Thank you Secretariat -- I'm new and now know enough to get in trouble -- which I'm going to aim to avoid! The best advice is sometimes heard but hits the "but I don't want to" button (which really means it should be paid the most attention to!). I'm waiting to let my money hit the felt again and saving. Practicing. I should have -8 to all positive deviations (kicks out at 16..and one <21...and another <22) down pat in a few more days hopefully. Then in a few weeks of playing CV Blackjack with -8 to 22 loaded in I'll start to add in the remaining 52 negative deviations below -8. The positive deviations are certainly easier, but they all follow patterns and can be learned. Hopefully I'm not playing that many negative games! Once I have enough to play comfortably for a day, I have a shop in mind with a most likely $10-15 game -- I'm not nervous so much as I want to make sure I'm absolutely playing (at least what I've learned) close to perfect. I'm averaging 5 hands/min right now in drills with random counts and hands that have deviations, but putting it all together with counting/betting I bet I'm slower than that. Also, I'm not bad but need to improve (well, everything) but my deck estimation / TC conversion I'm practicing a decent amount.

I read up on some side counting aces RC adjustments based on how many aces/decks are left -- still need to dig in there but tabling it for mastering my PAO system, all the deviations for the game I'll be playing, and lots and lots and lots of practicing.

Much thanks y'all -- and rock on!