I learned how to count cards with the Halves count, and it's the only system I use. Contrary to almost every internet site out there, it is a learn-able system for the average counter/individual. Here are a few things that helped me count faster and more efficiently while learning the system. Most won't apply to other counting systems that don�t use fractions. Everyone should first get Stanford Wong's Professional Blackjack to learn about this system, the tag values, etc., but here are a few considerations:
Don't stress about the fractions. Take 1.5 and add 1, and you get 2.5. That simple. There are some fractions that are difficult at first, especially while going from positive to negative counts (+0.5 and subtracting 1 to get -0.5; or -0.5 and add 1.5 to get +1). But every combination with fractions will soon become second nature.
I feel the hardest part of the Halves system is that fractions use up so many syllables. Take "1.5," for example, being three syllables, in contrast to one syllable for both"1" and "2." So the difficulty lies with having so many more syllables each time thinking a number. Say the following out loud (or in your head like you would at a table):
1.5, 2.5, 1.5, 0.5, -0.5, -1.5, -2, -3, -2.5, -1, 0.5
Just saying (or thinking) that series of numbers takes longer than had there been only whole numbers. But this can be mitigated (this post assumes you know the tag values for each number, but just in case: 2 = 0.5; 3/4 = 1; 5 = 1.5; 6 = 1; 7 = 0.5; 8 = 0; 9 = -0.5; 10/A = -1):
1) Use "neg" (short for negative) instead of "minus." This eliminates one syllable. So negative counts are "neg 1," neg 1.5," etc.
2) Use "nil" instead of "zero." So "0.5" becomes "nil.5"; "-0.5" becomes "neg nil .5" or simply �neg .5� (also I say "point five" and not "one half" because I found myself sometimes trying to divide by two instead of adding 0.5).
3) Use different-numbered combinations more often. For example:
(a) 5 (worth 1.5) and either a two or a seven (each worth 1/2) make 2
(b) 7 cancels 9 (likewise 2 cancels 9 (9s are worth -0.5))
(c) 5 cancels (A,9); 5 also cancels (10,9)
(d) 5 and two high cards (10,10 or 10,A) always make -0.5
(d)(1): Therefore (5, 7) and (10,10) cancel; and (5,2) and (10,10) also cancel ((10,A) can substitute for 10,10)
(d)(2): (5,9) and (10,10) make -1; (5,10) and (10,9) make -1
But more importantly, realize that there are a lot of potential cards that can cancel each other out or make simple combinations. Now I don't even look at a hand at a time, but I can see that my two cards of (5,6) and my neighbor's two cards of (10,9) make +1 ((1.5 + 1) and (-1 -0.5)). So instead of counting my 2 cards and then looking at my neighbor�s two cards, I start seeing +1 for those four cards. This will become second nature, just as cancelling +2 from our hand and -2 from your neighbor's hand is with the hi/lo. Notice now that you can count basically two hands at a time, which the fractions might even make easier. But yes: there is a learning curve.
But try it; it's worth it. I say forget doubling the numbers to avoid fractions. Embrace them.
