> How common is this type of experience for you counters
> out there?

I have found that it is very rare to encounter other counters. On the few occasions when I have spotted them, we would usually just keep are cool and continue playing as if the other was not there. The only thing that concerned me was if our bets would begin to go up in unison, we might draw a little heat.

The strangest encounter was in my early days when a dealer at a red table asked me what system I was using. Instead of getting be barred from the joined, he discussed game theory, related his experience with counting, and even offered advice on my game!