Player expectation of a positive count

How often should you expect a run of good betting opportunities.

I have been getting in some practise at a six deck game, one shoe was negative all the way through the shoe, the next wasn't much better, the next the RC never went beyond 3 then zero at the end of the shoe.

Counting is like sex - you have to be able to maintain it.

It's one thing holding a deck of cards in one hand at home and flipping them over in under 25 seconds. It's a different game at the tables when the cards are whizzing right to left and after a few rounds of hands you've lost it.

the deeper the penetration the less time you will spend at a 0 true count and more time spent towards the extremes. (The bell curve of advantages is flatter with deeper penetration. Programs like CVCX, CVData, or SBA can tell you the exact count frequencies for any BJ game and corresponding penetration level.

You can use CVCX online to perform this calculations to your heart's content.

> It's a different game at the tables when the cards are whizzing right to left...<

In multi-deck open games, do NOT try to count the cards as they are dealt. Not only will you frequently lose the count, but your head and eye movements will give you away in no time.

Count the cards hand by hand as the hands are played. This is easiest when sitting at 1st base; but is still easily doable from any position. Also, this is natural -- to be watching each player as they play their hands. The only time you have to be fast is when the dealer shows a blackjack. This is when your practice of counting the cards two at a time pays off -- letting you scan and count the 2-cards hands before they get scooped.

It doesn't matter when to count cards when you get skilled, but just like Rich said, everybody looks at the cards when they are dealt, so it doesn't really matter.

BTW if you only count when the hands are played, you will be missing the playing index decisions, because it would be more accurate to count all the tables on the table beforehand for that, specially when the penetration goes deeper in a full table, that can be differences of up to TC +3.

I did consider waiting for each box to receive two cards then beginning the count, but decided for a busy table that is time going to waste. I have to agree with the comments above, most if not all players scan everybody elses cards.

I count each card as it hits the felt and that works for me.

Your original statement, as I understood it, was that you were having trouble keeping the count in multi-deck open games.

I merely gave you an easy way to keep the count and not lose it.

A count you can keep is infinitely more valuable than one you can't.

It's best to not be paying attention to the cards as they come out and once all of them have been dealt, you can learn to scan the table and be able to count very quickly. Peripheral stuff will cause you to lose the count now and then if you do it as the cards come out. Distractions are constant.

Your mind will eventually get to the point of matching 2 and 3 at a time and cancel/add/subtract immediately. Plus, if you're playing correctly, there won't be a full table so you only have to add the cards of one or two other players...definitely not difficult.

Regards,
PM

If you wait until all spots and the dealer have received both cards you will find that the task of tallying the count is much less mentally taxing than counting each card as it is dealt , primarily due the the offset of negative and positive each spot as PM has stated. I know that whatever works, does work, but if those of you that count each card as it hits the felt give this method a try, in a very short time, and I am talking an less than an hour for most of you, you will be glad you tried it. You can take that to the bank.

Cobbson

SCANNING AFTER THE CARDS HAVE BEEN DEALT IS A PIECE OF CAKE

After a while you'll be scanning the table and instead of canceling single hands you'll be canceling multiple hands.
For example the first hand is 6,5 and the second hand is T,T so you just scanned a zero without a thought.
Your way you had to count each card... burning too many brain cells needed for other decisions.

BJC

I usually sit at 3rd base and can scan the entire table after all players have 2 cards. Its quick and easy to cancel/add/subtract. If I feel heat, I look away as the cards are dealt pretending not to care. Since I scan the entire table, watching each card come out isn't necessary. I have lots of time to count waiting for my play.

If the dealer shows BJ, I quickly scan from my position to 1st base since the dealer will scoop the cards from that direction.

Just my system...YMMV.

--Jeff

...is the difference between what appear to be the new, highly technical and theoretical players and what appear to be the old seasoned, experienced players.

The young zealots want to count every pip as soon as possible; while those who've been at this a while know you don't have to be in a hurry and as long as you've got a current count when it's time to bet and/or time to make a playing decision.

This game is tough enough without making it tougher; so you young zealots need to chill a little, and count the EASY way. You give up nothing and you gain a GREAT deal in less mental fatigue, increased ability to keep the count accurately, and somewhat lower chance of detection.

as they are dealt, you better forget about a heads up game with a lightning fast dealer. She will be 3 rounds ahead of you when you realize you've lost the count.

Keep counting down those decks at home for accuracy first. Your speed will increase naturally over time.

BJC

P.S.: When you find a dealer giving good pen and 7 shoes an hour in headsup 6d (hand shuffled), then you'll know what your missing out on when you play in crowded conditions. Plus there's no time for boredom to set in.

Counting cards as they they fall doesn't mean that you count them one by one. Of course you have to cancel out and "overlook" neutral cards in order to keep up the speed. But in a fast headsup game you're constantly "at the ball". So you better have your count ready anytime. The famous quick glance after the deal usually lasts a few seconds und puts you too much under stress apart from being utterly suspicious.

Francis Salmon

just git 'er done!

Old Coot:
You have me rolling on the floor after a tough week. I met one green chipper whom I had been corresponding with who was in Vegas last week. It's funny how we imagine people to be before we meet them. I knew because of his status in the field and on these boards he was not a 21 year old, but figured him for around 30ish. Well, he was almost, but not quite, as old a coot as I am. Sorry M ;)

Cobbson