The Si Stebbins stack is built on a simple, consistent cycle, meaning the distance between any two cards in the deck can be found with basic arithmetic. This method breaks the calculation into three simple steps that are easy to perform in your head.
The goal is to find the Final Position from the Top (1-52) for the Target Card, assuming the Bottom Card is at position 52.
(Note: I have a Si Stebbins Trainer page to help you practice this method. It is at http://robertjwallace.com/stebbins)
Step 1: Calculate the Suit Offset (Multiplier 13)
The Suit Offset accounts for the distance between the two suits, multiplied by 13 (the number of card values in a suit).
- Assign Suit Indices: Use the standard CHaSeD order:
- Clubs = 1, Hearts = 2, Spades = 3, Diamonds = 4
- Calculate: Subtract the Bottom Card’s Suit Index from the Target Card’s Suit Index, then multiply the difference by 13.
{Suit Offset = 13 x (Target Suit – Bottom Suit)
The total result for this term will be one of these seven easy-to-memorize numbers:
| Suit Difference | Suit Offset |
| +/- 3 | +/- 39 |
| +/- 2 | +/- 26 |
| +/- 1 | +/- 13 |
| 0 | 0 |
Step 2: Calculate the Value Offset (Multiplier -4)
The Value Offset accounts for the distance between the two card values, multiplied by -4 (the inverse of the number of suits).
- Assign Value Indices: Use standard values (Ace = 1 through King = 13).
- Calculate: Subtract the Bottom Card’s Value from the Target Card’s Value, then multiply the difference by -4.
Value Offset = -4 x Target Value – Bottom Value)
💡 Mental Tip: The Multiples of 4
Since you are multiplying the value difference by -4, the Value Offset must always be a multiple of 4. To simplify the mental math, simply find the value difference, then find the corresponding offset on this table:
| Value Difference (Positive) | Value Offset (-4 x Diff) |
| 1 | +/- 4 |
| 2 | +/- 8 |
| 3 | +/- 12 |
| 4 | +/- 16 |
| 5 | +/- 20 |
| 6 | +/- 24 |
| 7 | +/- 28 |
| 8 | +/- 32 |
| 9 | +/- 36 |
| 10 | +/- 40 |
| 11 | +/- 44 |
| 12 | +/- 48 |
Step 3: Sum and Use the “Clock of 52”
Combine your two offset results to get the Final Sum. Then, use the simple “Clock of 52” analogy to find the true position (a number between 1 and 52).
Final Sum = Suit Offset +Value Offset
Imagine the deck is a closed circle, like a 52-position clock.
| If your Final Sum is… | Action (The Clock of 52) |
| Greater than 52 | Subtract 52 (You completed one full cycle). |
| Negative | Add 52 (You are counting backward, so adding 52 brings you forward to the correct position). |
🧭 Example: The Large Negative Sum
Suppose your two offset terms sum up to -58.
- Start: -58
- Add 52 (First Cycle): -58 + 52 = -6
- Add 52 (Second Cycle): -6 + 52 = 46
El Final Position from the Top is 46.