"Order of operations" at the table

[dark_hatchling]

What's your guys' typical order of handling business at the table? I mean, the dealer starts dealing...do you count as they deal or wait until the first 2 cards are dealt to each player? And then when you look at your cards do you decide if your hand has an index and then calculate the TC and decide if the Index is within range, or do you always calculate TC and then decide if your hand has an index and if its in range? Run me through a couple of hands... :grin:

 

[Sonny]

What's your guys' typical order of handling business at the table? I mean, the dealer starts dealing...do you count as they deal or wait until the first 2 cards are dealt to each player?

It's best to wait until at least the first 2 cards have been dealt. Counting in pairs is much faster, easier and looks more natural. From the Frequently Asked Questions thread:

Q: Should I count the cards one at a time or in pairs?
A: You should practice counting the cards in pairs and in groups of three. You will be able to count much faster and easier since most cards will cancel out.

http://www.blackjackinfo.com/bb/showthread.php?t=10616
http://www.blackjackinfo.com/bb/showthread.php?t=5201
http://www.blackjackinfo.com/bb/showthread.php?t=9392
http://www.blackjackinfo.com/bb/showthread.php?t=9518

And then when you look at your cards do you decide if your hand has an index and then calculate the TC and decide if the Index is within range, or do you always calculate TC and then decide if your hand has an index and if its in range?

You only need to re-calculate the TC if you need it for an index play. Otherwise, just play the hand normally and keep updating the RC.

-Sonny-

 

[moo321]

Very good question. I count:

1. Player hands as the second card is laid
2. Dealer's upcard
3. Player's hit cards
4. Dealer's hole card
5. Dealer's hit cards

In pitch games (double and single deck) I count:

1. My hand
2. Dealers upcard
3. Players hole cards if they are exposed for a double or split
4. Players hit cards
5. Dealers hole card
6. Dealers hit cards
7. Players hole cards (as they are revealed after the hand). Also double down card if this is not revealed until the end of the hand

In pitch it is very easy to count cards twice, so be careful.

 

[HockeXpert]

In pitch games (double and single deck) I count:

1. My hand and other player's two card hands that are seen
2. Dealers upcard
3. Players hole cards if they are exposed for a double or split
4. Players hit cards
5. Dealers hole card
6. Dealers hit cards
7. Players hole cards (as they are revealed after the hand and only if not seen initially). Also double down card if this is not revealed until the end of the hand

In pitch it is very easy to count cards twice, so be careful. Be extra careful if you count player's hole cards before the dealer exposes them.

Agreed with slight edit in red above.

D_H: Unlike shoe games, except when shoe games are dealt very deeply, every card seen in pitch can figure dramatically into playing decisions.

 

[bjcardcounter]

What's your guys' typical order of handling business at the table? I mean, the dealer starts dealing...do you count as they deal or wait until the first 2 cards are dealt to each player? And then when you look at your cards do you decide if your hand has an index and then calculate the TC and decide if the Index is within range, or do you always calculate TC and then decide if your hand has an index and if its in range? Run me through a couple of hands... :grin:

even while counting as the dealer deals, I try to count in pairs i.e as he deals the alternate players. But counting the player's cards as their second card is dealt is better since I can keep my eyes out of cards for sometime.

I count the Dealer's cards when he plays only.

 

[dark_hatchling]

Thanks for the replies.

So would this be the basic "flow chart" at the table?

Dealer Deals first hand/Min bet...

Keep running count -> Decide if hand has Index -> Calculate TC if So -> Determine if TC = Index -> Play Index; Else play BS -> Dealer busts -> Calculate TC -> Adjust Bet -> Repeat

 

[Gamblor]

Yesterday my order of operations was like this (always changing I guess):

Gawk at hot waitresses's or casino patron's ass -> Quickly scan the board after all the cards are dealt and adjust RC -> TC conversion -> Index play -> Dealer busts -> Spread bet to x30 -> Get the f*ck out of Dodge not soon afterwards :grin:

 

[tthree]

In pitch games how do you determine the number of cards seen? If you don't see a significant number of cards the discard pile is meaningless. I am hoping to get to play some good pitch games but I will have to travel to find them. Only shoe games are playable around here.

 

[HsiaoDi]

Don't you try to calculate by 2.7 cards per hand? Or practice judging quarter deck?

 

[Zach Black]

After the gawking at the waitress....check the score of the football game...Then see if there's a fresh shoe within sight to jump if count keeps tanking. Ok back to 1st base...