Watch with chapters and the full transcript →
Watch: a real CSV history import followed by a complete HG Poker game walkthrough
A spreadsheet can work for a few poker nights. Then the file grows, player names drift, rebuys get entered late, and the host becomes the only person who understands the formulas. The worst part is feeling trapped by the history you already recorded.
You do not have to start over. If your home game history is sitting in Excel, Google Sheets, or another tracker, export it as a CSV and submit it through HG Poker. After you create the account that should receive the history, we can review the file and load compatible records into that account at no extra charge.
Key Takeaway
Ready to move your records? Create your HG Poker account first, then email the CSV to keven@hgpoker.io from the same account email.
Why Home Poker Spreadsheets Break Down
Spreadsheets are useful, but they are not designed for someone who is also hosting, playing, handling chips, and answering questions at the table.
- ▸Every buy-in or rebuy has to be typed into the correct cell
- ▸A misspelled name can split one player into multiple records
- ▸Settlement formulas become fragile when buy-in amounts vary
- ▸Mobile editing is awkward during a live game
- ▸Sharing a clean live view or standings page takes extra work
- ▸The host still has to turn raw rows into long-term stats
How to Import Your Poker History From CSV
- 1Download HG Poker and create the account that should receive the historical games.
- 2Open your existing spreadsheet in Excel, Google Sheets, Numbers, or your current tracker.
- 3Export or download the data as a CSV file. Keep the original spreadsheet as your backup.
- 4Email the CSV to keven@hgpoker.io from the same email as your HG Poker account.
- 5Add notes about unusual columns, duplicate names, locations, or anything else that will help interpret the history.
- 6The file is checked and reviewed before compatible records are added to the matched account.
Pro Tip
Clear dates, consistent player names, and one obvious result per player make an import easier to review. If your layout is unusual, explain it in the notes instead of changing your only copy.
What the CSV Import Can Preserve
In the video, a real user’s spreadsheet history is transferred into HG Poker. The imported account keeps the information that makes the old games useful instead of receiving a blank new profile.
Scroll table horizontally →
| Spreadsheet history | Inside HG Poker |
|---|---|
| Historical sessions | Past games appear in the account history |
| Player names | Players are ready for future games |
| Results and winners | Each game shows who finished up or down |
| Game totals | Sessions retain the available pot and result information |
| Long-term records | Imported results contribute to standings and stats |
CSV layouts vary, so the exact import depends on what your file contains. The review step helps match the correct account, detect duplicates, and clarify anything that should not be guessed.
What Changes After You Leave the Spreadsheet
Importing old games solves the history problem. From then on, HG Poker replaces the manual spreadsheet workflow with a purpose-built flow for the table.
Create the game with the right settings
Set the stakes, default or custom buy-in, date, time, and location. You can also enable Bank Mode when one person collects buy-ins and handles payouts.
Add existing players and draw seats
Imported and saved players are ready to select. A built-in random seat draw assigns the dealer, blinds, and remaining seats fairly.
Track every buy-in and rebuy as it happens
A standard rebuy takes one tap. Custom amounts are available, and the host can remove an incorrect entry without repairing spreadsheet formulas.
Share the live game with the group
Send a live link to the group chat so players can follow the pot, entries, and game status without editing the source data.
Stop doing the math manually.
HG Poker logs buy-ins and rebuys and suggests who pays whom after the chip count. Players pay each other outside the app. Try it on iPhone or Android.
Count Chips and Settle Without Spreadsheet Math
At the end of the night, enter each player’s chip count. HG Poker compares the chips with recorded buy-ins and rebuys and tells you whether the game balances before you continue.
Once the numbers balance, the settlement screen calculates who should pay whom and how much. Payments can be marked complete as the group settles, removing the late-night formula-editing step.
Keep Standings Everyone Can See
When the game is finished, HG Poker creates a shareable result with the game name, stakes, pot, winners, losses, and all-time standings.
- ▸Games played and win rate
- ▸Best and worst sessions
- ▸Profit history and graph
- ▸Performance by location
- ▸All-time group standings
Import the Past, Track the Next Game Live
Your spreadsheet history should not stop you from using a better system. Create your HG Poker account, export your old records as CSV, and submit the file for review. Once the history is in place, track the next game live from the first buy-in through the final payment.
Key Takeaway
Start here: create your HG Poker account, then email your CSV to keven@hgpoker.io. There is no extra charge for the import shown in this guide.
Only a few games, or notes instead of a spreadsheet? Connect HG Poker to ChatGPT or Claude and tap Bring my history in. Paste the games or share a photo of a paper ledger; the AI shows a preview of every game, and nothing is saved until you confirm.
How to bring your poker history in with ChatGPT or Claude
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I import an Excel or Google Sheets poker tracker?
Yes. Export the sheet as a CSV first, then upload that CSV through the HG Poker import page.
Should I delete my spreadsheet after importing?
No. Keep the original file as your source backup, especially until you have reviewed the imported games.
What if two players have similar names?
Mention it in the submission notes. Ambiguous identities should be clarified rather than automatically merged.
Can players follow the game without editing anything?
Yes. The host can share a live game link and later share the postgame results and standings.
Related Reading
- ▸How to Track Poker Winnings and Losses at Home Games — /blog/how-to-track-poker-winnings-home-game
- ▸How to Settle Poker Debts: The Fair, Fast, No-Argument Method — /how-to-settle-up-a-home-poker-game
- ▸What Is HG Poker? The App for Home Game Hosts Explained — /blog/what-is-hg-poker-app-explained
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