M versus Big Blind strategy

[masman21]

Harrington discusses M as what it would cost to play one round, antes plus SB plus BB. However, I hear a lot of pros on TV or other books talk about how many big blinds you have. During earlier stages where there are not antes the difference between M and BB is not that big, but once antes are introduced the difference is more apparent. Is one approach better than the other? Is M a "better" measuring stick?

[Triantafylidis]

M is usually used after the introduction of antes where BBs are used when the ante=0

Just a technicallity, they work the same way

[PantsOnFire]

I don't think it matters how you look at it. With no antes, your M is basically your BBs/1.5 (e.g. 15BB, no antes, M is 10). Antes usually on average add an extra BB in the pot so your M left now is M/2.5 ((e.g. 25BB, antes, M is 10).

Personally, I use my stack divided by the starting pot most of the time. However, when I get down to say 12BB, I start to think a 3-4xBB raise will not leave me many chips left. Look at what a call of that raise, my stack and the pot size will bring. Usually, you would need to go all the way anyways. I will usually go all-in unless I choose to use the stop and go (that is, I was committed anyways). And actually, this sort of stack size kinda illustrates that a stop and go might not always be the best play, but that's fodder for another post.