Introduction

• The M-factor and effective M
• The zone system
  
• Why you should never end up in the dead zone
  

Many players know the famous book series Harrington on Hold’em. This article will discuss a concept Harrington presents, which presents an easy system for defining your position in a multi-table tournament (MTT). This system is called the M-factor, Magriel's M, often simply called "M" by many players, and is based on the following formula:

M = stack / (SB + BB + Antes)

This formula indicates how many orbits you could survive without playing a single hand. The formula, as seen above, simply divides your stack size by the amount of chips in the pot before any action takes place. This approach gives you a better impression of where your stack stands in a MTT and uses the small blind and antes in addition than just defining your position in terms of BBs (as you might in SNGs).

Never look at your M as an isolated value, but rather in relationship to the other players' M. Whereas you should play slightly more aggressive with an M of 8 when the other players have an average M of 7, your play will change when the average M is 30 to your M of 8.

Short-handed tournaments (3 to 6 players) require an adjusted M, called the effective M, shown by the following formula:

Effective M = M * (players / 10)

The effective M is better suited when short-handed because the orbits whip around much faster, thus accelerating the rate by which your already dwindling chip stack falls. Theoretically, the M and effective M are the same thing. In full ring MTTs, the Effective M is just null as 10 players/10 = 1 and simply reveals a reflexive calculation.

Harrington defined 5 critical zones and also outlined corresponding strategy depending on your M.

• Green zone: M > = 20
• Yellow zone: 10 < M < 20
• Orange zone: 5 < M < = 10
• Red zone: 1 < = M < = 5
• Dead zone: M < 1

The following paragraphs explain how and why you should play in each zone.