counting speed

I just counted a deck of cards in 25 seconds,using the high-low method.Do you think I'm ready for the casino?

I prefer to use the standard of counting down a six to eight deck shoe in under 35-seconds per deck.

My wife, Ma Barker, counted down her first deck in under 25-seconds using a modified level-2 system and did it three times in a row perfectly, but she had barely memorized the tag values. She was not ready for casino play for some time.

She was a natural counter from the beginning. Her accuracy has amazed me since she really never practiced much at all. In the first week, she only practiced a few hours but was able to count down over 240-decks in a row before she made her first error. Again, she was not ready for casino play herself, she made an instant back-counter for me. She is truly an amazing woman; I'm a lucky man.

-Wylie

Since I only play 6 deck shoes, I do it continuously for 6 decks before stopping. I rarely make errors. My decision making skills are excellent and I have mastered basic strategy.

I never try to pick conflict with you, but we often disagree on the surface.

Depending on your definition of success...

The most successful APs I've known or studied would agree the actions which create the advantage (card counting, peekie, etc.) is required, but that is not their "game".

I'd agree JC is 25% of his way to technically counting in a casino environment.

Counting skills have NOTHING to do with advantage play success in my not so humble opinion. Counting is one technical component of taking advantage of the opportunities that exist.

I'm not saying this is the final truth or "the way it is"... I'm just expending hot air transformed into bits and bytes for you to see my thoughts on the subject.

..You have just expanded on my thoughts exactly.

Cobbson

I've never counted down a deck of cards in my life and have absolutely no problem keeping the count in a casino. Sure you may lose the count in the beginning of your endeavors but simulating with your spouse talking to you, the TV blasting, whatever will not prepare you for casino play. There are enough delays in real play that you don't have to feel rushed in getting the count.

Since I don't have the writing ability to accurately describe what is in my head properly, I'll just say this. If you understand how Sun Tzu's "Art of War" applies to advantage play, you are there!

I would guess that they are talking about things like:

only play games with excellent rules and penetration.
play alone or with as few players as possible to get in more hands per hour.
play with fast dealers for the same reason.
play with discipline and manage your money.
know basic strategy down cold and certain deviations from BS.
don't drink and play or play tired or upset.
don't tip the dealers.
play with a big enough bankroll to endure the wild swings.
put the big money out when the count dictates it, even if you have lost x number of big bets in a row.
don't play all hands (leave in negative counts).
don't play in one pit/table/casino for too long.
don't stare at the cards; talk with the other players, dealer, pit.
don't correct dealer mistakes in your favor.
if the dealer is showing you their hole card, use that information.
there are advanced techniques like shuffle tracking to complement your counting.

The reference to the book I guess that you are not playing a game, you are at war with the casino. They are your enemy and treat them as such. No matter who much the pit wants you to think they are roting for you to win, they are not. I imagine some dealers will root for players, because their chance for tips are better. However, since you are not going to tip, they will not being rooting for YOU.

I'm sure there are many others. The idea is that learning to count cards is easy, but doing it undetected by the pit is a lot harder.

for most here.

I've always tipped a little than most pros, but only to those who truly appreciated it an entertained me somehow. (15% of the EV for OUTSTANDING service, house or ours depending who has the advantage).

I will never tip when I feel it is not getting me something or the person will not value the gift of money as much as I do. Remember we are only makin' a unit or two per hour when counting.

A nickel tip for a black chipper will be considers cheap and unappreciated by most any dealer in Las Vegas. They don't understand the math, nor do they know they often make much more than the house.

We scramble and look for a few cards of pen or a better rule. Then what, make less than if we were play a shitty game, but didn't tip? No way, for most of us. Working for 1,000+ hours before you can feel assured of being ahead is hard enough without giving most of it away. You're N0 will go through the roof, if you sim the tips.

A job where you get paid once a year and have to risk your own money sucks enough already. If you give half away, it will take more than twice as long. So be stingy and play efficiently or be a nice person and play for reasons other than to make money, its your choice.

I think it is sheer stupidity to accept great risk with little return. Just an opinion.

Tipping is not mathematically logical. If you are playing to risk your money to give it to pit critters, like dealer.... That is your choice.

I have tipped 'bout 15% of my EV each year. I tip extremely well to one out of 100 dealers. I tip rarely, but generously. Small casinos, dealer's who are the rare entertainer, they keep their own tips, and they are really cute. :)

Hopefully, you get the point. Know the exact amount of money you are giving away via simms, then don't vary from what you can live with. You will be making money and taking risk for yourself and can give it to anyone you want. Charity is a wonderful thing.

If you're playing with multiple players and the dealer gets a natural, they sometimes sweep the table immediately. Be sure to pay attention when the dealer has a 10 or ace up and grab the count.

Keep an accurate record of your tips over a period of time and then compare the total to your profit total. You may be surprised at how much the tips are costing you. I was, and now I don't tip nearly as much as I used to.

Get BJ savvy and write a book or program

you're ready to count a deck in 25 seconds.