"Gifted Mind"

[hitthat16]

This is a quick reflection on the beginning of the movie "21". Ben Sturgis' character is roughly quoted as saying "It takes a gifted mind. I have a gifted mind."

Most APs discount this quote saying that anyone can count cards, that we can teach a monkey how to do it. I'm here to say I actually agree with this movie quote. Sure, learning to count is easy, but making money at it is what separates gifted from non-gifted minds.

Most beginning APs bust out and quit. It takes a gifted mind to have the discipline to build a bankroll, scout a casino and not play a single hand, and have the stomach to lose hand after hand after hand. It takes a gifted mind to study and memorize multiple basic strategy charts and lots of meticulous index plays. It takes a gifted mind to accurately estimate how many cards are in a stack, divide by fractions in their head, and put out the right amount of money in the circle with zero emotion to it.

You get the idea. I say congratulations to the good people on this forum with gifted minds. Now let's go out there and play some cards.

[Jabberwocky]

I don't unnerstand the point of your post. But I suppose it doesn't matter either way.

[Norm]

It doesn't take a gifted mind to learn to count. But, thriving over time is quite another matter, and not related to a grasp of mathematics. And, a degenerate gambler hasn't a chance.

[davethebuilder]

It doesn't take a gifted mind to learn to count. But, thriving over time is quite another matter, and not related to a grasp of mathematics.

Tom Hyland is a good example of this. Not only surviving over time as a counter/AP but successfully managing several teams as well.

[hitthat16]

I don't unnerstand the point of your post. But I suppose it doesn't matter either way.

No point. Just thought to share.

[hitthat16]

It doesn't take a gifted mind to learn to count. But, thriving over time is quite another matter, and not related to a grasp of mathematics. And, a degenerate gambler hasn't a chance.

I guess I just feel that it takes a "gifted mind" to have the discipline to thrive over time. Sure, arithmetic can be thought, but using it in real time at a real table is another story.

[Freightman]

I had heard about counting, though never practiced the art. My exposure to casinos was very very minimal. At a point In time, my father, who did enjoy the casino, was no longer able to drive. I started to take him. My good deeds were initially punished by my low red chip losses. Annoyed that my good deeds were costing me money, I decided to research counting.

I was doubly rewarded. Not only did I develop money making skills in the casino, I got to see a side of my dad that no one, outside if my mom saw. I very much enjoyed my time with him in our casino excursions - for lots of reasons.

[fjrider]

I don't know about gifted, but able to handle a lot of complexity that is continuously changing is definitely required.
Just keeping a hi/lo count doesn't cover it.
Keeping multiple counts, keeping the addition right on your, and dealer, hand to spot dealer errors, tracking # of decks left and the associated calculations, changing bet levels, changing indices, dealer and players yakking, drink servers interrupting, etc.
The more you can hold in your mind, while it is all changing, the better you'll do. If your mind is actually gifted in that way, running big, complex, changing models, AND you have the emotional make up to survive in a casino, then you'll be a legend.
If you are doing a standard count, maybe counting aces as well, and you have to depend on the dealer to add hands, you should go back to the practice room, or give it up.

[Bigdaddy]

I think "gifted" is an overstatement. But it does take some smarts and it definitely takes a commitment to practice and play, practice and play, practice and play...

[Wino]

Understanding the concepts that relate to statistical theory is important. Thereby hopefully leading one to never again officially gamble or play negative EV unless there is a very good reason to. Counting is similar to investing in the stock market for the long-term.

[stopgambling]

Ever seen someone shoot a 3 pointer blind ? It is from practice !

[stopgambling]

Try to connect 9 dots with 3 straight lines with out lifting the pen . only a few percent of people in the world can do it. If you did it honestly and relatively quick then you have a gifted mind IMO.

[Freightman]

Whew! Thank you for the compliment. And I thought I was nuts.

This guy went to see his psychiatrist. He was naked, except for the fact that he was wearing Saran Wrap around his waist.

Psychiatrist says - always thought you were crazy, now I can see your nuts.