How to track your poker results
Tracking your results shows whether you’re really winning, which games suit you and when you’re ready to move up or down. Keep it simple: after every session, record the date, game, stake, time played, buy-ins and cash-outs. A notebook or spreadsheet is enough.
What to record
Section titled “What to record”| Column | Example |
|---|---|
| Date | 10 Nov |
| Game / format | NLH cash 6-max / MTT / Spin |
| Stake or buy-in | NL5 / $2.20 |
| Hours or hands | 1.5 h / 400 hands |
| Bought in | $10 |
| Cashed out | $14.50 |
| Result | +$4.50 |
| Notes | “Tilted after cooler, stopped” |
Cash vs tournaments
Section titled “Cash vs tournaments”- Cash: track results per hours or hands; your win rate is in bb/100. See win rate.
- Tournaments: track buy-ins (including rebuys and add-ons) and prizes; your key number is ROI.
How often to look
Section titled “How often to look”- Glance after each session, but judge results monthly or after thousands of hands. Short-term results are mostly variance.
- Compare formats: maybe you win at cash and lose at Spins, or the other way round.
Include everything
Section titled “Include everything”- Rakeback and bonuses in a separate column: they’re real money. See rake and rakeback.
- Deposits and withdrawals separately from results, so you see your true bankroll.
Why it helps
Section titled “Why it helps”Tracking keeps you honest, helps you spot leaks (for example losing after 2 hours) and shows when it’s time to move up in stakes.
How should I track my poker results?
Section titled “How should I track my poker results?”After every session, record date, game, stake, time, buy-ins, cash-outs and a short note.
Should I track cash and tournaments separately?
Section titled “Should I track cash and tournaments separately?”Yes. Cash uses win rate per hands or hours; tournaments use ROI.
How often should I review my results?
Section titled “How often should I review my results?”Glance after each session but judge them monthly or after thousands of hands.
Should rakeback be included in results?
Section titled “Should rakeback be included in results?”Yes, in a separate column, because it’s real money.