The Ultimate Poker Cash Game Spreadsheet: Track Rake, Win Rate, and Profit in No-Limit Hold'em
In the world of poker cash games, the table is where skill meets luck, but the real edge often comes from how well you measure and manage your results. A purpose-built spreadsheet turns messy numbers into meaningful insight, turning days of playing into a consistent plan for profitability. This guide walks you through building a comprehensive poker cash game spreadsheet designed for No-Limit Hold’em, with benchmarks, formulas, and practical tips you can implement today. Whether you play live or online, at $0.25/$0.50 or $5/$10, a well-structured ledger will help you control variance, protect your bankroll, and steadily improve your decision-making at the table.
Why every cash-game player needs a spreadsheet
Cash games are a different beast from tournaments. You don’t have a fixed end time, and the result of a single session is heavily influenced by luck over short horizons. A spreadsheet helps by:
- Providing an auditable trail of your results to monitor progress over weeks, months, and quarters.
- Enabling disciplined bankroll management so you don’t chase losses or tilt beyond your means.
- Quantifying key performance indicators (KPIs) like win rate, hourly profit, and break-even resistance, which guide future decisions about table selection, stake level, and game mix.
- Highlighting rake efficiency and understanding how much of your profit is eaten by fees versus skill.
- Facilitating quick scenario planning—how many big hands or hours do you need to achieve a target profit?
With clear data, you can separate the signal from the noise. A well-maintained ledger reduces cognitive load during sessions and helps you review decisions with a calm, evidence-based lens. This is a resource you return to, not a one-off sheet you create and forget.
Key metrics to track in a poker cash game spreadsheet
A strong cash-game spreadsheet should cover both the micro-details of each session and the macro picture of your overall profitability. Here are the core metrics to track and why they matter:
: Date, Table/Seat, Stakes (e.g., $0.25/$0.50), Buy-in, Hands played, Hours at the table. This anchors all calculations and helps you spot patterns (e.g., long sessions under tilt). : The starting stack at the session's begin and the final stack when you leave. Net profit from the session is determined by Ending - Starting - Buy-in. : The cash you actually gained or lost after accounting for the initial buy-in. This is the raw measure of your performance per session. : Total rake charged during the session (and any caps). Understanding rake helps you separate skill from the cost of playing in a particular room or format. (BB): Convert dollar profit into big blinds using the current Big Blind size. This makes performance comparable across different stakes and formats. : Total hands played and the effective hourly rate. High-volume sessions that produce strong win rates are more reliable indicators than low-volume results. (BB/100): A normalized measure of profitability per 100 hands. It lets you compare performance across stake levels and tables with different rake structures. : Running total profit, rolling averages, and a target-based forecast (e.g., what it would take to hit a monthly profit goal). : Current bankroll, maximum drawdown, and recovery time. This supports responsible staking and risk management. : Sparkline or mini-charts showing monthly profit, win rate trends, and variance patterns. Visuals speed up interpretation.
By aligning these metrics in a single system, you can answer questions like: Am I beating the game after rake? Is my win rate sustainable given the current fill rate of tables I sit at? Do I need to adjust stake levels to protect my bankroll? A good spreadsheet makes these questions answerable in real time.
Template structure: a blueprint you can copy today
Think of the spreadsheet as a modular toolkit. You can start with a simple Sessions sheet and expand into dashboards, rake analysis, and EV calculations. Below is a practical blueprint you can implement in Google Sheets or Excel. Each sheet is designed to be intuitive, with data validation to reduce entry errors and built-in formulas to automate the math.
1) Dashboard (Overview)
Purpose: A quick, at-a-glance view of your current profitability and a few essential trends.
- Key metrics: Total profit, Total hands, Overall win rate (BB/100), Average session length, Total buy-ins, Total rake, Net profit margin.
- Progress indicators: A single metric showing progress toward a monthly profit target, with a simple gauge or color cue (green for on-track, red for off-track).
- Mini charts: A sparkline for monthly profit and a line chart for cumulative profit over the last 12 weeks.
2) Sessions (Transaction log)
Purpose: The primary data entry sheet. Each row is a single session with all the contextual details.
- Columns (example): Date, Session ID, Stakes, Buy-in, Hands, Hours, Starting Stack, Ending Stack, Net Profit, Rake, Table Type (cash), Notes.
- Formulas (examples):
- Net Profit: EndingStack - StartingStack - BuyIn
- Ending Balance (for the session): EndingStack
- Profit in Big Blinds (BB): NetProfit / BBSize
3) Rake & Fees (Rake tracking)
Purpose: Separate the cost of playing from the results to understand true profitability and to compare rooms or formats with different rake structures.
- Columns: Session ID (link), Rake per session, Maximum cap, Total Rake to date
- Formulas: Cumulative rake: =SUM(RakePerSession range)
4) EV Calculator (Expected value modeling)
Purpose: A lightweight model to estimate what your results would look like if your decisions were replicated across different hands or runouts.
- Conceptually separate from raw results, the EV calculator uses input assumptions (e.g., average pot size, expected aggression, fold equity) to output an estimated win rate under certain scenarios.
