orbit-cost Is it the same as M-Ratio?

FAQ answer: orbit-cost M = chips ÷ cost per hand; this tool explicitly calculates total cost per orbit and remaining orbits.

Does dead blind count?

This tool does not include dead blind; must be added manually on-site.

How to fill in 6-max?

Fill in 6 for the number of players; the formula automatically scales according to the number of players.

Is it useful in cash games?

In cash games without antes, the cost per orbit ≈ number of hands × blind. Little reference value.

Fill in 2 for number of players; HU blind structure differs, only a rough estimate.

Calculator

Tournament orbit cost: small blind + big blind + antes × number of players, estimate how many orbits you can survive and M value. Includes short-stack strategy and FAQ.

Calculator

What is Calculator

Orbit cost = SB + BB + Number of players at table × Ante × Number of players at table each person pays blinds in turn. It determines how many orbits your chips can last, and is directly related to M-Ratio. The higher the antes, the greater the pressure on short stacks.

Deep dive

Core Formula Orbit cost ≈ antes + small blind + big blind in BB. In MTTs, passive blind loss compresses the M value, forcing wider steals or earlier push-fold. In high-ante structures, the orbit cost's share of the stack increases, and when ICM is layered in, the opportunity cost of "not playing" becomes more significant. Use the calculator on this page to instantly compute the breakeven win rate, then cross-reference the numbers with opponent ranges, position, and turn/river plans – avoid just memorizing formulas without being able to apply them at the table. Common Misconceptions Ignoring antes in deep stacks leads to inflated M values; only counting blinds and not antes. Not updating the orbit cost before the money bubble. Misapplying orbit-cost in cash games. Also, don't treat Solver frequencies as an inviolable rule that eliminates the need to verify pot odds; when information is incomplete, ICM and SPR remain the first principles of tournament poker. Learning Suggestions At the start, note "X bb per orbit"; synchronize with m-ratio and break-even-steal. Recalculate steal frequency when antes double. In reviews, ask "How many BB did I lose just from the blinds?" – that drives the rationality of widening. Each week, pick five real hand histories, recalculate them with the same tool, and revisit the glossary to review concepts like pot odds, ICM, SPR, etc., which will auto-link. Cross-referencing with push-fold and MDF helps build a complete preflop and postflop math framework faster.

Worked examples

8 players 100/200/25

Scenario：Chips 25,000, 8-handed table ante 25.

Context: Tool example step: orbit-cost

Cost per hand = 100 + 200 + 25 × 8 = 500 2. Per orbit ≈ 500×8 = 4,000 3. Blinds break after about 6.25 orbits

Conclusion：Already in orange/red zone, need to actively steal blinds or push.

early deep stack

Scenario：

Per orbit cost about 9×(500+1000+900)=21,600
About 3.7 orbits of pure blinds
Actually can last longer due to paying fewer blinds.

Conclusion：In the early stages, you can still play according to strategy, without having to push/fold immediately.

Table change comparison

Scenario：Table A has high ante, Table B has low ante.

Calculate the cost of each orbit separately.
Context: Tool example step: orbit-cost

Choose tables with low cost to extend survival. 3. Tool example step: orbit-cost

Or choose a higher-cost table to grab a bigger pot.

Conclusion：Changing tables is one of the MTT techniques; cost affects steal frequency.

When to use

Tool when-to-use: orbit-cost antes tournament assessment survival time
Compare the blind structures of two tables
Tool when-to-use: orbit-cost MTT Mid-Stage Steal Blind Frequency
Tool when-to-use: orbit-cost Explain "how many chips lost per orbit"
Tool when-to-use: orbit-cost Cross-validate with M-Ratio calculator

FAQ

: FAQ answer: orbit-cost M = chips ÷ cost per hand; this tool explicitly calculates total cost per orbit and remaining orbits.

Glossary

What is M-Ratio in Poker?

M-ratio is a tournament metric dividing your stack by total blinds and antes. It measures how many orbits you can survi…

Glossary

Ante

Ante Ante is a mandatory bet that all players must contribute to the pot before each hand begins in Texas Hold'em. It i…

Calculator

Calculator

What is Calculator

Deep dive

Worked examples

8 players 100/200/25

early deep stack

Table change comparison

When to use

FAQ

FAQ

Related

What is M-Ratio in Poker?

Ante

What is Calculator

Deep dive

Worked examples

8 players 100/200/25

early deep stack

Table change comparison

How to play during the bubble?

Final Table Strategy: Position, Chips, and Negotiation Skills

Satellite Tournament Qualification Strategy: A Practical Guide from the Margins to the Ticket

Big Blind Defense Strategy: Responding to Steals from Different Positions

Triton Series: From Beginner to Master — Comprehensive Analysis of High-Stakes Tournament Strategy

Balancing Chip Value and Survival Value Under ICM Pressure at the Final Table

Related

What is M-Ratio in Poker?

Ante

Calculator

What is Calculator

Deep dive

Worked examples

8 players 100/200/25

early deep stack

Table change comparison

When to use

FAQ

FAQ

Related terms

Ante

M-Ratio

Bet

Final Table

Bankroll Management

Icm

Related articles

Related

What is M-Ratio in Poker?

Ante

What is Calculator

Deep dive

Worked examples

8 players 100/200/25

early deep stack

Table change comparison

Related articles

How to play during the bubble?

Final Table Strategy: Position, Chips, and Negotiation Skills

Satellite Tournament Qualification Strategy: A Practical Guide from the Margins to the Ticket

Big Blind Defense Strategy: Responding to Steals from Different Positions

Triton Series: From Beginner to Master — Comprehensive Analysis of High-Stakes Tournament Strategy

Balancing Chip Value and Survival Value Under ICM Pressure at the Final Table

Related terms

Ante

M-Ratio

Bet

Final Table

Bankroll Management

Icm

Related

What is M-Ratio in Poker?

Ante