how do you backcount without looking awkward?

this may be a stupid question... but as the title states, how do you backcount in a multi-deck shoe game without looking awkward?

i usually play double deck, and whenever i play a shoe game i sit down after a shuffle. i'll play as long as the count is neutral or positive. if it starts to get negative i'll move to another table that has just shuffled and start over.

i find it awkward to attempt to backcount. what am i supposed to do, stand behind a table and watch for 10 minutes before jumping in? isn't it awkward and possibly suspicious? what if there isn't even a seat open anymore when the count finally gets positive?

can you explain to me the procedure of backcounting and how it is done?

You might try standing even further back from the tables and observe the other normal citizens in the casino. Lots of people wander around and watch stuff. Observe and learn, and then try to act like them.

It doesn't really look as awkward as it feels. The people at the table don't notice you, and the dealer can't pay any attention to you.

The only ones watching you will be security, so just make sure you don't look like a hooker or anything! When I'm playing I could pass for a bum sometimes, and once when backcounting I got my own personal security escort, and chose to leave rather than face the unnecessary scrutiny.

Backcounting works well with a partner; you can stand between tables facing each other and talking and each backcount one. Because you're between tables you're not perceived as watching any particular table.

First of all, there's no one procedure for backcounting. You should make up your own style, and you should do it uniquely. Find unique things about "your" casinos and exploit them - a staircase that overlooks the floor, for example.

Secondly, re-read cardcounter0's post and do that. Spend 15-30 minutes just observing people as they walk by the tables, and note every little thing they do. What are they looking at (tables, walkway, big-chested women) as they walk by? How fast do they walk? After you observe, do whatever people do.

Finally, you need to be creative. I'll list two things I've done in the past that probably won't apply to you, but you get the idea.

(1) When the "basic strategy" cards first hit the casino stores, they were somewhat of a novelty. People didn't seem to realize that basic strategy wasn't a huge secret, but would kind of hide it while peeking at it. I went out and bought a card, and then stood behind a table, holding it in my hands in front of me, holding it far enough so it was pretty freaking obvious what I had in my hands, but close enough so it looked like I was trying to hide it. That basically allowed me to hover behind a blackjack table indefinitely.

(2) I once located a row of slot machines where the gap in between machines was big enough to see a full blackjack table and aligned so that when I slouched back in my chair I could see through the gap. I put a buck into the slot machine and just sat there backcounting that table, cashing out of the slot machine when the count went up.

nice, i actually have done something fairly "creative" before - i stood behind a table while eating an ice cream cone. i took my time until the count went positive. once it got positive i tossed it and jumped in. too bad i can't do this over and over... i can only eat so much ice cream.

LOL. i can see that happening if i'm just standing behind the tables, like a broke degenerate hoping to get thrown a bone.

Do friends help?

To expand on the OP's question, my first thoughts when learning about backcounting included going with friends. Am I correct in my initial thought: Have a friend playing the table min and I am an innocent observer chatting with my friend who decides, "What the heck, I'll play a bit too" when the count is high?

This has probably been overused, are there any reasons to avoid doing this?

Friends can be helpful, I sometimes do the opposite to this in small or quiet casino's. I bet while my friend sits at the table just watching and chatting, he only plays the occasional hand betting table min but he's basically backcounting when I wong out.

Girlfriends can be very useful too, they can just watch, play the occasional hand, play with your chips, you can coach them on their play (so they don't even have to know BS) This is all normal between couples and If worked correctly, you can basically use them to double your bet spread during high counts without anybody even noticing.

Here's an old thread with some good tips:

http://www.blackjackinfo.com/bb/showthread.php?t=2789

-Sonny-

It's pretty easy to catch. You're okay jumping in once, and you can probably Wong out and back in with a bathroom break, but you can never return to standing behind your friend and backcounting once you've jumped in.

You're basically describing team play, although in this case, I'm not sure you mean that your friend is knowingly helping you.

just wondering. do u think it would be obvious if ur friend is playing and waits for the count to get decent then just says "why dont u play?"

j/w i might do that for my friend if he goes with me on a practice run or something

There's no single play that suspicious by itself.

There's any number of ways you can get into the game once - but it doesn't work if you try it repeatedly. You can't jump in for a few hands, then leave, then backcount again, and then have your friend invite you to join again. It's a one-shot pistol.

I use my wife as camo, she sits down with the basic strategy chart and follows it to the T. Of course Im counting and talking to her at the same time. When the count goes my way, I give her the signal so I play in her place or next to her but more aggressive. Make some money and leave when you start feeling the heat...May not be as easy as it sounds though.

Also watching people play with the chart while you count and jump when the counts is favorable. Like you finally decided to play...:devil: