Q-ratio

The Q-ratio (also known as Q number or just Q) is used in poker tournament strategy. It is also known as the "weak force." The Q-ratio describes the relation of the player's stack to the tournament players' average stack. A low Q-ratio — less than 1 — indicates a below-average chip stack, implying disadvantage against opponents. It is an addition to the M-ratio ("strong force") and usually doesn't play a large role in tournament decision-making. However, its importance grows as the table average M-ratio drops.

Q-ratio on freezeouts is calculated using the following method.^[1]

${\displaystyle Q={\frac {currentChips}{startingChips}}\times {\frac {currentNumPlayers}{startingNumPlayers}}}$

For example, in a tournament starting with 50 players who have 10,000 chips, of which 30 have been eliminated, and one player has 20,000 chips:

${\displaystyle Q={\frac {20,000}{10,000}}\times {\frac {20}{50}}=0.8}$

This player's accumulation of chips has not kept pace with the elimination of players, and their chip stack is now below average.

On rebuy and add-on tournaments, the calculation method is somewhat more complex and possible to calcutate in a reasonable amount of time only on specific online tournaments:

${\displaystyle Q={\frac {currentChips}{startingChips}}\times {\frac {currentNumPlayers}{startingNumPlayers+numTotalRebuys+numTotalAddOns}}}$

See also

• M-ratio
• Tournament poker

Notes

1. Harrington On Hold 'em: Volume II; The Endgame, p.127