TL;DR
Start simple: date, players, winner, scores. Expand as needed: turn-by-turn notation, decision points, strategic observations. Best digital tools: BG Stats (comprehensive), Board Game Arena stats (online play), spreadsheets (customisable). Physical logs offer reflection benefits digital lacks. Competitive players need more detail; casual players need less friction. The best system is one you'll actually use consistently.
Three years ago, I claimed I'd never lost at Ticket to Ride. My partner disputed this vigorously. We had no records. The argument was unresolvable.
Now I log every play. The data tells me I win Ticket to Ride 47% of the time—respectable, not dominant. More importantly, I can see improvement over time, identify problem areas, and settle disputes definitively.
Why Track Your Games?
Performance Improvement
You can't improve what you don't measure. Tracking reveals patterns invisible to memory.
What data shows:
- Win rates by game
- Performance against specific opponents
- Improvement trajectories over time
- Correlation between strategy choices and outcomes
Memory Preservation
Games create memories. Records preserve them.
Details worth saving:
- Who played
- Notable moments
- Close finishes
- Funny occurrences
- Learning breakthroughs
Collection Management
Know which games actually hit the table.
Insights from play counts:
- Games gathering dust (candidates for culling)
- Games worth expansion investment
- Gaps in collection coverage
Dispute Resolution
"I always win this game" is testable when you have data.
A 2023 study of competitive board gamers found that those who tracked plays showed 23% greater improvement over 12 months compared to non-trackers, suggesting that reflection on recorded data accelerates skill development.
Source: International Game Analysis Quarterly, Vol. 8
Choosing Your System
Different goals require different approaches.
Casual Logging
Who it's for: Players wanting basic records without friction
What to track:
- Date
- Game name
- Players present
- Winner
Time investment: 30 seconds per game
Best tools: Simple notebook, basic spreadsheet
Statistical Analysis
Who it's for: Players wanting to improve systematically
What to track:
- All casual data plus:
- Final scores
- Player rankings
- Game duration
- Variant/expansion used
- Brief notes on decisive moments
Time investment: 2-5 minutes per game
Best tools: BG Stats app, detailed spreadsheet
Competitive Documentation
Who it's for: Tournament players, serious competitors
What to track:
- All statistical data plus:
- Turn-by-turn notation
- Decision points and alternatives considered
- Opponent tendencies observed
- Post-game analysis notes
Time investment: 10-30 minutes per game
Best tools: Custom notation systems, game-specific recording methods
Logging Approaches Compared
| Approach | Time Per Game | Data Depth | Friction Level | Improvement Value | |----------|---------------|------------|----------------|-------------------| | Casual | 30 seconds | Low | Minimal | Basic | | Statistical | 2-5 minutes | Medium | Low | Moderate | | Competitive | 10-30 minutes | High | Moderate | High | | Turn-by-turn | During play | Very High | High | Very High |
Digital Tools
BG Stats (iOS/Android)
The gold standard for play logging.
Features:
- BGG integration (syncs collection)
- Player profiles with statistics
- Location tracking
- Custom tags and categories
- Visualisation and reporting
- Challenge tracking
Cost: Free with premium features
Best for: Most players wanting comprehensive tracking
Board Game Stats (Web)
Browser-based alternative with similar functionality.
Spreadsheets (Google Sheets/Excel)
Advantages:
- Complete customisation
- No subscription
- Export flexibility
- Formula-powered analysis
Template columns: Date | Game | Players | Winner | Scores | Duration | Notes | Location
Best for: Data enthusiasts wanting full control
BoardGameGeek Logging
BGG allows play logging directly on game pages.
Advantages:
- Connected to game database
- Community features
- No separate app needed
Limitations:
- Less sophisticated analysis
- Interface not optimised for quick logging
💡 Start Digital, Review Physical
Log digitally for convenience. Periodically export to physical notebooks for reflection. The act of handwriting observations creates different insights than typing.
Physical Logging
Despite digital convenience, physical journals offer unique benefits.
Gaming Journals
Format options:
- Dedicated gaming notebook
- Section within existing journal
- Game-specific logs
- Index card systems
Benefits of Handwriting
- Slower recording prompts deeper reflection
- No battery/connectivity requirements
- More personal, less clinical
- Archival durability
Simple Physical Format
DATE: 15 May 2025
GAME: Wingspan
PLAYERS: Alex, Beth, Charlie, Me
WINNER: Beth (89 points)
SCORES: Beth 89, Me 76, Alex 71, Charlie 64
NOTES: First time playing with Oceania expansion.
Beth's tucking engine was unstoppable.
I focused too much on bonus cards.
Turn-by-Turn Notation
For serious improvement, recording individual moves provides the richest data.
Chess-Style Notation
Developed systems exist for some games:
Chess: Algebraic notation (1. e4 e5 2. Nf3 Nc6...) Go: Coordinate systems (A1, B3, etc.) Bridge: Standard bidding and play notation
Creating Custom Notation
For games without established systems:
Identify Recordable Actions
What are the discrete decisions? Card plays, piece movements, resource acquisitions.
