A poker journal is your most powerful tracking tool. Five simple metrics are all you need to identify patterns and accelerate improvement.
Why Keep a Journal?
Memory is unreliable. A journal gives you objective data about your play, your mental state, and your progress over time.
The 5 Essential Metrics
Win rate (BB/100 or €/session) — your bottom line
Volume (hands or hours per session) — your grind consistency
Mental state (1-5 rating before and after) — correlation with results
Key hands (2-3 per session) — your review material
One lesson learned — your growth catalyst
How to Set Up Your Journal
Use a simple spreadsheet or notebook. One row per session. Don’t overcomplicate it — consistency beats sophistication.
What Patterns to Look For
Sessions where mental state correlates with poor results
Days/times where you perform best
Leaks that appear repeatedly across sessions
