An Easy Fix
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.