if I play on a table with 6 players, calculator websites like ask you for the number of opponents.
What should I fill in there, the number of opponents initially at the table (5), or the number of active players?
The simple answer could be to put the active players, but I would argue that it's not giving accurate estimations. As soon as the opponents are not either drunk or random bots, the probability is high that only the best hole cards remain out of the 5. Of course, some will be bluffing though, but shouldn't the conservative number of players still be 5?
Another problem is that if someone bets and 4 opponents fold, my probability will mechanically (and dramatically) increase, but in fact 5 opponents have seen and reacted to the play, not 2.
How, and when, should I adjust the number of opponents?
