Actually Practice Counting Actual Cards

Introduction

Lots of people read a book or two, or take a class, practice a bit, and then hit the casino. I’ve seen dozens of these people in my time as a pro, and they make tons of mistakes. They don’t play their hands correctly, they jump their bets at the wrong times, or they buy into goofy ideas like needing to make “cover plays”

Most people trying to count cards are not ready. Why? Two reasons:

1. No one told them how to practice
2. No one told them how much to practice

Be Realistic

Amateurs practice until they get it right. Professionals practice until they can’t get it wrong. It’s imperative that whatever training method you use be realistic, or you can never achieve skill mastery.

Simplified skill drills have their value. Anyone who played basketball knows you practice foul shots to learn how to shoot. You practice shuffling side-to-side to learn good footwork. But, if you only practiced these drills, and never practiced actually playing basketball, would you be able to master the game?

Similarly, counting down decks in your kitchen has some value. Playing basic strategy on a strategy trainer like Hit Or Split will make you much better, and faster at playing basic strategy. Being able to count decks and play basic strategy quickly are good foundational drills, but if you never actually practice in a simulation of a casino, how will know you’re ready?

Realistic Simulations Are The Best Test

If you want to know whether you are ready to play in a casino, counting down decks is not a good test. Playing basic strategy on a computer is not a good test either. At a minimum, you should be dealing actual decks of cards to yourself and playing basic strategy at your kitchen table. Deal fast, play accurately, and see if you can pull it off.

But really, the best method is to really try to simulate a casino environment. Have someone else deal with however many decks the casino uses. Use chips. Play your hands with hand signals. Make the bets you would make in a casino. See if you can pull it off. If you can, you’re probably ready to go to a casino (and then promptly realize you need to practice more!)

Teams

Team managers, pay attention! Your tests should absolutely not involve simply counting down decks, or basic strategy tests. They should be realistic, casino-like drills. And run the simulation for several hours, because mental fortitude is a major part of being a successful counter.

Your tests should be harder than the minimum level of skill you require in operations. This is because your players will not rise to the occasion, they will default to the minim level of skill they have mastered. If your tolerance is 2 counting mistakes a shoe, then test for 0 mistakes in ten shoes, with a fast dealer and loud music playing.

Cash Cow: I know that you must be a practice Nazi from personal experience. I generally drill until I can get to something like no mistakes in 10 shoes, and I still make mistakes every once in awhile. And I don’t get phased easily; I’ve been at this for years.

What do you think will happen to a green counter when their heart rate is around 130 and they’re starting to get tunnel vision? Why do you think military commanders place so much value on units with combat experience?