keeing count while talking practice??

I was wondering if any of you vets have any tips for keeping the count while some one is talking like other players, bored pit boss, or a cute cocktail waitress my personal weakness, hehehe. I also sometimes have to count my hand in my head especially if its a multiple card soft hand.In practice i sometimes lose the count. Im sure pratice is the key here, but i was just looking for some ideas. thanx

It takes loads of practice. I don't know anyone that can do two math problems at the very same time in their head at once. You have to get to where you are counting either your hand or the count from memory instead of adding in your head. This way one side of the brain is reciting and the other side of the brain is adding. This can be done simultaneously. I don't know about everyone else but I can hear the pb's or dealers conversation and I can smile and nod while keeping the count but I can't talk back or it messes me up. Kinda weird.

You have to find some kind of wierd zone in your head. It is hard to describe. It gets easier, though. You have to get plenty of sleep, first. You have to be focused, too.

I've been counting for almost 2 years and still lose the count sometimes. What helps for me is that if I have to piss off a ploppy by being rude to them, then so be it. Just don't lose that count. You know like when you are staring at a hot female. Same thing. You know how glued kids get to a video game. Also, if you are betting large wagers, it helps to keep you focused. I find it hard to be focused when betting red chips. It is boring.

What about useing your fingers under the table, or chips. Seems something like that might work too???

Yes, this happens often. PB comes up to you asking you if you have a card blah blah blah. If the count is 3, I go 3 3 3 3 in my head. I completely stop counting cards if it is the beginning of a new round. If I am in the middle of a round, that is more difficult but still can be done. Just go 3 3 3 finish what you 3 3 3 have to 3 3 3 say then try to remember what position you were in when you stopped. If you like to sweep the tables at the end of the deal, then it is even easier. Don't forget to include that blackjack that 2nd base got because the dealer just swept up his cards.

Also, I tend to talk slower when talking to pit bosses. It helps keep focus on the cards and makes you seem like an idiot. Remember, they are idiots too so then they will definitely understand what you are talking about. Sometimes, though, the PB could have said that he had sex with my mom last night, and I would nod "really, wow".

Remember, even ploppies watch the cards as they come out.

with my kids bothering me as they usally do when im trying to practice

Talking between rounds and remembering the count has not been that difficult for me, what always gets me in trouble is when someone wants to continue the conversation while cards are being delt. This is especially unnerving if it's the PB. Ploppies may watch the cards too while their being delt, but I become very self conscience when I don't want to look up from the table. It's not the BJ someone gets that I hate but when someone busts out with multiple cards!

The worst mess I got myself into was connecting on a personal level with a PB. We were both originally from the same area of TN as well as some cultural similarities in our lives. So the PB kept coming back to the conversation and asking a lot of questions. I had to give up the count. The result is that I keep conversations very "surface" and am more cautious.

I read an article once written by Isaac Asimov about where he did his first writing. He began in a cramped appartment with many noisy siblings about. Later when he could afford a quiet study to write in he found that he couldn't, he missed the chaos. He wired his brain to work in a certain environment. Many studies have shown this effect to be quite pronounced. Some memory masters recommend that one should study for a major exam with some item or type of music at hand. Then during the exam the same item should be displayed or music played.

Those of us that have practiced with out interuptions may be doing ourselves a dis-service. Try practicing card counting with the radio on and the tv playing an episode of jeopardy or millionaire. Answer all of the questions out loud. You might play a bit slower and make more mistakes but once you are comfortable with something like this the casino environment should be a breeze. Have your kids bang some pots and pans in the background it should sound a bit like the ding ding ding from the slots.

Hip Hop

I have practised couting online and can keep an accurate count, but can't do much else. I started making a habit of listening to music, searching the internet, and chatting inbetween hands. Since then I seem to be developing some kind of automatic skill where I don't really know what the cards are, but my brain just counts them at a glance.

What I've done is first count all busts and blackjacks and then when everything is finished, sweep the table and get the count ready to go for the next round. I then place my bet based on the TC and repeat the procedure. Not sure if this is helpful for anyone but it allows you to have a conversation while the cards are being dealt. Plus the sweep only takes about 10 seconds on a full table.

P.S. Can't wait to play this weekend in Las Vegas July 17-21. Wish me luck.