how long did it take you to "count"

[BigJer]

The time it takes varies enormously by individual. BTW, it really is not directly related to intelligence. It has more to do with discipline, and the particular makeup of your mind. Brains work differently.

BTW I so agree with that. I have an IQ in the stratosphere but for CC I had to work like crazy.

[Freightman]

BTW I so agree with that. I have an IQ in the stratosphere but for CC I had to work like crazy.

IQ comprises scores based on different criteria. Rote, math, reasoning, I think would be the most important. Desire, or lack of it. would be the wild card. If you have the mAterial at your disposal, in relative terms, the rest would be a cakewalk.

[Freightman]

BTW I so agree with that. I have an IQ in the stratosphere but for CC I had to work like crazy.

IQ comprises scores based on different criteria. Rote, math, reasoning, I think would be the most important. Desire, or lack of it. would be the wild card. If you have the mAterial at your disposal, in relative terms, the rest would be a cakewalk.

[BigJer]

IQ comprises scores based on different criteria. Rote, math, reasoning, I think would be the most important. Desire, or lack of it. would be the wild card. If you have the mAterial at your disposal, in relative terms, the rest would be a cakewalk.

I know. I get all that stuff.

[Three]

From what I've learned so far, the most successful APs are those that are ridiculously good at this primary skill; i.e., so that they can just glance at a full table of cards for a second (maybe two seconds) and have the count. That's my goal. You can then shift your focus to camo and cover etc.

I agree. This skill is of utmost importance. My brain takes a snapshot of the table literally at a glance and I count the table from memory in a second. It makes it look like I am paying the least attention than anyone at the table.

[Three]

I can't even remember learning to count. I came up with something on my own which I discovered years later was Hiopt1/ASC. It is a really easy count to master. Games were so easy to beat back then I am sure my boat was full of holes but still very profitable. There wasn't much reading material then. I may have glanced at something. If I did the same thing today I would have been eaten alive but I had no trouble making money playing this way. Today I call it learning just enough to be your own worst enemy.

[MJGolf]

What's funny Moses, is (though I don't play much anymore), I could memorize the cards played in Bridge for an entire deck (as to suits and order) but can't relate it to how I can use that in single deck BJ play..........LOL I think SPEED is the crucial element. But it would be nice if there was someway I could program my brain to use that other than Hi-Lo in a single deck game........

Ala Derren Brown perhaps? --- https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=MmzwYo_7JMw

[Freightman]

What's funny Moses, is (though I don't play much anymore), I could memorize the cards played in Bridge for an entire deck (as to suits and order) ]

So could I and I could remember interesting hands for years.

Reminds me of my rubber bridge days - nothing more satisfying than a grand slam transfer squeeze - to bad no more money bridge in my area. Haven't played in probably 20 years - would take a month or two to get rid of the ring rust - would be fun.

[ZenMaster_Flash]

MJGolf,

Memorizing the cards will not help you unless you understand
the E.O.R. for each rank / in each player - dealer matchup.

Fortunately, there is a much easier and better way.

You can use Hi-Opt I (or best, The Gordon Count)
which side-counts all the ranks that are uncounted.

There are index adjustments to be applied to the T.C.
for Surplus / Deficits, e.g. you have been dealt a 12
(the commonest hand) and the dealer tosses up a 2.

The ordinary Index for this hand is some small positive
number such as +2 or +3; but that is an average figure
that's just a measure of High Card Density. It is extremely
often plainly incorrect. Playing one of these counts you'd
know how many surplus OR deficit 7's, 8's, and 9's there
are in the cards to be played. Your standard True Count
could be positive or negative - but these "Key Cards" are
the only data that can provide the "best" play of the hand.