Key Insights
Quick Answer:
- Best X for Y: Best metric to track: Error rate + hands played
- Best time to do X: Best time to start tracking: Right now
- Biggest mistake: Only tracking wins and losses
- Pro tip: Good tracking reveals mistakes before bankroll damage
Why Tracking Matters More Than Session Results
Session results lie.
Short-term outcomes are driven by:
- variance
- timing
- luck
Tracking reveals:
- consistency
- mistakes
- improvement trends
Without tracking, players confuse luck with skill.
What You Should Track (And What You Shouldn’t)
Core Metrics That Matter
Track:
- hands played
- game variant
- denomination
- time played
- error rate (if available)
These explain performance far better than profit alone.
Metrics That Mislead
Avoid focusing only on:
- win/loss per session
- biggest hit
- streaks
They hide long-term leaks.
Tracking Hands Played Changes Everything
Knowing how many hands you play:
- explains variance
- contextualizes losses
- prevents false conclusions
A losing 300-hand session means nothing.
A losing 30,000-hand sample means something.
Why Error Rate Is the Most Powerful Metric
Error rate shows:
- decision quality
- consistency
- progress
Profit can lie.
Error rate doesn’t.
Lower error rate means:
- higher effective RTP
- better long-term outcomes
How to Track Without Overcomplicating
You don’t need:
- complex spreadsheets
- advanced software
A simple log works:
- date
- game type
- hands played
- bankroll change
- notes on mistakes
Consistency beats detail.
Using Training Software for Performance Tracking
Training tools can:
- track every decision
- calculate EV loss
- highlight recurring errors
This accelerates learning far faster than guessing.
Tracking by Game Variant
Track each variant separately.
Why:
- error rates differ
- variance differs
- strategy differs
Combining data hides problems.
Tracking Online vs Casino Sessions
Online:
- faster play
- more hands
- easier data collection
Casino floors:
- slower pace
- harder to count hands
- still track time and bankroll
Adjust tracking method, not discipline.
How Often to Review Your Data
Review:
- weekly for active players
- monthly for casual players
Look for:
- recurring mistakes
- rising error rates
- bankroll stress points
Don’t review emotionally after a bad session.
Turning Data Into Action
Tracking is useless unless you:
- adjust game choice
- slow down
- revisit strategy charts
Data should change behavior.
Common Tracking Mistakes
Players often:
- track too many metrics
- quit tracking after losses
- ignore uncomfortable patterns
Tracking only helps if you’re honest.
Why Pros Track Even When Winning
Professional players:
- track to confirm discipline
- spot drift early
- prevent complacency
Winning doesn’t mean playing well.
Tracking Protects Emotional Control
Seeing data:
- reduces tilt
- removes superstition
- restores objectivity
Numbers calm emotions.
How Long Before Tracking Pays Off?
Benefits appear after:
- a few thousand hands
- consistent review
Tracking isn’t instant—but it compounds.
FAQs on Tracking Video Poker Performance
Do I Need to Track Every Session?
Yes, for accuracy.
Can Tracking Improve RTP?
Indirectly, by reducing errors.
Is Manual Tracking Enough?
Yes, if consistent.
Should Beginners Track?
Especially beginners.
Does Tracking Kill Fun?
No. It removes confusion.
Where To Go Next
Now that you know how to track your video poker performance, the next step is understanding how psychology affects decisions at the machine.
Next Article: The Psychology of Decision-Making in Video Poker (article #31)
Next Steps
If you want error context, read: Understanding Error Rates & How They Affect RTP (article #29)
If you want mental game insight next, 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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