Poker Spreadsheets

If I end up making a useful poker spreadsheet, I'll add it to this page for you to download and play with.

What kind of spreadsheets are they?

Just anything that might help explain any kind of poker concept that involves numbers.

1. Pot Growth Visualizer - Watch the pot grow.

Download (Mac): pot-growth-visualiser.numbers (original file)
Download (Excel): pot-growth-visualiser.xls (exported from Numbers.app)

• Description: See how your bets and raises affect how rapidly the size of the pot grows.
• Features: Find out how much you need to bet to set up a pot-size all-in on the river.
• Benefits: The deeper your understanding of geometric pot size growth, the better you'll get at controlling and manipulating pot sizes to your advantage.
• Source: Progressive Bet Sizing

Why use spreadsheets?

Bit old-school aren't they? Well, yeah, but they're simple and effective. You don't see knives going out of fashion.

So when I'm writing an article I may create a spreadsheet to help me out. I'll use it to help me calculate things and display information clearly. It allows me to see the strategy.

• The boxes are perfect for organizing numbers and laying out calculations in an easy to read format. This helps you to "see" the calculations in your head.
• The charts are marvelous for visualizing the results of your calculations. This helps you to "see" the results and the effects of inputs/actions.

Spreadsheets are magic for analyzing statistical things, and poker is one of those statistical things. If you can work with spreadsheets, you have a powerful tool at your disposal for analyzing ideas. Just as a gladiator would benefit from a sexy new weapon, a poker player benefits from Excel.

But what exactly can you do with spreadsheets? Honestly, play with them and see for yourself. EV equations would be a good place to start. Then try some pot odds and other mathematical stuff.

And when you get the hang of it, you'll be thankful you acquired the skill. Excel isn't just for lame databases. It's actually an awesome tool that will develop your skill of decision analysis. And winning the most money from poker is simply a case of making the best possible decisions at every opportunity.

The next time you want to work something out using numbers, try doing it in Excel (or whatever spreadsheet app you prefer).

Popular spreadsheet tools.

• Excel - The original, and the popular choice.
• Numbers - Snazzy spreadsheet offering from Apple. Sleek and effective.
• Google Docs - Free web-based app. Perfect for simpler jobs, but lacks the more complex functionality of the downloadable apps above.

Honorable Mention: Soulver (Mac)

I love Soulver. It's a cross between a calculator, a note pad, and a spreadsheet. It's a calculator/note pad mostly, and it's super handy for things like EV equations.

Go back to the handy Texas Hold'em tools.