How fast can you count cards?

[morry]

Hi guys,

Just wondering how long it takes all of you to count a pack of cards. I just managed a PB of 30 secs. I still make a few mistakes, but theyre becoming fewer and fewer :D.

Ill hopefully halve this before I go near a casino.

[SweetAxtion]

25secs accurately. That's counting down 4 cards at a time. So I only have to make 13 turns to the deck.

[cyclinggimpe]

So far I can make 30 to 31 sec quite regularly. But, that is at home without distractions. I try to count while playing online and don't do very well.

[morry]

Most people who can count at casinos can usually count a pack in under 20 seconds, am I right?

[Mackhack]

To be honest,

why do you think about that? Do you watch to many Breaking Vegas on History Channel? You do not have to count a hole deck of cards as quick as possible at the table.

Have you ever counted at a table? Yes? I can count 100 % correct a head up single deck or 6 deck without any problems and I just tried a couple times to count a deck of cards or more at home as quick as possible. I think that is waste your time... Just practicing ok. Just start a couple times with card by card then increase it and count pairs. If you do not make mistakes... Stop it and practice to learn the BS... That is more difficult and takes more time for a lot of guys...

Just my 2 ct's.

[Canceler]

I'm with Mackhack in wondering why you seem so obsessed about how fast people can count a deck.

My personal best is 24.8 seconds, I'm usually in the 26-30 second range, and I can count cards perfectly well at the casino.

What you are shooting for is to be able to count without really thinking about it. Being able to count a deck in 25 or 30 seconds means you're getting to that point.

It's similar to needing to know BS cold. You should be able to look at your hand and instantly know how to play it without thinking about it.

Players who are practiced, and experienced, at both of these will be able to interact with other players and the dealer and generally appear to be human. Those who are bad at BS and counting will sit there like zombies to the point where other players may ask if they're okay.

[Mackhack]

@Canceler:

100 points from me!!! Totally right your sight!

[lagavulin62]

everything I have read says that if you can count down a deck within 30 seconds you are ok for the casinos. I usually average 25-26 seconds. sometimes I'm around 22-23. but really I don't practice it much. I do regularly backcount on casino verite for my practice and the speed I have advanced to is much faster than any human could deal. the one time I played for real I had two dealers that in my opinion were slow as he _ _. my gf walked up just before I left the table and she commented that those dealers were slower than her. but I've walked into the high rollers area and backcounted the so called "speedy dealers" and did not have a problem keeping up with them. this is not to imply that I am a fast counter because I surely don't believe I am. I am just saying that if you can count down a deck in 15 seconds that is great, but really not necessary. on the other hand the faster you are, the easier it is for you to act like a human. just frees your mind for other things, like admiring fake breasts and small talk with the hot dealer. all these things are important to a card counter so we must strive to increase our count speed. and with that it's time for "breaking vegas" and I'll have another round of talisker.

[morry]

The only reason I asked is that most of the reading material has suggested that you needed to be pretty quick. I intend on visiting a casino soon just to stand around and watch. If I think I can do well, then I may lay a bet down.

Thanks for the input everyone.

[lagavulin62]

morry,

I think thats the smart way to go about it. just see how you do without the added pressure of real money and everyone staring at you. if you are fast enough you will find out real quick. one thing that helps me is pay attention to the cards and don't get caught up watching all the body movements of the dealers. I mean, some dealers have a lot of movement in their method of dealing and if you get distracted by that it looks like they are faster than they really are. let us know how it goes.

mike