I've memorized Basic strategy and now I'm working on counting cards, using High-Low. A silly question or two: (1) Sitting around a table with 4 or 5 players, when do people start the count? I'm doing as soon as the dealer finishes with the first player and then goes on to the next. (I suppose the alternative would be to start once all the cards are dealt) The danger of waiting until the dealer starts with each player is that the cards might be turned over before one finishes the count.

(2) I've tried whispering "negative" to myself as aid (when I see a high card). Then I decided this took too long and changed to "minus." Now I whisper nothing to myself. Just curious, what do other people do?

(3) At what point in the true count do people start changing their betting strategy: 3? More?

Thank you in advance. This forum is a gem.