Sensory Substitution

[Preferrd]

This is sort of fantastical and perhaps slightly stupid, but I was just reading about sensory substitution which can sort of augment the senses. For example: getting a tactile video feed. I know using computers or recording devices are certainly not legal in casinos. But wouldn't it be cool if the computer could somehow teach its processes to your unconcious mind while you practice! Maybe you could come to the point of walking into a casino and playing a game of blackjack with rainman lurking in the back of your mind without you conscious of it! They've already got blind rock-climbers and soldiers with 360 degree night vision that they sense through their tongues.

[Norm]

When you disconnect the device, it's gone. You can't learn to do what it does any more than you can learn to pick up TV signals by watching a TV or learn to see in pitch black by practicing with night vision binoculars.

[RS]

One thing you can do, although certainly not on the level of what you're talking about...but is learning how to process info quicker. You can break down large numbers into their most simple elements (like a computer does with 1's and 0's, rather, "truths" or "falses").

[stopgambling]

For me it's +1 ,-1 .min . bet. med. bet, half max bet, and max bet. strike and retreat, wong in wong out.Caveman logic.

[Preferrd]

One thing you can do, although certainly not on the level of what you're talking about...but is learning how to process info quicker. You can break down large numbers into their most simple elements (like a computer does with 1's and 0's, rather, "truths" or "falses").

What do you mean by that?

[RS]

If you learn proper techniques, you can do crazy math calculations in your head by simply breaking it down to a more simple form. As an example, say you wanted to multiply 17 times 18. Most would visualize it in their head, and do this:

_ _ 1 7
_ x 1 8
---------
_ 1 3 6
+ 1 7 0
---------
_ 3 0 6


A much easier way is to multiply 18*(17+3) = 18*20 = 360, then subtract 54 (3*18) to get 306. This type of math won't (or shouldn't be?) applicable to blackjack, but the same concept is there. Break it down to small, easy to figure out, numbers or calculations.

Something else I'm sure you've heard of on the forum, in books, or wherever, is learning memory techniques. Instead of visualizing numbers in your head, you can visualize...spacial matter(?), or have your mind focused on a specific area. For example, maybe you're side-counting aces. Instead of remembering your secondary (ace) count, you can visualize blocks in front of you. Say you're sitting directly in front of the dealer. Block #1 might be where the third-base-man player is sitting (or where he would be sitting). Block #2 might be directly behind him to his right, so directly left of you. Block #3 might be right above block #2 (ie: to your left and up). Block #4 would be right above the third-base-man (ie: above block #1). Blocks 5-8 could be on the opposite side (ie: block 5 is where first base man is sitting, block 8 is above block 5). And boom, with a bit of mental practice and exercise, you're side counting aces without remembering another number in your head to confuse you. Or, you can use your fingers (without actually USING your fingers!). Instead of focusing your mind on a certain "block" in front of you...you can imagine a ring being on one of your fingers. Whenever another ace comes out, the ring moves to the next finger. Not including thumbs, that's a total of 8 fingers...or one cycle through all your fingers for every 2 decks played.