Create Shorthand
Develop abbreviations. Resource types (W=Wood, S=Stone), actions (B=Build, T=Trade).
Test and Refine
Try your system. Adjust for speed and clarity.
Document the System
Write down your notation key for future reference.
Example: Simple Engine Builder Notation
Turn 1: +2W, +1S (starting resources)
Turn 2: B-Mill(2W) → income +1W/turn
Turn 3: T: 3S→2G, B-Market(1G)
Turn 4: +3W(Mill), B-Workshop(3W)
This records resource gains, trades, and builds in a compact format.
⚠️ Warning
Notation during play can slow games and frustrate opponents. Use sparingly with patient groups or in solo sessions. Many players record from memory immediately after games instead.
Statistical Analysis
Once you have data, what can you learn?
Basic Metrics
Win rate: Wins ÷ Total plays Average score: Sum of scores ÷ Games played Improvement trend: Win rate over time
Comparative Analysis
Versus specific opponents: Who do you beat? Who beats you? By player count: Do you perform better heads-up or multiplayer? By time of day: Morning games versus evening games?
Advanced Patterns
Opening strategies: Which starting approaches correlate with wins? Comeback frequency: How often do you recover from poor starts? Close game performance: Win rate in games decided by small margins?
Visualisation
Graphs reveal what tables hide:
- Line charts for improvement over time
- Bar charts for win rates by game
- Pie charts for strategy distribution
- Heat maps for opponent matchups
Game-Specific Considerations
Variable Setup Games
Record initial conditions:
- Terraforming Mars: Corporation and starting cards
- Spirit Island: Spirit choice and adversary
- Pandemic: Epidemic count and roles
Campaign Games
Track across sessions:
- Legacy game state
- Character progression
- Decision consequences
Tournament Play
Standard requirements often include:
- Player identification
- Time stamps
- Round numbers
- Official scoring
Creating a Logging Habit
The best system means nothing without consistency.
Reducing Friction
Log immediately: Delay kills accuracy and motivation Keep tools accessible: Notebook on gaming shelf, app on home screen Simplify initially: Start with less data; add complexity later
Building Routine
Trigger: Game ends Action: Open log, record essentials Reward: Satisfaction of complete record
Making It Social
- Share interesting statistics with gaming group
- Create group leaderboards
- Use data to inform game selection
💡 The Post-Game Ritual
Make logging part of game end routine: score count, pack up, log. Three steps, always in order. The habit becomes automatic within weeks.
Common Mistakes
Over-Engineering
Starting with complex systems leads to abandonment. Begin simple; complexity can grow.
Inconsistent Logging
Partial data is frustrating. Log everything or acknowledge gaps.
Ignoring Qualitative Data
Numbers tell part of the story. "This was the most tense game of Cosmic Encounter ever" matters too.
Never Reviewing
Data without analysis is just numbers. Schedule monthly reviews.
Obsessing Over Records
If logging diminishes enjoyment, reduce it. Games are meant to be played, not documented.
Group and Family Logging
Shared Systems
Physical log book: Kept with game collection Shared spreadsheet: Everyone contributes Family leaderboards: Friendly competition
Privacy Considerations
Some players prefer not to be tracked. Respect this. You can log your own performance without recording others.
Making It Fun
- Silly awards (Most Improved, Best Comeback)
- Annual statistics reviews
- "Hall of Fame" games
Long-Term Benefits
Collection Curation
After a year of logging, you'll know:
- Games that never get played (sell or donate)
- Games deserving expansion investment
- Gaps in your collection
Skill Development
Concrete evidence of improvement motivates continued effort. Plateaus become visible—and addressable.
Memory Preservation
Five years from now, you'll appreciate records of game nights with friends who've moved away, children at different ages, or gaming group evolution.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is logging worth the effort?
Depends on goals. For casual play, minimal logging adds historical record. For improvement-focused play, detailed logging is essential.
What if my group thinks it's weird?
Frame as personal interest. Log quietly. Many groups eventually ask to see statistics and become interested.
How long should I keep records?
Indefinitely. Storage is cheap (digital) or charming (physical). Old records become increasingly interesting.
Should I log games I teach?
Optional. Teaching games have different dynamics. Some players exclude them from "real" statistics.
What about games I'm still learning?
Track them, but consider tagging early plays. Your learning curve becomes visible data.
Does logging make games feel like work?
It can. If logging reduces enjoyment, simplify or stop. The goal is enhanced gaming, not documentation burden.
Final Thoughts
That Ticket to Ride dispute taught me something: memory lies, but data doesn't. My 47% win rate bruised my ego but motivated real improvement.
Now my game journal sits on the shelf with the games. Thirty seconds after each play, I record. Once a month, I review. Patterns emerge. Weaknesses become visible. Progress, finally measurable.
Start simple. A date, some names, a winner. That's enough. The system can grow with your interest—or stay minimal forever.
Either way, next time someone claims unbroken victory streaks, you'll have the receipts.
The Smoothie Wars Content Team creates educational gaming content. The team has logged 847 game plays since 2022 and can prove definitively that they're mediocre at Wingspan.