- Practical note: this is a planning tool, not a crystal ball. Use it to stress-test your strategies rather than to pretend certainty.
5) Bankroll & Drawdown (risk management)
Purpose: Track the health of your bankroll, set risk thresholds, and avoid bankroll-related tilt or reckless escalation of stakes.
- Columns: Current Balance, Max Drawdown, Recovery Target, Safe Bankroll Range
- Formulas: Max Drawdown from a rolling period, e.g., the difference between the peak balance and the lowest subsequent balance.
6) Graphs & Visuals (Insight at a glance)
Purpose: Use charts and sparklines to draw attention to trends, not just raw numbers.
- Examples: Sparkline of monthly profit, bar chart of BB/100 by stake, cumulative profit line graph.
- Note: In Google Sheets, you can insert a sparkline with a simple formula like =SPARKLINE(ProfitRange, {"charttype","line"}) to keep the sheet lightweight and fast.
7) Data hygiene and structure
Tips to keep the file scalable and user-friendly:
- Use data validation for Stakes and Table Type to avoid typos and ensure consistent categorization.
- Name ranges (for example, BBSize or RiskLevel) so formulas remain readable and portable.
- Separate raw entries from computed fields; never overwrite formulas with manual data.
- Document your sheet in a dedicated “README” or “Doc” tab so you can onboard a coach or a new assistant without confusion.
Practical formulas you can implement right away
Here are concrete starting points you can adapt to your own sheet design. Replace the placeholders with your actual column letters or named ranges as you build your templates.
- Net profit per session (example, in a row where StartingStack is in column G, EndingStack in H, Buy-in in D):
=H2 - G2 - D2 - Profit in big blinds for a session (assuming BB size is in a named cell called BB_SIZE, and Net Profit is in I2):
=I2 / BB_SIZE - Running total profit (cumulative profit up to current row):
=SUM($I$2:I2) - Running total hands (for accuracy in BB/100 calculations):
=SUM($E$2:E2) - Win rate in BB/100 for a range (example: total net profit in dollars divided by BB size, scaled by hands):
= (SUM($I$2:$I$100) / BB_SIZE) * 100 / SUM($E$2:$E$100) - Rake efficiency (net profit relative to total rake):
= SUM($I$2:$I$100) / SUM($J$2:$J$100) - Projected monthly profit (based on a running average):
=AVERAGE($I$2:$I$31) * 31
Notes and caveats:
- The BB_SIZE should reflect the actual big blind amount at the stake you’re playing (for example, at $0.5/$1, BB might be $1).
- If you use Google Sheets, you can convert your “Stakes” column into a dynamic BB-size reference by using a small lookup table that maps each stake to its BB value, then pull that into your calculations with VLOOKUP or XLOOKUP (depending on your spreadsheet flavor).
- Keep your formulas robust by locking references in total rows and allowing dynamic growth as you add more sessions. For example, use SUM($I$2:I2) and then drag down as you add rows.
A practical example: walking through a 6-session snapshot
Let’s ground the concept with a concrete example. Imagine you played six cash sessions at $1/$2 ($2 big blind) with varying volumes and rake structures. In one session, you start with $250, you finish with $260, you add a buy-in of $200, and you pay $18 in rake. Across all six sessions, you accumulate 1,350 hands and accumulate 4.5 hours of play. Here’s how you’d reconcile that in the spreadsheet:
- Session data: Dates/time, Stakes $1/$2, Buy-in $200, Hands 250 (example), Hours 0.75, Starting $250, Ending $260, Rake $18, Net Profit for the session = 260 - 250 - 200 = -$190 (a rough scenario where additional winnings covered some losses; the exact numbers depend on pot outcomes and buy-ins).
- BB calculation: Net Profit in BB = -$190 / $2 = -95 BB for that session. If you ran 6 sessions with total Net Profit of, say, -$40 and 1,350 hands, your overall BB/100 might look different, and you’d adjust your strategy accordingly.
- Dashboard impact: The cumulative profit across sessions, overall hands, and the running BB/100 rate would update automatically, giving you immediate feedback about whether your adjustments are moving the needle in the right direction.
In real life, you’d fill in every session row with actual transactional data and verify your numbers with the room’s statements. Over several weeks, the aggregate picture emerges: your win rate under the current rake structure, how much of your profits go to rake, and where your edge comes from (position, table selection, or shot-taking aggression). The important takeaway is that the spreadsheet rewards consistent data entry and precise math. Even modest improvements—like reducing untracked unforced errors or recognizing profitable table dynamics—show up as measurable gains in the dashboard.
Visualization, analysis, and habit-building
Visualization is often the jump from data to action. A few simple charts in your dashboard can reveal patterns you might miss in a dense list of numbers.
- Monthly profit sparkline: A quick line showing profit across each month. A downward trend suggests you may need to adjust table selection or playing frequency.
- BB/100 by stake: A bar chart that compares BB/100 across stake levels. If you notice weaker samples at certain stakes, it could indicate higher-than-expected variance or suboptimal table selection.
