I apoligize to those who are multiple board readers as I posted this elsewhere a couple days ago but received very little feedback and am hoping for more here. After using hi-lo for several years, I switched to the RPC in the spring of 2007 hoping for a slight increase in profits that supposedly comes with a level 2 count. The results: I've won more money this year than any of my other years of play so far, but have also played more hours. Turns out my win rate is about the same (within a few cents)
My problem is that after 18 months and about 1800 hours I am still not able to count as quickly and effortlessly as with the hi-lo. I can count adequately watching each card as it hits the felt, but have never gotten back to the point that I can walk through the casino, glance at a table and pick up the count in a fraction of a second, which is the way I prefer to play at the table as well, rather than watching each card.
Since my win rate for the shoe games that I mostly play is almost idenicle, I am thinking of switching back to hi-lo, which for me seems to be less taxing. Would like to hear any thoughts on the subject or from anyone else that has taken a similar path. (backwards)