Basic Counting Question

[Finn Dog]

OK here's where I'm at:

I'm so green I've still got folds in my $19 Chinese felt...but I've read Knock-Out Blackjack (using KO Preferred) and I've read the guide/roadmap link all the FAQ here (to keep my stupid questions to a minimum).

Despite that, here's my first one:

Let's say I sit down at a 6-deck table so the IRC using KO is M20, and 5 hands are dealt. (I know about not starting to counting till the first player receives his 3rd card, about pairs canceling each other, and that a dealer will scoop up busted hands quickly, etc.)

But what I don't understand is do I count the table as a seperate entity (let's say it's 6) and deduct 6 from M20 after all hands have been played? Or do I keep adjusting M20 up or down as each hand is played (while trying to account for pairs that cancel)? What's easier?

Thanks in advance,

FD

 

[takinfromindians97]

I think the best way to count is in pairs, because it saves time and effort. Like you said all blackjacks and hands that bust will be grabbed up quickly by the dealer. I find that if you just go along as they are delt or glance after everyone gets their first cards, then once again after they get their second cards you will be fine. Basicly whatever is comfortable for you as long as you are counting a deck in under 30 seconds it should be no problem to keep up with any dealer card for card. Everyone is going to tell you the fastest way or the best way but it comes down to what works the best for you. I would go to the casino and try a few different methods until one works for you.
Happy counting

 

[iCountNTrack]

Hi Fin Dog,

This is more of a practical question, you will hear a lot of different approaches or strategies. i personally start counting as soon as the first card is played, i don't understand why people don't do that, i would want use the maximum amount of time with cards(you have to do it naturally not stare at the cards like a hawk).

I would advise you against waiting subtracting the total for the table from the IRC, the reason being is that you are more prone in making arithmetic errors, like 23-6 for example.
The better approach is to count the cards in pairs, so m20, m18, m20, m22, m20, m18, m16....

P.S I hope you are not playing at IRC m20 in real life

 

[SleightOfHand]

OK here's where I'm at:

I'm so green I've still got folds in my $19 Chinese felt...but I've read Knock-Out Blackjack (using KO Preferred) and I've read the guide/roadmap link all the FAQ here (to keep my stupid questions to a minimum).

Despite that, here's my first one:

Let's say I sit down at a 6-deck table so the IRC using KO is M20, and 5 hands are dealt. (I know about not starting to counting till the first player receives his 3rd card, about pairs canceling each other, and that a dealer will scoop up busted hands quickly, etc.)

But what I don't understand is do I count the table as a seperate entity (let's say it's 6) and deduct 6 from M20 after all hands have been played? Or do I keep adjusting M20 up or down as each hand is played (while trying to account for pairs that cancel)? What's easier?

Thanks in advance,

FD

First of all, I believe the IRC is -24 for 6D (4 per deck). Secondly, I would advise counting in at least pairs, starting with first base when he gets his second card, then to the other players going clockwise, then the dealer, then the other player's hit cards as they come. The reason for counting in pairs is so that you use minimal time looking at other people's cards, hence looking less suspicious. You may want to learn to count 3 cards at a time because it will be that much faster when playing heads up, giving you more hands/hr.

Since you have to be able to recognize cards that cancel and have to sometimes change your RC by 2, its slightly harder than counting one at a time. But this is very quickly learned and becomes second nature like counting in singles.