- Drawdown curve: A line chart that tracks maximum drawdown over time. This helps you maintain appropriate risk controls and avoid reckless stake increases during tilt or streaks of bad luck.
Beyond visuals, the real power comes from habit-building. Treat your spreadsheet like a weekly routine: log every session within 24 hours, review your running metrics, and compare your actual results to your plan. If your weekly plan targets a certain BB/100 and you fall short, your next decision becomes evidence-based rather than impulsive. The clarity gained from monthly or quarterly reviews can be transformative for long-term profitability.
Best practices for maintaining a clean, scalable poker cash game spreadsheet
- Consistency beats perfection. Start with a simple version and expand only when you’re comfortable with the core data and formulas.
- Backups are not optional. Use cloud storage (e.g., Google Drive or OneDrive) and consider exporting a monthly snapshot to a local drive for archival.
- Version control helps when you experiment with new metrics or formulas. Keep a changelog in a separate tab or document so you can reproduce decisions later.
- Documentation is essential. A one-page guide in a tab named “Doc” makes it easier for you or a coach to understand the data flow and the logic behind each calculation.
- Privacy and security matter. If you share spreadsheets with coaches or peers, remove sensitive personal data and use access controls to protect your bankroll information.
Common mistakes and how to fix them
Even experienced players can overlook critical details when they design their own systems. Here are frequent missteps and practical remedies:
- Ignoring rake when measuring profitability. Fix: Always track rake separately and include it in your net profit calculation so you don’t conflate gross winnings with net results.
- Inconsistent data entry. Fix: Use data validation for fields like Stakes and Table Type, and require mandatory fields for each session entry (Date, Stakes, Buy-in, Hands, Starting Stack, Ending Stack).
- Failing to normalize across stakes. Fix: Multiply or divide profits by BBsize to compare performance across different stake levels. A separate “BBs” column makes cross-stakes analysis simpler.
- Overcomplication too early. Fix: Start with Sessions and Dashboard sheets and gradually add Rake, EV, and Bankroll sheets as you gain comfort and proven processes.
- Lack of regular review. Fix: Schedule a weekly data-check (15-20 minutes) to reconcile entries, adjust formulas, and reflect on decisions that led to profit or loss.
Advanced tips for power users
If you want to push your spreadsheet to the next level, here are a few ideas you can implement when you’re ready:
- Monte Carlo-like scenario planning: Create a simple model to simulate how your monthly profit could change under different win-rate scenarios, helping you understand your risk profile.
- Seat/position-based insights: Add a Position column and track performance by early position, middle position, and late position to identify favorable spots at your current table dynamics.
- Streak analysis: Build a small module that detects hot and cold streaks and suggests when to adjust table selection or stake choices to protect your bankroll.
- Automation using scripts: If you’re comfortable with scripting, write a small automation to pull session data from your poker client’s export or email notifications into your Sessions sheet, reducing manual entry time.
Getting started: actionable steps to build your spreadsheet
Here’s a straightforward path to a functional, scalable poker cash game spreadsheet you can implement this week:
- Define stakes you will track and determine your Big Blind size. Create a small lookup table that maps stake levels to BBsize for consistency across calculations.
- Create the Sessions sheet with essential columns: Date, Session ID, Stakes, Buy-in, Hands, Hours, Starting Stack, Ending Stack, Net Profit, Rake, Notes.
- Implement core formulas in the Sessions sheet: Net Profit = EndingStack - StartingStack - Buy-in; BB Profit = NetProfit / BBsize.
- Set up a Dashboard sheet to pull aggregate data: total profit, total hands, BB/100, average session length, and cumulative profit.
- Add a Rake sheet to track cumulative rake and rake-to-profit ratio across sessions.
- Introduce smart visuals: a sparkline for monthly profit, a BB/100 bar chart by stake, and a cumulative profit line.
- Roll out simple EV and Bankroll sheets as you gain confidence. Keep documentation within the file for future you or for collaborators.
- Run a weekly review. Compare actual results to your plan, adjust stake levels, seat choice, and session targets accordingly.
By following these steps, you’ll create a practical, scalable, and SEO-friendly resource that not only helps you win more consistently but also communicates your approach clearly to coaches, partners, or readers who want to learn from your method.
If you adopt this systematic approach to tracking and analyzing cash-game results, you’ll gain a transparent view of where your strengths lie and where you can improve. The gains come not only from better results at the table but from the discipline of data-driven decision-making that translates into better long-term profitability. Start with a lean version today, then expand with confidence as your comfort grows. Your future self will thank you for the clarity and control a well-crafted poker cash game spreadsheet provides.
Ready to build your own spreadsheet? Begin with the Sessions sheet, plug in a few real sessions, and watch the dashboard come to life. As you log more data, your insights compound: you’ll understand your true win rate after rake, you’ll see how your hourly rate behaves as you adjust table selection, and you’ll spot opportunities to optimize your game that were invisible before you started collecting data. The end result isn’t merely a ledger of numbers; it’s a structured framework for consistent improvement at the poker table.
Good luck at the tables—and may your spreadsheets be as sharp as your reads.
