Stop the numbers in my head!!

London Colin said:
I'm only an occasional player, so I haven't really suffered from this phenomenon, but it does remind me of a related issue which I have encountered -

I chose to learn HiLo, mainly because I had bought a copy of Wong's Professional Blackjack, rather than for any more considered reasons. When I later discovered the existence of the Red-7 count, I toyed with the idea of switching, but it quickly became apparent that my brain was already hard-wired to ignore the 7s. It seemed foolish to try to unlearn the practice, particularly since there was a good chance I might later want to switch back, so I decided to stick with HiLo.

So does it have to be 'one count to rule them all', or are some people able to switch between different counting systems at the drop of a hat?
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I use Hi Opt II for SD and DD, and switch to REKO for the occasional "relaxing" 6D. Switching back and forth between counting systems itself isn't hard for me, it's keeping on top of the associated betting ramps and indices which were tough at first. Also, if you're a perfectionist like me, it can get even more brutal because your c-SCORE optimal betting ramp actually varies depending on the number of people sitting at the table and your seat position...imagine changing betting ramps every time someone new sits down or leaves :whip:
 
It would seem that the more successful someone is in making the counting process second nature, cancelling pairs and ignoring certain cards without consciously thinking about it, the more difficult it must become to move between different counts.

Do either of you employ any particular mental tricks, to help flip an imaginary internal switch? I can imagine that using different languages - one,two,three, eins,zwei,drei, etc. - could be a help.
 
I still use the canceling out method with Hi Opt II...I just recognize that only a 4 or 5 will cancel out a 10...not a tough mental switch with experience.

Though I reiterate the opinion that it really isn't beneficial for most players to switch systems unless you plan on playing literally millions of hands throughout your life. I decided to mainly for the challenge and to slightly curb the ror of my relatively young bankroll.
 
Dopple said:
Does anyone find themselves going 34567654567898787 etc. long after they are done playing? Sometimes to music?

How do you turn the numbers off? I may be going mad.:laugh:
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i usually do something that doesn't require a lot of brain power as a "cool down" from my mental workout. I go watch foxnews, read Palin's book, or take a shot of jack, and a puff of weed. They all have about the same mental requirements. <applause> Thank you thank you. No, you are all too kind.

On the subject of switching counts and indices, I find that it is similar to my high school and college theater days. memorizing lines and monologues, stage direction, voice inflection, emotive responses, and trying to make it look natural and unrehearsed. This is not unlike card counting in a casino. The personnel are your audience, and the counts and indices are your monologues, your responses to PC questions are improvs, or rehearsed kinetic dialogue. So for me, I can switch from hi opt to hi lo and the indices with maybe an hour of practice. I'm sure anyone can do it, if they put they're mind to it. It still blows me away to this day that I could memorize a whole 1.5 hour play within a few weeks, all while juggling classes, binge drinking, binge smoking, and binge girl having.
 
Jack

Jack_Black said:
i usually do something that doesn't require a lot of brain power as a "cool down" from my mental workout. I go watch foxnews, read Palin's book, or take a shot of jack, and a puff of weed. They all have about the same mental requirements. <applause> Thank you thank you. No, you are all too kind.

On the subject of switching counts and indices, I find that it is similar to my high school and college theater days. memorizing lines and monologues, stage direction, voice inflection, emotive responses, and trying to make it look natural and unrehearsed. This is not unlike card counting in a casino. The personnel are your audience, and the counts and indices are your monologues, your responses to PC questions are improvs, or rehearsed kinetic dialogue. So for me, I can switch from hi opt to hi lo and the indices with maybe an hour of practice. I'm sure anyone can do it, if they put they're mind to it. It still blows me away to this day that I could memorize a whole 1.5 hour play within a few weeks, all while juggling classes, binge drinking, binge smoking, and binge girl having.
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Jack,

You kill me man!!!

You are an original, and I really look forward to seeing you at the next BASH.:)

CP
 
daddybo said:
lol.. you are mistaken tc =+7 :devil:
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As in Seagram 7? smiley-eatdrink048.gif
 
Dopple said:
Does anyone find themselves going 34567654567898787 etc. long after they are done playing? Sometimes to music?

How do you turn the numbers off? I may be going mad.:laugh:
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This only happens to me if I play extraordinaily long sessions. But if I am well rested and if I keep the sessions short, I don't have this problem. I am finding recently that I play much more effectively when I get a good night's sleep, and when I play short sessions. I am also less error prone.
 
I switch between two counting systems depending on the game I am playing, and it is easier for me than I had expected. Nevertheless, this counting business is mentally tiring - I once was so tired I started counting out loud :eek: - and I often find myself having to chase the numbers out of my head right after I finish playing.
 
I do sometimes get the urge to count the license plate numbers of the cars like they were cards on the way home after a long session. I've had dreams about blackjack.
 
tensplitter said:
I do sometimes get the urge to count the license plate numbers of the cars like they were cards on the way home after a long session. I've had dreams about blackjack.
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It can become obsessive, however, a little negative variance generally brings life back into focus. Personally, I may abandon blackjack and gambling in general and concentrate on other things less exciting but more important to me. I am wondering if I should still post here if I give it up altogether? I enjoy the chatter here.
 
aslan said:
It can become obsessive, however, a little negative variance generally brings life back into focus. Personally, I may abandon blackjack and gambling in general and concentrate on other things less exciting but more important to me. I am wondering if I should still post here if I give it up altogether? I enjoy the chatter here.
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well darned aslan, i'd miss your chatter.
but anyway, just me maybe, i'd have some difficulty just up and walking away from messing with these casinos. again just me maybe, i find something compelling about it. money of course but i dunno this stuff just seems to satisfy some sort of instinct or something, lol.
addicted?:eek: errhh well, i don't think so. like say casinos vanished from the face of the earth, it would be my guess that i'd find something that offered the same sort of compelling nature about it and i'd end up fooling with that.
something to think about i guess.:rolleyes:
but yes, it's nice to completely get away from it all as well.
 
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