Single deck conversion factors

[FrankieT]

My old way of figuring out conversion factors was screwed up, here is the real way to do it, subtract the number of cards seen from the total number of cards (if 10 cards have been seen in a two card deck subtract 10 from 104 to get 94). Than divide that number by 52 (94/52 = 1.8 approx). Then take the reciprocal of that number, in other words divide 1 by it (1/1.8 =.55 , I would round this down) This is real easy using a calculator with a reciprocal button on it.



Using this method I figured out that if your playing a single deck game, here are the conversion factors for the number of cards seen, most of them rounded down.

0 cards seen=1
6 cards seen=1.1
12 cards seen=1.3
16 cards seen=1.4
20 cards seen=1.6
23 cards seen=1.8 (1.793 rounded up)
26 cards seen=2
28 cards seen=2.1
30 cards seen=2.3
32 cards seen=2.6
34 cards seen=2.9 (2.888 rounded up)
36 cards seen=3.2
37 cards seen=3.4
38 cards seen=3.7
39 cards seen=4


As you can see during the first 16 cards the conversion factor only increases from 1 to 1.4, starting with 1. The second 16 cards there is a massive increase from 1.4 to 2.6, so keeping tabs on number of cards seen and figuring out the conversion factor accordingly (especially in the later rounds) could help you out immensely, if your sitting in one of the last seats in a 7 person game, your conversion factor could range from 1.4 to 3+ in the second round based upon number of cards seen. If you have a single deck game that has enough deck penetration to get you to 3 rounds in 4 or 5 person play (occasionally can get this far with really good dealers) the range could be 1.6 to 4+!!!!

Obviously it takes extra effort to calculate conversion factors based upon the number of cards seen but if you play a lot of single deck blackjack, sit in the last seat (or next to last), want to make super informed play and betting decisions, especially in the final round(s), this chart will help you out.

 

[FrankieT]

oh yeah, for those of you who don't know, the conversion factor is the number you multiply the running count by to get the true count

 

[FrankieT]

Does anybody at all find this information useful or is does it just seem too hard to count "cards seen" to figure out the conversion factor in single deck. it's not hard for me because I used to use HI opt II and got good at counting aces on the side, I switched to zen count and figured I might use that extra brain power counting the number of cards seen.

The best way to count "cards seen", first off, is to recognize how many people are playing so you know at the end of each round that a certain number of cards will ALWAYS be seen (i.e. 7 people playing, the bear minimum of 16 cards will ALWAYS be seen by the end of each round when the cards are flipped over, 6 players=14 cards, 5 players=12 cards) and count each extra card in addition to the standard number of cards you know will be seen (I usually my fingers to count every 2 cards seen in addition to the standard number of cards that always be seen). Memorize the conversion factors in the chart for certain number of "cards seen". Don't remember the individual conversion for every single card seen, I suggest memorizing mile stones (conversion factors of 1.3, 1.6, 1.9, 2.2) etc.

I used to use Blackwoods chart so I would use a given conversion factor for each round no matter how many cards have been seen (i.e. 7 player games always meant a conversion factor of 1 for the entire first round, 1.5 for the entire second round). But realized that there is a ton of fluctuation in this (your conversion factor for second round could be anything from 1.4 to 3+based upon the number of cards seen!!!) so counting cards seen is not a bad idea. There are so few cards in a single card deck as opposed to a double deck or greater, so it is not too insane to do this I believe