Forgetting the count

[Crimnol]

I've recently started studying blackjack. I think the hi-lo system works very well. I understand how to count cards, and I'm getting faster.

I set up these mock-blackjack things where I act as the dealer and the player...I still don't know the dealer's down card so it works. And the system seems to be very beneficial.

My only problem is remembering the count. I'll remember the count as say -2, and than look at the board. The dealer has an up card of 8, I have a 9 and a 7 which gives me a hard 16. I hit, it might give me a 4, just for the sake of discussion. Now I have a hard 20. The dealer flips over a 10, I would win.

By this time I have to take a few seconds to remember the count and which cards are already factored into the count before counting the remaining cards.

The dealer would be done at this point and is going to gather his cards.

So my question is, how do you guy's remember the count? Is there an order by which you count the cards that make's it easier for you to remember? Any tips would be greatly appreciated.

 

[callipygian]

how do you guy's remember the count? Is there an order by which you count the cards that make's it easier for you to remember?

There's no obvious shortcut, if that's what you're asking.

Make sure you know basic strategy like the back of your hand. Play basic strategy until you get bored playing it - that's when you really know that your decisions are automatic. Part of the reason many people forget the count is because they have to think about basic strategy. If you hooked up a speaker to their brain, it'd sound like this: "Count -2 ... hard 12 v. dealer 10 ... hit ... 4 ... hard 16 v. dealer 10 ... hit ... 4 ... hard 20 vs. dealer 10 ... stand ... dealer flips over a 10 ... what was the count again?" You want to omit all the noise, so that your brain sounds like this: "Count -2 ... 10/2 equals -2 ... 4 equals -1 ... 4 equals 0 ... 10/10 equals -2."

The best way to count the cards, in my opinion, is pairwise with hit cards added one by one. That is, don't count the dealer's upcard until he flips over, and don't count player hands until they've either got blackjack, split, or hit.

 

[Slick Vic]

When I first started counting, I always pictured the running number like it was on a movie screen. Just a huge number in solid white with nothing but black screen around it. Don't pay too much attention to other players' hand totals- just get good at adding the cards from their hands to your count. I tend to only count other hands after they're finished, not as each card is coming out.

Also, what might help you is saying the count to yourself in a foreign language through gritted teeth. (silently, of course) I did this with Spanish until I got better at remembering the count. I wouldn't recommend Spanish though, because looking back I should have picked a less recognizable dialect. Maybe learn how to count in Hindu or Arabic or something.

 

[bjtocki]

I had the same problem at first. The only solution to me was practice, practice and practice... it took me 3 months practicing like 1 to 2 hours daily to get there.

 

[gibsonlp33stl]

I don't think it's a good idea to watch the cards and say stuff to yourself as they come out...unless your act is to be really crazy guy who mutters to himself constantly. Best way I think to do it is to count as the player's second cards are dealt out. Then count the dealer's up card. Now watch each players hand and count each card they get individually as they hit, double, or split. Of course do the same with yours. And count individually as the dealer flips and hits. You won't get heat for watching other people's hands intently as they hit and play them, b/c that's what everybody does...same with the dealers hands. The only problem with waiting until the people play their hands to count them...what if the dealer has a T up, then flips his other card showing an ace...and quickly swipes up everyone's cards...did you have time to count them? If you counted as the second card came out you did, if you didn't, then probably not. Just my 2 cents...

 

[gibsonlp33stl]

Oh yea - I second practice, practice, practice...it makes everything easier.

 

[bjcounter]

I always count the dealer's upcard as soon as it is shown. I don't know what kind of additional edge the gives me, but 1 card is better than no card. I'm sure it would be easier for a complete newbie to wait until you see both (or more) though.

 

[moo321]

1. Count all the face-up cards, as soon as the second card falls.
2. Count the dealers up card.
3. Count hit cards to players
4. Count dealer hole card
5. Count dealers draw cards

 

[Crimnol]

So, most of what I'm getting here is to not wait...I should account for the cards as soon as they land.

As far as basic strategy, wouldn't it be beneficial to adjust it along with the count? Let's say the true count was +4, it is slightly more likely that the next card could be a 10. So instead of using the exact basic strategy like a robot, I might stand on a hard 16 against a 6...which seems to the incorrect based on the charts in "beat the dealer"? So I would still have to put some thought into that, correct?

 

[bjtocki]

So, most of what I'm getting here is to not wait...I should account for the cards as soon as they land.

Yes, just like mentioned here, counting pairs is much easier.

As far as basic strategy, wouldn't it be beneficial to adjust it along with the count? Let's say the true count was +4, it is slightly more likely that the next card could be a 10. So instead of using the exact basic strategy like a robot, I might stand on a hard 16 against a 6...which seems to the incorrect based on the charts in "beat the dealer"? So I would still have to put some thought into that, correct?

You calculate TC when the round is over for betting X units and when it's your turn to play the hand for hitting, standing, doubling according to the TC indexes. My advice is not to sit on the first base (first seat) so you will have some time for the TC calculation. Third base (last seat) is the best so you will have plenty of time to see all the cards and for the TC conversion.

 

[shadroch]

When I was learning, I'd use the names of ballplayers instead of numbers.
If the count was 2, I'd think Jeter, if it was 6 I'd think Roy White. It was easier for me to remember a name than a number. Associate the count with something you love-sports,music, cars. Perhaps 1-Washington, 2-Jefferson, 5- Lincoln, ect,ect

 

[Crimnol]

Wow, I like this forum, you guys are very responsive

I've never actually sat down at a BJ table, so tell me, does the dealer say the totals when dealt? Like if I'm dealt a 10 and a 6, will the dealer say "16"?


Oh, and do you guys keep a constant mental log of the true count or the running count? Is it very important to factor the remaining number of decks into it? A friend of mine went to a casino for the first time, the Harrah's in New Orleans, and than to the Grand Biloxi. From what I hear, the shoe has like 10 decks in it. I don't know if this is an exaggeration or not. If it really does have a huge ammount of decks in the shoe, am I allowed to ask how many decks are being used? Or is that too suspect?

 

[mathman]

There's no obvious shortcut, if that's what you're asking.

Make sure you know basic strategy like the back of your hand. Play basic strategy until you get bored playing it - that's when you really know that your decisions are automatic.

While you've received allot of good suggestions, the above quote is the best advice you've received so far. Judging from your comments you have a long way to go until you're ready to play in a casino. callipygian is 100% correct by saying you need to execute basic strategy perfectly before you move on. The little gain you may get from counting cards can be easily removed by basic strategy errors. Take your time and learn it completely so there is no time or brain power wasted on bs decisions. This is more important than counting by far as that is the way you will be playing the majority of the time. Good luck.....JtMM

 

[shadroch]

For the life of me, I don't understand why players are reluctant to bring a BS card with them and consult it whenever they are uncertain.

 

[1357111317]

On the topic of BS cards, do you think it would be good cover for a counter to have a BS card in front of him? Obviously you don't need it but it would make you look like a ploppy and give you a reason for why you are playing, (with the exception of indices) flawless BS because I'm sure as most people can attest to on here, even 95% BS players are very tough to come by.