Tricks to calculate true count in Double deck game?

Whats the best or easiest way to caclulate the tc in a 2 deck game? Say 1 3/4 remain, 1 1/2 remain, 1 1/4 remain, or 3/4 remain.
I was thinking today when 1.5 remain to split the rc in half then add half of that number so if rc is 14 split to 7 then add 3.5 so tc is 10 is this the best way to do it when 1.5 decks remain? Any other ideas or tricks greatly appriciated?
Thanks.

Having automatic TC conversions is an excellent idea. Here's a breakdown of conversion factors for various numbers of decks remaining. For each, a relatively easy method of approximation is given, followed by the precise multiplication factor in parentheses:

2 decks: divide RC by 2 (1/2).

1 3/4 decks: divide RC by 2 (4/7).

1 1/2 decks: divide RC by 3 then double result (2/3).

1 1/4 decks: subtract 1 from RC for positive counts, use TC = RC for 0 and negative counts (4/5).

1 decks: TC = RC (1).

3/4 deck: divide RC by 3 then multiply result by 4 (4/3).

1/2 deck: double RC (2).

1/4 deck: multiply RC by 4 (4...and count your blessings for being in a game with such good penetration).

I hope that helps.

Example: Running count is 3 with 1.5 decks left. Multiply 3x7=21 then point off. True count 2.1 Notice how the decimals increase as you go deeper into deck.

0.5000 .5 2 decks left
0.5714 .6 1.75 decks left
0.6667 .7 1.50 decks left
0.8000 .8 1.25 decks left
1.0000 1 1 decks left
1.3333 1.3 .75 decks left
2.0000 2 .50 decks left
3.0003 3 .33 decks left

Another possible solution is a lot of practice. I've found that for SD/DD games, after enough practice the T/C conversion becomes an almost subconscious action. As a computer scientist, I suppose my "mental computer" is doing something like keeping up with a two-dimensional array, the row index is the running count, the column index is the remaining decks, and the element[row][col] is the true count. There are not that many running counts you will see in SD/DD (they can get very large positive or negative values in shoes of course).

Spend a little time with CV blackjack, and before you know it the TC is just something you seem to "know". In fact, if I try to think about how I do this, it seems that for a given decks left value, I just somehow mentally convert any running count to the right value without any real thinking.

So, bottom line, practice and for SD/DD you can get to near-automatic... If you beat on CVBJ enough, before you know it you will be pushing out the right bet without even thinking about the T/C. Ditto for playing indices.

KISS...No insult intended. We memorize basic strategy charts, and indice play charts. RC to TC does not have to be any more difficult. If interested, send me an e-mail and I will give you my DD conversion chart.

Frenchman

Sometimes, when you hear a clever idea, it may be possible to forget you didn't think it up and start to consider it your own creation. I'm sure I didn't invent this; I'm just not that smart. But I don't recall where I got it.

When you are wondering whether a departure is called for, what do you need to know? Well, if you memorize departure tables that standardize to the full-deck (as opposed to the half-deck or some other basis) and your decision numbers are rounded (as opposed to floored or formed on some other basis) then, if you divide the Running Count by the Departure Index, this ratio (RC � DI) represents the point of indifference, that is, the number of cards remaining expressed in full decks where it mathematically matters not whether you depart or not. If fewer cards remain, depart. If more remain, don't. Note that this works the same regardless of the number of decks in play.

Example: if in your double deck game the RC is 7 and the DI is 5: depart if there are fewer than 7/5 or 1.4 decks remaining.

Yes, mental division and deck estimation are still required, but I find it simpler as my divisor is always an integer. (Well, usually: I sometimes incline to absurd, unobtainable perfectionism when a decision number hovers around zero or there is a large difference in composition-dependant indices. But that's my problem.) And only a notion of True Count is required for bet sizing.

Further, (this is Wong's advise of many years ago) if you are at that point of indifference and the count is positive, stand and maybe prolong that good situation. If you are at the point of indifference and the count is negative, draw and maybe shorten that bad situation.