Cash Game7 min read
Cash Game Profitability Check: Start With Costs Before Relying on EV
cash gamerakebankrollEV correction
Short Answer
Subtract game costs before deciding target EV. A strategy is profitable only if net EV remains positive after realistic deductions.
Costs to subtract first
Start with rake and rake caps, then adjust for blind level, seat occupancy, and opponent profile. A high sample EV can disappear after cost correction.
Common cash-game drift
Frequent mistakes include overcalling weak spots, slow adaptation to table texture, and counting edge that only appears in solver conditions.
Practical correction loop
- Net EV per 100bb = raw spot EV minus rake and clearly identified leak losses.
- Use long windows, such as 20k hands, before changing baseline assumptions.
- Compare within the same stake, table density, and effective stack.
- Review weekly with trend and variance bands instead of reacting to a single sample.