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Yeah but it's a waste of time when they can frequently d9 and you will reach time doing this

The better strategy than trying to get a grip on your opponents hand is frequently playing /practicing the game and getting a deep understanding of the meta.

I've found that hand knowledge is trivial if you are flat out playing cards and strategies that you know just work. Sure having a bit of insight can help at times, but what's more effective throughout an entire tournament is being well versed in the game, having a solid understanding of what simply will work in the majority of cases regardless of what your opponent has in their hand or even their deck..

I believe it was ruled a long time ago that no other objects could be on the playing surface other than cards and counters. (This was before the discard pile was open knowledge and people wanted ways to keep track of which dominants their opponent had played). However, I don't believe that rule was ever codified as I don't remember coming across it when we went through the Tournament Guide updates a few months ago.

I think it's important that pen and paper be codified legal. Note taking is a standard hallmark of every card game competitive scene I've observed and I've been quite surprised that it hasn't really been a thing in Redemption, especially at Nats. Cards like Tree of Knowledge that show you everything they draw also encourage it by allowing you to just make a quick note when the draw happens and doesn't slow the game.

I could be wrong, but I thought back in the day for Redemption we were allowed to take notes.

That's very possible--I recall the conversation (and subsequent decision by Rob to not allow notes) taking place shortly after I joined the forum in 2003, which if memory serves is around the time you stepped away from Redemption.

I believe the primary reason given was the time factor (particularly in multi-player events).