AC last tues

First off let me start by saying that I've been reading this forum for awhile and everyone's responses have been very helpful to me. So thanks to everyone :-)
Ok now to the story..
I was in AC last tues, first stop...Resorts. They only had 2 $10 BJ tables open which I didn't like but I sat down anyway at a table w/ 6 other players. That was my first mistake. It was way too crowded on the table and everyone was pushed together like sardines in a can, making it very difficult to count.
Sat down and when the dealer burned the first card I asked her to see it. She responded "Why? Are you going to count?" I said" no and said I like to see it because of a supersition", so she rolled her eye's and showed it to me. Long story short I walked w/ $75 ahead because I had some ass sitting next to me that was splitting 7's or 8's against the dealers 10 and basicly just screwing up the whole table. He even hit on 14 w/ the dealer showing a 6. So I left.
Down to the Sands...
I walked by a $5 table and noticed the dealer (dealer's name and descripton deleted)was extremly slow, I'm talking turtle slow, how or why they even gave her a job is beyond me, so I sat down to take advantage of the slow play.

I ended up having the pit ask me several times if I wanted to be rated and I was only up not even 500. So that brings me to my first question: Is that weird for a pit to keep asking someone to be rated?
I'm by no means a pro counter but I do count using T Hi-low and it worked out very nicely.
I walked w/ $550 after only laying out 100 so actually 450 was my total win, which brings me to my next question: Am I considered to be a novice counter if I couldn't keep a straight count at resorts because of the 7 players and the fast deal?
I guess I should stick to smaller games, but what can I do in the mean time to add to my time it takes to count?
Any help would be appriciated.
Thanks,

advantage. I guess what you mean is that you don't count that well yet, so you needed a slow dealer. What you want is a fast dealer and fewer players. Your advantage is multiplied by your bet, so the more bets you can put out, the more you when in the long run. Counting is difficult with lots of people and slow play, even if you're decent. Keep practicing. Also, you'll be asked to be rated no mater how much you play, buy in for, win or lose. They want you in their data base so they can market to you. Good luck. Study and practice some more.
Did the tables you played have good penetration? Did theyallow mid-shoe entry?

... I walked w/ $75 ahead because I had some ass sitting next to me that was splitting 7's or 8's against the dealers 10 and basically just screwing up the whole table. He even hit on 14 w/ the dealer showing a 6. So I left.

Hitting a 14 vs. a 6 is the correct index play in a very negative shoe (though a counter usually shouldn't be playing in such a shoe). Splitting 8's against a 10 is the correct simple basic strategy play. But why would you even pay attention to what another player does, other than to count his cards? The other player's actions have no long-term effect on you. Forget about what other players do and concentrate on improving your own game.

... I sat down to take advantage of the slow play.

As Snapper pointed out above, slow play is a disadvantage to the skilled player, not an advantage.

Am I considered to be a novice counter if I couldn't keep a straight count at resorts because of the 7 players and the fast deal?

More than likely. Keep practicing.