counting cards

[TonyDee]

I just wanted to get an idea of how other people count...

do you start your count as the dealer deals out one card for eack player? or do you start your count when each player has two cards?

I myself find it a lot easier to count when a player's cards pair up since I can net and cancel almost instantaneous. Plus counting this way is a better cover up so it doesn't look like I'm counting.

 

[E-town-guy]

I started counting after I read Kevin Blackwood's book which says to begin your counting after each player has two cards so you can cancel pairs of hi/low cards out easily. After I do that for each player I count each hit card, usually individually. Lastly I count the dealer's cards but wait till both cards are face up and then again count each hit card. This seems like a pretty logical way of doing things because its much simpler, in my opinion, if you can cancel two cards out most of the time.

When I first started counting at the casino I found it more difficult to count if I was sitting at first base because sometimes I was still finishing up the count in my head as the dealer was asking me for my signal. I'm sure it would look obvious to the house/dealer if you did this for every hand especially on hands where the choice was obvious. Nonetheless, I'm faster now so it doesn't really happen anymore but I still prefer to sit in mid table or 3rd base.

 

[Mikeaber]

I agree with what E-Town-Guy laid out. I think it's easier that way.

 

[Mackhack]

Hi,

I'm waiting up until all players got their cards. Then I start counting and do that just in one overlook over the whole table including the dealers upcard. I'm that good and fast that I'm able to cumulate 2, 3 and 4 cards at the same time. That takes me approx. 3 sec. for the whole table and then I still have time to look around to check the beautiful chicks around us plus it gives me the freedom to act pretty calm and relaxed.