Calculating the TC

[k4ir0s]

Say the number of decks left is something like 3 1/3 , with everything you have on your mind at the table, i imagine it could be difficult for some to do the calculations.

Is there any other ways of calculating the true count?

[Kasi]

Originally Posted by k4ir0s

Say the number of decks left is something like 3 1/3 , with everything you have on your mind at the table, i imagine it could be difficult for some to do the calculations.

Is there any other ways of calculating the true count?

Just round to the nearest whole deck - so call it 3!

When in doubt, bet the lesser spread and don't make a strategy departure if it's borderline.

[schismist]

Originally Posted by Kasi

Just round to the nearest whole deck - so call it 3!

When in doubt, bet the lesser spread and don't make a strategy departure if it's borderline.

If the strategy departure involves more money like a double, split or insurance then you might play it conservatively, but hit/stand decisions don't matter near the index.

[jack,jackson]

Originally Posted by k4ir0s

Say the number of decks left is something like 3 1/3 , with everything you have on your mind at the table, i imagine it could be difficult for some to do the calculations.

Is there any other ways of calculating the true count?

Some people actully divide by 1/2s for multple decks, including myself. Wether or not this is sufficient or not, i cant say.
Anyway instead of dividing by lets say 3 1/2. I divide by 7 then x2. I actually find this to be an alternative to 1/2s.

[Bojack1]

Originally Posted by k4ir0s

Say the number of decks left is something like 3 1/3 , with everything you have on your mind at the table, i imagine it could be difficult for some to do the calculations.

Is there any other ways of calculating the true count?

In your example all you would have to do is multiply the RC by .3 and you would easily have your TC. Say you had a RC of 16, multiply that by .3 and you get 4.8, thats your TC. There are mathematical shortcuts for just about every deck increment that can give you either exact or close to exact TC. If you take enough time to train yourself to be able to estimate decks to the 1/3 or even more to the 1/4, than figuring math shortcuts to figure the TC is really easy. Many argue that there is no need to be so precise, and its a valid argument, but I feel if you can do it than do it. I find it easier to figure to the 1/4 if only for the fact I know all my decisions are right on with indices and my betting can never be very off. Its a phsycological boost when things are not going your way, but you do not question your abilities because of it. You will also find being accurate with deck estimation will also come in very handy if you choose to apply it to some advanced techniques later on.

[jack,jackson]

I actually used a similiar trick with A02. However i never became proficient at it. I used a secondary fraction count by making the fractions divisble by three. Then multiplying them by ten. Then taking 1/3 the sum of that and adding it to your primary count. For reasons i cant explain the results are same.

  
 

   Primary       Secondary         BC:  .998+
      0             -2.4(-8)
      1              .6  (2)
      1              .6  (2)
      2              .3  (1)
      2              .9  (3)
      2
      1
      0
     -1
     -2

[Stoney]

I use a 1/2 decks as a unit for converting the running to true, so in an 8 deck game the divisor is 16 at the beginning of the shoe, and with the right dealer on a rare occasion 2 or less at the end. There was on time I was dividing by .5!! My running count was 7, my true was 14 and I was using a one level count!!! ALL IN

[SilentBob420BMFJ]

Originally Posted by jack,jackson

Some people actully divide by 1/2s for multple decks, including myself. Wether or not this is sufficient or not, i cant say.
Anyway instead of dividing by lets say 3 1/2. I divide by 7 then x2. I actually find this to be an alternative to 1/2s.

i never understood that.. i know im an idiot and im missing something here, but hear me out.. if the running count is +16, and there are 4 decks left, thats a +4 true count, but if you divide by half decks, the true count is now +8.. there is a HUGE difference between a 4 and 8 true count, so how does that work?

[Kasi]

Originally Posted by SilentBob420BMFJ

ibut if you divide by half decks, the true count is now +8.. there is a HUGE difference between a 4 and 8 true count, so how does that work?

I'd tell u, but I'm on ur ignore list.

OK - I'm actually gonna restrain myself here and not say anything more.

Despite having so much more to say.

[jack,jackson]

Originally Posted by SilentBob420BMFJ

i never understood that.. i know im an idiot and im missing something here, but hear me out.. if the running count is +16, and there are 4 decks left, thats a +4 true count, but if you divide by half decks, the true count is now +8.. there is a HUGE difference between a 4 and 8 true count, so how does that work?

First of all, nobodys an idiot because they dont understand something! Although, modesty is a pure and genuine thing. Its what makes us who we are. Without it you have nothing. I respect your knowledge of the game. But you have to earn respect to get respect. Its okay to correct people, but try to do so in a friendly banter. Were all here to improve our game, share our knowledge, and most importantly,to make some money Sometimes, somethings, are left better unsaid. Even when you know your right! Nobody ever notices when you do something right, but, i assure you they will always notice when you do something wrong. If you ever played in a band youll understand just how important it is to communicate with other members. Its usually not what you say but how you say it. ROK-n-ROL man.

Okay about the TC. First, its just a matter of opinion of how accurate you want your TC to be. Personally, i like to divide by half deck, opposed to full deck. Lets take your example above for instance. +16 divided by 4 =+4. Okay what im doin is takin +16 divided by 8 =+2 then multiplying this by 2. 2X2=+4
Or lets say theres 2 1/2 decks left and we have a RC of -25. Instead, of having to divide -25 by 2 1/2 i find it easier to divide by 5 then multiply by 2. ( -25 divided by 5 = -5X2= -10) Sure, this may be a little more confusing "at first" but "in practice" youll find it easily calcuble.
This is how i look at the discard tray. The second column of #'s is Average ace distribution.

1:22
2:20>5D
3:18
4:16>4D
5:14
6:12>3D
7:10
8:8>2D
9:6
10:4>1D
11:2
12:0