Card Counting Strategies?

[tamz0r]

Hey I'm new to this forum and this is my first post. I wanted to know how you guys counted your cards. I personally find it easier to sit in an early position, wait until all the cards are out, play my hand, count my hand, then count everyone else's hands as they are being played. This way, I can cancel out any hi-lo pairs of cards which makes things easier.

However, the problem with this waiting technique is that if the dealer has blackjack, then I have to quickly count everyone's hands before the dealer mucks them all.

So I'm curious, what technique do you guys use? Do you count each individual card as it's passed out or some other technique?

[thedweller]

Well, personally I learned to count the cards by studying the articles from Gamemaster Online, hence I start keeping the running count as the player to the left gets his/her second card, and update the running count in pairs as the rest of the players get their cards.

[BJStanko]

cards dealt to each player. Start counting when player at first base gets his second card. By the time dealer deals himself a hole card you will know correct count.

[tamz0r]

Well, counting whole hands as the 2nd cards come out sounds really smart. I will practice this. Thanks, guys!

[SystemsTrader]

When I first started in a casino I actually had no method and was inconsistent with my counting. Now I start with the dealers up card and follow the dealer when he hands out the second card to each player so that I can cancel cards then I follow as each player plays the rest of his hand. I've found for myself that it is really important to be consitent with how you count so you don't lose track of which cards you have counted.

[rzerector]

I'm a bit of a weirdo, I count each card as it comes out. Then I check my count after all the cards are out by cancelling pairs. I know it sounds hard but after a while you get used to it.