penumbra: counting technique

penumbra · 08-12-2004, 03:56 PM

I play in single deck games.
I can count down a deck two at a time in
about 15 seconds, and three at a time in a bit more.
Unfortunately, counting this way is of little help in the
casino. My strategy is to count my two cards and
the dealer's up card first, and then add subsequent
cards one at a time. I wonder if it might be more
effective to wait until all the cards are out, and then
tally them at the end of the round -- that way I can
focus on my play, and not worry about the count.
Any suggestions?

--Punumbra

Don Schlesinger · 08-12-2004, 04:40 PM

> I play in single deck games.

You're forgiven! :-)

> I can count down a deck two at a time in
> about 15 seconds, and three at a time in a
> bit more.

Excellent.

> Unfortunately, counting this way is of
> little help in the
> casino. My strategy is to count my two cards
> and
> the dealer's up card first, and then add
> subsequent
> cards one at a time.

Perfect. Except when players reveal their hands to double down, split, or to show a natural. Then, you count them two at a time.

>I wonder if it might be
> more
> effective to wait until all the cards are
> out, and then
> tally them at the end of the round -- that
> way I can
> focus on my play, and not worry about the
> count.
> Any suggestions?

If you don't count the cards that show before you play your hand, then you're not playing your hand correctly. Continue doing it the way you've been doing it.

Don

penumbra · 08-12-2004, 06:52 PM

Thanks much for the advice. Of course
it is sensible to count all available
cards before any strategy decisions
(I don't know what I was thinking!)

> You're forgiven! :-)

> Excellent.

> Perfect. Except when players reveal their
> hands to double down, split, or to show a
> natural. Then, you count them two at a time.

> If you don't count the cards that show
> before you play your hand, then you're not
> playing your hand correctly. Continue doing
> it the way you've been doing it.

> Don