Accurate counting

[kcgrade095]

Hey everyone, haven't been on here in a while. Took a break from practicing my counting, but now I'm back. Was just wondering how some of you count. Do you count as the cards come out or do you wait to pair them up? If you pair them up do you, for example, count two fives as +2 or do you count them individually? Hope this makes sense.

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[DSchles]

You wait for them to come out, and you count pairs. If you state that you're counting pairs, then you're counting pairs! Two fives are +2. Eventually, you can count the whole table at once and cancel out pairs without counting them at all. If first base has two fives and third base has two tens, then you just forget about all four of them.

Don

[Bricklayer]

I don’t count bc I moved onto “ploppy” plays. Lol. But in your head, when you do this. You’re suppose to say ‘N’ 1 for negative counts. Etc etc It makes things faster because less syllables in your head. Positive numbers are just normally stated in your imagination

The pros might have more/better tips

BL

[UNCBear4SJ]

I think my technique is similar to what Don suggests. However, I count as hands are complete -- as other players wave off or bust, I group and make a total hand count. The exception is if the dealer shows an ace -- as insurance is being offered, I do a table count. If there is no blackjack, I then continue counting as individual cards are played during that round so I don't need to "back out" the current table count. This requires a rather rapid count if the hole card turns out to be an ace. ;-) But as Don suggests, I do as many "cancels" as I can -- the count index I use is two level, so I look for balancing cards in a hand that are equal in absolute terms but opposite sides of zero.

[Jack Jackson]

Also note, that the fewer the number of players at the table the easier it will be to count the cards, but you will have to be quicker with your calculations. Likewise, the more players at the table the harder it will be to count the cards, but in return the calculations will be easier.

I think i speak for most counters here that its most natural to keep the negative numbers to your left and the positive numbers to your right when keeping your running count in your mind. Others may be different, i dont know.

[aceside]

I think i speak for most counters here that its most natural to keep the negative numbers to your left and the positive numbers to your right when keeping your running count in your mind. Others may be different, i dont know.

what do you mean by left or right? Do you mean Left side of your brain or right side of your brain? It’s very easy to forget the counts without using any physical ways of marking.

[tunicadave]

I find it difficult to deal with the negative/positive counting. What I do is, I use a number for zero. Mine is 30, I know anything below 30 is negative. 25 is minus 5. Anything in the 30s, I just use the number 35 is 5. If it gets to 40, the right toe goes down and I continue to use single digits. Really very simple.

[Jack Jackson]

what do you mean by left or right? Do you mean Left side of your brain or right side of your brain? It’s very easy to forget the counts without using any physical ways of marking.

I think its most natural to "lets say" visualize your numbers in this or at least this type of similiar manner.

For example:

-9-8-7-6-5-4-3-2-1 0 +1 +2 +3 +4 +5 +6 +7 +8 +9

Now depending on if the count is negative or positive it will be different on how i see the numbers in my mind(or should i say where). The Negatives will always be slighlty to the left while the positive numbers will always be slightly to the right.

For instance:
-14/+7

Of course you'll only have one running count but thats how i kinda visualize it. And if your Side Counting Aces That'll be moved to the far right of my mind. In this case 3 Aces have been played. -14_3 or _+7/3

[JBourne]

Yes, you can remember the number by “hearing yourself” repeat it but it’s even more effective to “see it”. I see a continuous horizontal number line just like he typed. It’s how I learned some things in school so I already had a strong visual framework. I just visualize moving left or right on the ladder. Counting negatives feels natural that way.

On the initial deal I don’t start counting until the second card hits a hand, so that is counting pairs. To go as fast as possible you need to visually recognize the value for every two card combination so you can. Many card pairs add to zero but you want to instantly “see that” as the pair value vs. adding and subtracting. I use a level 3 count now so it became even more important to recognize all the pairs. I can flow back and forth on the ladder with the same speed as single cards.

Counting by single cards is simple but you need to do it real-time with the deal. Starting with the dealer top-card flip, each card that hits the table is counted before the next one hits. Your RC should always be current during play.

[psufan]

Personally, I count every card as it's dealt and if I get distracted due to someone talking to me or getting a drink from the drink girl or whatever, I'll catch up by counting pairs. Sitting 1b, I can miss the whole deal, count the cards that came out before playing my hand, then continue counting as others play theirs. I think it's important to be flexible so it's not so obvious you're looking at every card.

[DSchles]

Can't think of a worse idea than to sit at first base and count the cards one at a time.

Don

[tex]

Where do you prefer to sit?

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[UNCBear4SJ]

Where do you prefer to sit?

Third base. Can see the most cards before making my playing decision as well as easy to scan the entire table without obviously moving my head back and forth.