basic counting questions

I am new to counting. I am wondering what technique people use to keep the running count going in their head. Do most people "sub-vocalize" (saying the count internally) or do people visualize the count and not even put it into words internally. I want to get started on the right path with counting. I would think that being able to visualize the count would be very hard, but less prone to distractions, but I don't know if it is even possible. What do you think?

Also, the hardest part of counting seems to be with crossing the zero threshhold (i.e. 2,1,0,-1,0,1,0,-1,-2....etc. Are there any tricks (besides practice) to get good at this. Also, are there any drills for counting that don't require cards or a computer. Such as when out on a walk and counting every red car seen as +1, and a blue car as -1 ???

Theo

When I go into negative territory, I don't think "minus one, minus two, etc." I think "bad one, bad two, etc." When I'm in positive counts, I do away with the mental "plus" and just think, "one, two, etc." Some players would say "Why worry about counting in negative counts at all? That's the time to walk away." Of course, that isn't always practical.

As for counting exercises that don't use cards or computers, I suppose anything that will work for you is fine. However, I do think you need to look at cards or a representation of them on a computer screen. When you see a six or a ten, or whatever card it is, you need to be able to automatically assign the appropriate tag number without conscious thought. It would seem to me that looking at red lights vs. green lights or other objects that are not cards wouldn't give you that automatic response you want to have at the tables.

When in negative territory, subvocalize "mi-one, mi-two," etc. Cutting out that extra sylable, even mentally, adds to your speed.

I *STRONGLY* suggest practicing with actual cards, rather than computer images of cards. The use of actual cards also can help you remember what, for example, 3 decks in the discard pile looks like.

IMHO, your practice should be as close to actual casino conditions as possible.

Also, there are no tricks I know of re crossing the "zero threshold." Practice until it becomes no problem, and until you can count down a deck, two cards at a time, from zero to zero in less than 30 seconds.

Theo wrote:
Also, the hardest part of counting seems to be with crossing the zero threshhold (i.e. 2,1,0,-1,0,1,0,-1,-2....etc. Are there any tricks (besides practice) to get good at this.

An easy trick to prevent you from crossing the zero threshold while using Hi/Lo is to start with a base number of 20 = 0 and then either add to, or subtract from your base number as the case may be. And then drop your base figure of 20 prior to your true count conversion.
That way you're never dealing with negative numbers or crossing over between a negative number and a positive number.

For example 2,2,3,4,5,6 come out so your at a running 26 which equals a running 6 after removing your initial 20 base. (to illustrate: 26=6, 24=4 22=2,32=12 etc) Easy isn't it? Had 6 high cards come out you would have been at running 14 which after you remove the base you automatically know you're at a running - 6. etc; (14-20=-6), a running 15 would have been a running -5, a 12 would have been a -8 etc. After using this method for awhile you don't even have to give it a second thought, it becomes 2nd nature.

Another trick to make TC conversions easier and much faster as it also becomes 2nd nature, is to multiply rather than to divide to obtain your True Count. When you divide to obtain the TC, often times you will end up with a fraction and the resulting fractions aren't used anyways since your trunicating so why go thru the gymnastics.

For example, if you're playing a 6 deck shoe and 1 deck is played, 5 remaining, you automatically know you need a running 5 to equal a TC 1, a running 10 for a TC 2, running 15 for a TC 3, etc; after 3 decks played and 3 remaining, you would naturally need a running 3 to equal TC 1, running 6 for TC 2, running 9 for TC 3 etc.

Using these methods will greatly increase your speed of counting and TC conversion and will also reduce the fatigue factor and allow you to play longer without making any mistakes.

Card.

Try Shackleford's idea... while you are driving around, count 9, 7, 5, 3, 1, -1, -3, -5, ... over and over. Then switch to even numbers. Then go up instead of down. First thing you know, you will be counting automatically up and down through zero with no problems at all. These sequences get sort of burned into your memory and it really does become easy... Just do it multiple times a day, whenever you are driving or whatever...

When I was starting out, I had a hard time holding the count and the sign. I took to repeating the sign after the count. Counting, "One negative, two negative, one negative." Then I just stopped repeating the sign until natural breaks in the action like when all the first cards are out. Of course, there are lots of ways this can screw you up. For instance, the count increases with tens and aces when in a negative count. That can be very confusing when the count bounces over and under zero. Also, I did have a period where I was losing the sign, but this was easy to resolve by just looking at the size of my bet on the table. Also sometimes I will associate the count with a card on the table, just to lock it in. For instance, the count is 7 and somebody needs to buy chips for a double. I will find a seven on the table, and just lock it into memory with that visual reminder. These breaks in the action are where I found I used to lose the count. The faster the action, the less likely I was to lose the count.

With practice, I now can easily hold the count without even having to worry about the sign. I don't recommend this method, but it is what has worked for me.

is to count down from 100 in negative situations (-1 = 99, etc). Makes crossing zero easier and less error prone. Also, you might check out my web site, it allows you to count cards in a number of different ways and at different speeds.

Milo