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Thread: Counting Method

  1. #1


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    Counting Method

    Hello all,

    I use Hi-Lo for counting and have started fairly recently. I am still practicing to nail it all down before hitting the casino.

    Question is: How do you all recommend actually counting the cards during play? In practice, I have been waiting for all player hands to be dealt (including dealer up card), then quickly glancing at them all and cancelling out pairs and applying a count to the remaining cards. I'm pretty quick at it, but I really haven't tried counting each card as it is dealt.
    Anyone have any input on a good method and why it works well for you?

  2. #2


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    You're on the right track. That's the best way to do it. I would only note that in live casino play, you will have to make adjustments depending on dealer speed, number of players and your seat. For instance, if I'm playing in the middle seat and it's a fast dealer, I will count everything to the right of my hand, including my hand and the dealer's up card. Then as play progresses to my left, I'll naturally glance that way and pick up the rest of the cards.

  3. #3


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    I start counting as the second card starts getting dealt.

  4. #4


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    Quote Originally Posted by ZeeBabar View Post
    I start counting as the second card starts getting dealt.
    Bad move. Are you heads up, or with tableful of ploppy mates. Want to more efficient? Wait till all the cards are dealt, and you should be able to have an instantaneous count at a simple glance of the fable, or us that table.

    What it seems like you're doing now, us following the cards as they are dealt, with the corresponding head movement that goes with that. If I was the critter, I would say - oh, there is Zee, the counter. You should change zee way of doing things.

  5. #5


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    Quote Originally Posted by Freightman View Post
    Bad move. Are you heads up, or with tableful of ploppy mates. Want to more efficient? Wait till all the cards are dealt, and you should be able to have an instantaneous count at a simple glance of the fable, or us that table.

    What it seems like you're doing now, us following the cards as they are dealt, with the corresponding head movement that goes with that. If I was the critter, I would say - oh, there is Zee, the counter. You should change zee way of doing things.
    Zee
    Just to clarify a little further, ups should be Counting cards in bunches, at least, pairs. The process is quicker, especially Counting in 2's allows you to cancel out cards much quicker.

  6. #6


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    Quote Originally Posted by Freightman View Post
    Zee
    Just to clarify a little further, ups should be Counting cards in bunches, at least, pairs. The process is quicker, especially Counting in 2's allows you to cancel out cards much quicker.
    Freightman, in my usual seat at first or 3rd base, I don't have to swivel my head to count cards as they are dealt. I do the cancellation method anyway. Say, first round, cards are dealt as A, 6, 8, 10 and 2 for dealer. And then the second hand drops on the A, say a 2, they cancel out and it's zero, a 10 on the 6 and it's still Zero, a 9 on the 8 and it's still a Zero, a 10 on the 10 and its Minus 2 and the dealer has a 2 up so after the deal and before the hit/stand starts the count is Minus 1. Then you count the "hits" whenever they are flipped up.

    it works for me. In pitch games with cards in hands, I count mine and the dealers up card and then the "hits", any busts and dealers hole card and any dealer hits and then players cards as they are flipped.

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    Face up and face down games count differently.

    Face up: Count the dealer's upcard when it is dealt, then count by twos as the players get their second card. Count the hit cards, the dealer's hole card, then the dealer's hit card.

    Face down: Count the dealer's upcard, your two cards, each player's hit card, your hit cards, the dealer's hole card and hit cards, and each player's hole cards by twos.

    Assumes sitting at 3rd base.

  8. #8


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    Make a conscious effort to remember each rounds initial count and count both ways to double check

  9. #9


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    Quote Originally Posted by Meistro123 View Post
    Make a conscious effort to remember each rounds initial count and count both ways to double check
    Yes - not only remember each round's initial count but visualize the count. See the number in your mind's eye...

  10. #10
    Random number herder Norm's Avatar
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    I think people generally use the mind's ear. The only problem being that you may blurt out the count when in conversation.
    "I don't think outside the box; I think of what I can do with the box." - Henri Matisse

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