OldCootFromVA: Avg # of cards

[OldCootFromVA]

It's pretty common knowledge that the average hand has ~2.75 cards.

What I need to know is the effect of splits on this. Are the extra cards in a split included in the average for the original hand; or are there going to be an average of ~2.75 cards for each of the new hands after the split?

[Don Schlesinger]

> It's pretty common knowledge that the average hand has
> ~2.75 cards.

2.7.

> What I need to know is the effect of splits on this.

Already included in the number.

> Are the extra cards in a split included in the average
> for the original hand;

Yes.

>or are there going to be an average of ~2.75 cards for each of the new hands after the split?

No.

Don

[OldCootFromVA]

Thanks for the quick response.

P.S. I DID put the little "~" in front of the "2.75." :^)

[Garry Baldy]

> 2.7.

> Already included in the number.

> Yes.

> No.

> Don

Speaking formally, average number of cards in the player's hand depends on few parameters. If we fix playing system, the most affecting parameter is rules of the game (especially surrender).

For example, under ENHC and Early Surrender rules average number of card lowers because there will be only 2 cards in hand each time we surrender. And this happens quite frequently giving full ESA.

Late surrender have similar but smaller effect. And some effect also have number of resplits allowed and DAS.

The same is about average number of card in the dealer's hand. Amount of players, surrender and H17 are the most affecting parameters.

Anyway, the number 2.7 is very close approximation for any reasonable set of conditions. In theory it's possible to calculate this number more accurately under miryad of assumptions but I see no reason to perform such calculations.

Luck.

Garry Baldy.

[Garry Baldy]

Late offtopic thought.

The average # of cards can have some obscure effect if somebody (anyone?) is using counting system like Qwik Count (aka Instant Count) introduced by Jake Smallwood in 1988, or the system promoted by Frank Scoblete called Speed Count (actually author is Dan Pronovost). Both systems have had the same idea but I don't want at public to point the finger at the great king scobe for stealing )))

Smallwood, as I recall, dropped the idea but Scoblete is still insisting.

Anyway, ANYWAY, it doesn't matter. Listen to Don. But I would like to see what Scoblete would say to this)))

Luck.

Garry Baldy.