Key Insights
Quick Answer:
Best X for Y: Best metric for long-term improvement: Error rate
Best time to do X: Best time to review metrics: After every session
Biggest mistake: Tracking results but not decisions
Pro tip: Metrics do not change outcomes, but they change behaviour
Why Tracking Is Non-Negotiable For Serious Players
Skill requires feedback.
Tracking:
- reveals mistakes
- separates variance from performance
- replaces emotion with evidence
Professionals track not to prove they are winning, but to ensure they are playing correctly.
Coin-In (Total Amount Wagered)
Coin-in measures volume.
It tracks:
- total bets placed
- exposure over time
- true scale of play
Coin-in matters because expected value applies to every dollar wagered, not every session.
Hands Played
Hands played provides context.
It helps players:
- understand sample size
- interpret streaks accurately
- compare sessions fairly
Without hand count, results lack meaning.
Theoretical RTP
Theoretical RTP reflects optimal play.
Professionals track:
- the game’s expected RTP
- the assumed strategy accuracy
This creates a benchmark for evaluating real performance.
Actual RTP
Actual RTP shows outcomes.
Comparing:
- actual RTP vs theoretical RTP
Helps identify whether results are due to variance or errors.
Short-term gaps are normal. Long-term gaps signal problems.
Error Rate
Error rate is the most important metric.
It measures:
- incorrect holds
- strategy deviations
- decision mistakes
Even small error rates significantly reduce long-term returns.
Error Type Breakdown
Not all errors are equal.
Professionals track:
- missed high-value holds
- incorrect discards
- repeated mistake patterns
Fixing one recurring error often improves results more than changing games.
Expected Loss (Or Gain)
Expected loss quantifies reality.
It is calculated using:
- coin-in
- house edge
- strategy accuracy
Expected loss explains why a losing session was normal, not unlucky.
Actual Win Or Loss
Results still matter.
Tracking wins and losses:
- supports bankroll management
- informs tax considerations
- provides historical context
But results alone never define performance quality.
Variance And Standard Deviation
Variance explains volatility.
Professionals monitor:
- expected swing size
- volatility of chosen games
This helps determine whether a streak is unusual or expected.
Session Length
Time matters.
Tracking session length:
- reveals fatigue patterns
- identifies discipline breakdowns
- links errors to duration
Long sessions often correlate with rising error rates.
Hands Per Hour
Speed influences exposure.
Professionals track:
- play pace
- changes across environments
Higher speed increases variance and magnifies mistakes.
Environment Played
Context affects decisions.
Players log:
- online
- mobile
- casino
Comparing environments reveals where discipline suffers most.
Game Variant And Paytable
Details matter.
Professionals always record:
- exact variant
- exact paytable
Even small paytable changes alter strategy and expected value.
Bankroll Size
Bankroll tracking prevents ruin.
Professionals track:
- starting bankroll
- ending bankroll
- drawdowns
This ensures stakes remain appropriate to variance.
Maximum Drawdown
Drawdown measures stress tolerance.
It tracks:
- largest drop from peak bankroll
Understanding drawdowns helps players:
- stay emotionally prepared
- avoid panic decisions
Frequency Of Big Hands
Big hands distort perception.
Tracking:
- four-of-a-kinds
- royals
- bonus triggers
Helps players see how rare these events truly are.
Loss Streak Lengths
Streak tracking builds realism.
Professionals log:
- longest losing streaks
- frequency of extended droughts
This prevents emotional shock when variance hits.
Decision Confidence Notes
Some metrics are qualitative.
Professionals often note:
- fatigue
- distraction
- confidence levels
These notes explain why numbers change.
Tilt Indicators
Tilt is measurable.
Signs include:
- speed increases
- bet changes
- strategy deviations
Tracking tilt indicators helps stop sessions early.
Comparison Across Time Periods
Professionals analyse:
- daily trends
- weekly patterns
- monthly averages
Short-term noise disappears when data is aggregated.
Why Professionals Do Not Obsess Over Daily Results
Daily results are volatile.
Professionals focus on:
- execution quality
- error reduction
- discipline consistency
Results follow behaviour, not the other way around.
Simple Tools Professionals Use
Tracking does not require complexity.
Common tools include:
- spreadsheets
- notebooks
- training software
Consistency matters more than format.
Why Automation Helps But Is Not Required
Automated tools:
- reduce effort
- improve accuracy
But manual tracking:
- increases awareness
- reinforces accountability
Both are effective if used consistently.
How Tracking Improves Emotional Control
Data grounds emotion.
When players know:
- expected loss
- variance range
They react less to short-term swings.
The Difference Between Casual Logs And Professional Tracking
Casual logs track money.
Professional logs track:
- decisions
- context
- patterns
The difference is intent.
How Tracking Protects Bankrolls
Tracking enforces limits.
It reveals:
- when stakes are too high
- when fatigue sets in
- when discipline slips
Most bankroll damage happens without tracking.
When Tracking Reveals A Game Is Not Worth Playing
Metrics expose reality.
Players learn:
- some games drain faster
- some environments cause errors
- some sessions are unproductive
Data guides smarter selection.
Why Tracking Feels Uncomfortable At First
Tracking removes excuses.
It forces players to confront:
- mistakes
- impatience
- discipline gaps
Discomfort signals growth.
Building A Daily Tracking Habit
Habits make tracking sustainable.
Professionals:
- log immediately after sessions
- keep formats simple
- review regularly
Consistency beats detail.
How Long It Takes For Metrics To Become Useful
Patterns emerge over time.
Typically:
- 500 to 1,000 hands show trends
- several thousand hands show reliability
Patience is required.
Why Most Players Avoid Tracking
Tracking challenges ego.
It removes:
- luck narratives
- selective memory
- emotional shortcuts
Avoidance is common but costly.
Accepting What Metrics Can And Cannot Do
Metrics do not:
- guarantee wins
- remove variance
- eliminate risk
They improve clarity, not certainty.
Why Professionals Trust Data Over Feeling
Feelings change quickly.
Data remains consistent.
Trusting data:
- stabilises decisions
- reduces tilt
- improves long-term outcomes
FAQs On Video Poker Tracking Metrics
What Is The Most Important Metric?
Error rate, because it directly affects RTP.
Should Casual Players Track Too?
Yes, even basic tracking improves discipline.
How Often Should Metrics Be Reviewed?
After every session, with deeper reviews weekly.
Do Metrics Remove Variance?
No. They explain it.
Is Tracking Worth The Effort?
Yes, for anyone serious about improvement.
Where To Go Next
Now that you understand the metrics professionals track daily, the final step is learning how to prepare before you ever sit down at a machine.
Next Article: The Ultimate Pre-Session Checklist for Video Poker Success (Article #60)
Next Steps
If you want tracking context, read: How to Track Your Video Poker Performance Over Time (Article #30)
If you want psychology foundations, read: The Psychology of Decision-Making in Video Poker (Article #31)
Want the full framework? Use: The Complete Guide to Video Poker (pillar)
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