Dan Harrington introduced the Tournament M Value to poker players in his book Harrington On Holdem Volume 2 End Game. The tournament M value is a math equation you perform to determine how you should currently be playing at the poker table based on your current chip stack. Different size stacks represent different actions that need to be taken to win the tournament.

The equation is as follows: Your current chip stack divided by ((the big blind plus the small blind) plus (the antes times the current number of players)). If the antes are zero, well, the number of players no longer matters. For instance, lets say you have 4000 chips, the blinds are 200, 400, antes are zero, and you have 5 players. The equation would look like this 4000/(400+200) = 6.67. Now based on that number you came up with from the equation, you know what you should be doing in terms of your hand selection.

The breakdown for your M value goes something like this:

Green Zone – 20 or More – Basically keep doing what you’ve been doing as it’s been working. You’re in control of the table and possibly the tournament.

Yellow Zone – 10 to 20 – Well, you’re starting to lose some chips here so whatever you were doing, well slow down. If you”ve been chasing draws, stop it. If you’ve been raising and playing a ton of pots, and then allowing others to take control of the hand, stop it. You want to get back into the green zone. You want to start winning chips, so take managed risks here. If you’re going to chase a draw, you want to control the hand. Passive play will not work in the yellow zone. You don’t want your opponents to know you’re drawing. You have to play as though you’re holding a strong pair. If you don’t feel comfortable playing the hand like that, well fold.

Orange Zone – 6 to 10 – You’re starting to bleed chips left and right and the blinds are going to eat you alive. Time to make a move. You want to be first into the hand if you raise. It’s no good calling away your chips here, if you get in first you put your opponents up to a decision. Your main intention here is to double up.

Red Zone – 1 to 5 – Try to move in first with any ace at this point. Understand that you will be called. Your only hope of getting back into the tournament is to double or triple up. That’s what you want.

Dead Zone – Less than 1 – If you’re here, well you had to have suffered a terrible beat, otherwise you wouldn’t be here. You’re doomed. Gotta quad up to even move up a little bit.

Why do you want to be first into the pot in all situations when low on chips? Opponents have to decide whether or not they want to try and double you up. They’re risking the chips and put the decision, not the other way around.

Anyway, for more info on your M value make sure you check out Harrington On Holdem Volume 2 End Game.