I've been keeping stats on my poker game for years, but recently I've started writing notes after particular sessions. I'm finding it helpful to immediately sit down after a session and write about the hands I've played and the people who were a part of the game.

I've taken notes while at the table, too, though it intimidates some players. I don't want to influence the players around me, so when I take notes it's done quietly and carefully so as not to disturb anyone. If someone asks about what I'm writing, I joke about it and say "it's about work." If players know I'm taking notes about them or the hands I'm playing then it sends a signal that I'm taking the game seriously and they might pay more attention and play harder against me.

Here is a excerpt from an session back in August:

August 28, 2009

I'm not sure what else I can do but keep on playing the best I can. I'm not catching any cards and the number of losing sessions is beginning to add up. I really don't think I'm playing badly. I'm sticking to playing only high +EV hands, in position, and not getting trapped post flop in situations. I've done a much better job of paying attention to pot sizes and not paying off when I'm pretty sure I'm beat. I've got to continue to improve my post flop play.

*I started out on Table 2 in the back, the M Casino, and had nothing to play but blinds for the first hour. An obnoxious man and his wife joined the table. He sat with the chair backwards, legs spread, arms splayed onto the table like an octopus. He would fling his cards at the dealer or at the community cards at showdown and really got on my nerves. I also don't like husband/wife teams or couples playing at the same table. I moved after a few hands to another table up closer to the front of the room. I was much more comfortable and immediately won a couple of nice pots on junk hands from the blinds.

*I missed flops all night, with the few pocket pairs I had and the numerous suited connectors I played. I must have played a dozen suited connectors, mostly in middle position or later, and missed every one...no four cards to a flush the entire night. I had open ended straight draws entirely miss. On the other hand, I had J-6o in the blinds and won my largest pot of the night. Later I had J-6s and thought "what the hell" and saw a cheap flop. I flopped a J-high flush with that hand and won a small pot heads up. My strongest hands (AKo, AQo, etc.) all missed the flops, but I won with J-6 twice. Go figure.

*The last hour I was getting tired, sleepy, and frustrated and probably should have quit sooner. I tried to buy a couple of pots, dumb plays, and knew it was time to call it quits for the evening. On the last hand I missed an OES draw, playing the button, and decided that was it. I was getting snippy and frustrated and began to verbally express my disappointment. Not a good sign.