concentration/keeping the count

[blb078]

Anyone have any suggestions on concentration or keeping the count, i usually don't have a problem with counting as the cards are delt. but sometime when i have my hands i may lose the count while concentrating on my card or if there is a pauser for another person buying in, or what ever the reason, sometimes i have trouble remembering the count, anyone have any ideas on how they remember what the count is? thanks

[rookie789]

Practice, Practice, Practice...when you think you are proficient count during telephone conversations or some other multi tasking activity.

[deathmoon]

keep saying the count to yourself

[slayer]

LOL. i was counting it a school hand of blackjack and i was repeating the count in my head. well my friend tried to hold a conversation and i accidently blurted out the count. good thing i wasn't in a casino :D

[bj bob]

Whenever there's going to be a break in the table rhythm e.g. rack count etc., I take the number of chips from my stack and either set them aside or play with them in my hand. I use green for pos. and red for neg. which is the way I count in my head during the game. For some reason saying plus,minus doesn't stick in my brain as well as red,green, but that's just me.

[jetace]

I'm glad this was brought up. I've had the same troubles and I'm sure many others do as well. One thing I'll often do is if I happen to lose the count, I'll leave for a bathroom break or something. Its possible the deck could have gone south fast, and it is not worth the risk of playing a very negative deck.

I'm always open to learning new methods too, anything that will help with counting I give practice runs on my setup at home. If it works I incorporate it into my play, if not I move on.

Different techniques work for different people. I suggest trying methods mentioned by others at home, and stick with what works for you. Even if it sounds stupid, mundane, or too simple, it is a worth a try in practice. Never practice new techniques at a casino. You'll lose your money quickly.

[Canceler]

With luck you'll eventually have a special place in your mind that stores the count.

Since enough people think I'm weird already, asking this next question won't hurt...

Has anyone else ever been surprised by what the count is? I mean you're counting along pretty much on autopilot, and then suddenly wonder how the count got to be what it is?

[techster]

For some reason, when I get a soft hand I have a hard time remembering the count while I think about 7/17 and the like. So I will simply put the count on my fingers (left hand negative and right hand positive) and put my hand under the table, wrap it in my shirt tail, whatever. I play my hand and then go back to what ever my fingers are telling me!

[neemo6]

Let me recomend an awesome book called "how to develop a perfect memory" by Dominic O' Brien, helped me a ton on remembering the count and other things.

[sagefr0g]

Originally Posted by blb078

Anyone have any suggestions on concentration or keeping the count, i usually don't have a problem with counting as the cards are delt. but sometime when i have my hands i may lose the count while concentrating on my card or if there is a pauser for another person buying in, or what ever the reason, sometimes i have trouble remembering the count, anyone have any ideas on how they remember what the count is? thanks

i just keep repeating the rc silently in my mind over and over when there is a break in the action. it becomes habitual after a while. as a result i've found numbers, songs ect. stick in my memory to where i have to tell my self to let it go.

best regards,
mr fr0g :D