or access your personal notes, so there’s no need to worry about opponents seeing personal and sometimes embarrassing comments to yourself. Opponents aren’t even alerted that you are writing a note about them. Use this to your advantage and take some great notes when applicable and don’t even hesitate when you have the chance to jot down a quick, amusing little comment for later.

Finding a self-written note designed to lift up your spirits will almost certainly make any bad-mood get better, and any boring and lengthy poker game seem that much more amusing. The note feature is there for a reason, so use it as much as possible and consider it the advantage that might just give you that extra edge over your opponents in the long run.