M-Ratio

This week, we open the satchel of poker tips and pull out the exercise book that deals with M-ratio.

It a term invented by professional backgammon player Paul Magriel who, when he's not tumbling dice, also finds time to sit down at the occasional poker game and pen a few books.

Although the term and theory are his babies, as is often the case with these definitions, the basic principles were already applied by advanced players such as Doyle Brunson.

The M-ratio is a simple measurement of chip stack when factored against the price of playing each round.

M is equal to the number of laps a player can survive, making only compulsory bets, before his chip run out.

It is deduced by the following formula:

M = stack/SB+BB+(ante x number of players)

Example: in a ten player game, with blinds of $100/$200 and antes of $10, a player with a $2000 stack has the M-ratio of 5: he will be dead in five rounds (or fifty hands) if just makes the compulsory bets.

This can be more useful in tournaments than cash games – in the latter, a player can effectively set his own M-ratio as he can keep buying chips.

However, in tournaments, knowing your M-ratio, and thus the power of your stack, is a real asset.

To this end, pro Dan Harrington went to the blackboard and created five M Zones to help give novice and veteran alike a quick reference.

These are:

M ≥ 20 is the Green Zone – bet away as this is the best situation to be in. Play as you choose – loose or tight, you have plenty of time.

20 ≤ M ≤ 10 is the Yellow Zone – you have to start taking more chances here. Crucially, Dan argues small pairs and small suited connector lose value

6 ≤ M ≤ 10 is the Orange Zone – starting to become tight. Dan suggests a focus on making sure you are the first person to put money into the pot.

1 ≤ M ≤ 6 is the Red Zone – similar to what Alex Ferguson, manager of Manchester United, called 'squeaky bum time', your only option is now to push or to fold.

M < 1 is the Dead Zone. You're in Stephen King territory now, you have to push your money into an empty pot and rely on luck to survive.

For the ratio to remain valid in the latter stages of a tournament, you have to remember to factor in the percentage of players still left at the table.

So, for the earlier example, if the player's M-ratio was 5 at a full table, it falls to 2.5 if there are only five players remaining

Is this case, M effective = M x (players/10) or...

5 x 5/10 = 2.5.

Whether or not you really need to call it the M-ratio, a nod to Harrington's 'Zones' may improve your tournament strategy.