Why would you phrase it like that, like there was some expectation that I did?

No expectation. You were just making assumptions about me that you would know are inaccurate if you actually read it.

I say keep writing the blog.

I think there's some merit to ceasing the app. I generally don't like playing with the pros at the table, and I can DEFINITELY tell you I wouldn't want to play shorthanded with someone datamining me.

Respectfully yours,

A fish

I love the blog especially since you put more effort into regular, poker focused posting.

Also, regarding the app. I'd say you're good enough and these games seem amazing. I'd not want to upset the apple cart by making these donators aware that someone better than them is trying to get even more of an edge.

Man I have such mixed feelings on this debate. TDK clearly has found something that helps him focus, which is great. But I do think he’s focusing on sorta the wrong stuff. And I do think some of his fellow players may not like the analysis of their play or the public nature of it. But he changes the names and it seems fairly harmless overall. Shrug. Do what works for you imo. And then realize there might be some over analysis at work

If there was someone actively taking notes at my table everyone would laugh at them and they'd laugh even louder if he took some time to check their stats or w/e he does.

Agree with what people are saying.

I've played with 2 people (who were good players) who took tons of notes at the table, though I've never played with TDK. One observation, there was a huge distance between how they felt this impacted the table and how I thought it did -- both of them thought that they didn't slow down or change the game and that the casual players didn't care. I thought that the bad players did mind, it did slow the game down, and that the casual players played better against the "serious guy" than they did against everyone else.

IME, they underestimated how much they changed the game, in part because so much of their attention was on their device. Honestly, both were good enough players that they could have sat down, watched a few hands, and played exactly the same without those notes. Or better. One of them because hugely focused on results and bad beats, and the data made him more tilt prone.

TDK, I think you play fine. Skipping the note taking should help your game. If you can go from "super serious pro who sits at our table" to "guy who really knows baseball" or something like that, how profitable would it be? It is also possible that we're all completely wrong and nobody at the table notices or cares about your note-taking.

FWIW, the main reason I struggle to pay attention is because I dink around on my phone when I'm out of hands. So me writing or clicking buttons when I'm not involved looks the same as I've always looked - I'm just doing something that's actually productive now instead.

I don't think anyone notices - except the people I'm friends with that actually know what I'm doing. I know someone that posts here sometimes plays with me regularly and can probably attest to a) I don't slow the game down and b) people enjoy playing with me.

I have thought about people reading the blog that I wouldn't want to. For instance, if The Human Torch read it, I wouldn't feel very good about that. I've gained a lot of readers over the last several months and they seem to really enjoy and crave the content, but it has to be sort of Fight Club thing and the first rule of Fight Club is you don't talk about Fight Club - otherwise I have to change what I'm doing or stop entirely. I'm definitely not advertising my blog when I sit down at the table, so I can't say I'm too concerned about the local, casual regs coming across it.

Also, some of you really aren't grasping how the stat tracker works. It's super easy to use and pretty discreet. I keep the brightness on my phone as low as possible so the people next to me can't see what I'm doing. Something I'm definitely NOT doing is messing around with it while I'm in the middle of hands.

I agree, just keep it in mind for next time. Reminds me of a guy that often checks out of turn with a strong hand hoping the other guy will bet. Now I just check, see the river, and he gets no more bets from me.

For the record, yes that is what I meant, but mostly the first one. I have no doubt that it could help your game in the short term, but long term it will probably make the whole game worse.

I'm usually quite reserved at the table until someone cracks a Bull Durham or White Men Can't Jump reference.

Because sometimes when you win, you actually lose.

Why do you keep saying "actually" read it, like I've pretended to read it but you caught me not reading it?

I don't read your blog. I don't pretend to. I think I read one post a long time ago. I don't even remember enough to say whether I liked it or not. Maybe it's a great blog. Maybe it's a terrible blog. I just find it weird that you keep acting like I'm going to go read it so I can respond to you more accurately.

I don't shy from making comments about what people disclose by their own volition. You think you're a good multitasker and that your behavior doesn't affect the game - I don't assume that, you posted it. I think you're wrong on both accounts - not because I have read your blog thoroughly and put together some sort of personalized profile but because in general people who think those things are wrong.

Again, with zero specific knowledge of how the app works (no I don't have it, no I'm not going to download it, no I'm not following a link to your Photobucket to see screenshots), people who think they are being discreet usually are grossly underestimating how obvious they are.

It's relatively straightforward to tell the reason why someone picks up their phone, you can tell from their body language. People waiting for news hastily grab their phones when it buzzes. People who are bored usually look at the time first. You want to know who someone's best poker friend is? Suck out on them viciously and watch who they text immediately. Or if they get a funny text, see who they look up and smile at.

As a matter of fact, one of the most impirtant reads you get on people is baseline behavior. When someone who tinkers with their phone horizontally (watching a movie or playing games) suddenly grabs their phone and taps a bunch of stuff vertically, you know something unusual just happened.

I'm referring to you saying I write down every hand. I don't do that. I never said I do that. So I don't know where that comes from, aside from your own assumptions.

So when you guys say “don’t tap the glass”, you’re referring to your phones? Got it.

Noice.

TheDarkKnight, based on my biased opinion, you using the Stat Tracker is a competitive advantage you should have an ability to have.

Whether it negatively impacts the game you play in, you've indicated you don't slow down the game, make it discrete, etc

In turn, I argue that it doesn't negatively impact it to the point where it angers other players or potentially could cause the game to no longer run anymore.

Additionally, I think using that Stat Tracker app you have Live is no different than someone using PokerTracker and AceHUD in the past or any other software players may currently use now (I quit online awhile ago). Poker is a ZeroSum game from my perspective. The App is not like cheating where you're using a GTO real-time calculator while you're playing.

I personally wouldn't use that App but that's more so because I'm lazy and rarely have time to play poker anymore.

Can confirm DK has his head buried in his phone the entire time he plays poker - even before he got the stat tracker. He's probably a nightmare walking in a busy city like NYC, bumping into people left and right on the sidewalk. Certainly a terrible driver. Goddam Millenials.

stat tracker or not, being completely un-engaged is not good.

In TDK's defense, there's nothing inherently wrong with it. Or maybe more accurately, a lot of people do it.

But you gotta be honest with yourself.

It's like the parents at the playground that just let their kids do whatever and bury themselves in their phone. When they realize their kid has run off or is throwing dog poop at the other kids, are super unaware and lament, "I'm always watching my kids and the ONE TIME I look at my phone they do this!"

Sometimes you win; sometimes you lose; sometimes it rains.

Bay 101 used to have a really nice aquarium over on the asian games side.

TDK, out of curiosity is it obvious to the other players that taking poker notes on your phone is exactly what you're doing?

I ask because it's not the least bit uncommon for there to be at least one person at my table who's always on his phone and he could be taking poker notes or sexting Donald Trump's daughter for all I know.

I take quick shorthanded notes on my phone a few times a session after hands where I wasn't sure what the right decision was at a spot. I'm also normally one of the more talkative, jokier players at the table so the few times I do whip out my phone I don't think they suspect for a second I'm taking notes.

I've been playing OFC on my phone in between hands for the past five years so no one has any clue what I'm doing... nor do they care. People are always on their phones at the table. It's definitely not an unusual thing.

I'm not sure of a ruling at our table today.

SB checks the turn, EP goes all in for 3/8 of a bet. 2 LP's call the partial bet and SB wants to raise. Obviously, she can't raise since the betting wasn't reopened, but dealer gave her the choice of calling or completing. Can SB complete here? I didn't think so but both dealer and floor said she could.

She should only be allowed to call