may be one of the best counters ever

Yup title says it all.I may be one of the best counters of all time.Well that is as long as I sit in front of my computer but as soon as I walk into a casino my mind seems to become overloaded.The best I have done is 3 complete shoes
(6 deck) and still have the count. I have only been counting for about 6-8 months play 2-4/month and thought I would have it down by now. I use a very simple level one count,and got it down in practice but like I said in casino everything changes.I do pretty well until split hands and people coming and going or adding hands.Anyways just wondering how long should it take to get it in a live situation?I sure enjoy BJ and do fairly well just flat betting and I do have BS down good pat. Any thoughts or flames? BTW I am not a fast or slow learner more like half fast.

Welcome to the wonderful, frustrating and ultimately rewarding world of blackjack! Are you using a balanced or unbalanced count? Do you use the cancellation method and what seat position do you take at the table?

What software do you use? Some programs are better than others at preparing you for "casino speed" blackjack.

If it makes the OP feel better I practiced at home for literally years before trying to count in a real casino. I still lose the count occasionally, (hey what can I say some of the outfits that the lovely ladies wear are distracting). But you will get better with more real world practice. I'd say 3 shoes in a row without losing the count is pretty good for a novice counter so keep at it.

Depending upon the conditions specific to the table you are at, certain situations are not conducive to the concentration required for certain counting systems. I have 4 count systems, that I can fall back on, before I resort to BS only.

Its known as "the buzz". It is what separates you from the skills that you have in your basement recreation room but will utterly lack in a real casino.

The Buzz is the music, the frenetic energy, the alcohol, the bells, the whistles, the beautiful women, the conversation from the dealer and floorman, the conversational overtures of other players and the cocktail waitresses, etc.

Its hard to overcome the buzz. Casinos know that. The buzz is profitable to them for a variety of reasons.

Things are quieter in the high limit area, but eyes tend to be watchful there too.

Quote: 1BB

Welcome to the wonderful, frustrating and ultimately rewarding world of blackjack! Are you using a balanced or unbalanced count? Do you use the cancellation method and what seat position do you take at the table?

I am using the red 7 or the OPP count both unbalanced. The OPP count ( from Arnold Snyders site) is easier for me to keep,as you only count the small cards but then subtract the number of hands,hence the problem of split hands and someone playing 2 or 3 hands. Not sure what the cancellation method is. As far as seat position goes I have not thought about it and just take one that is open. Would 1st or 3rd be better?

Quote: Llew

What software do you use? Some programs are better than others at preparing you for "casino speed" blackjack.

The game I use I found at blackjackinfo.com but it only plays heads up but helped me alot with BS.Others I have tried are not very fast. I am at the point of considering buying the blackjack Verite(sp?) and was wondering if it was worth the price. I normally play earlier in the day/evening when things are not to crazy.

Quote: mycran

The game I use I found at blackjackinfo.com but it only plays heads up but helped me alot with BS.Others I have tried are not very fast. I am at the point of considering buying the blackjack Verite(sp?) and was wondering if it was worth the price. I normally play earlier in the day/evening when things are not to crazy.

I have not yet personally purchased any of Norm's software (Casino Verite BJ aka CVBJ is one of Norm's products) but as far as I can tell they are the best in the business. Soon I'll probably be getting his simulation software...I don't feel like I would benefit from the practice software personally but I think it's probs pretty good.

Back when I first learned to count I found it easiest to sit at first base. I would count my own cards first, then my additional cards as I hit. After my hand was over, then I could concentrate on everyone elses cards as the hands were played. Keep in mind that this is only beneficial for a face up game. Face down games take a little more practice. I remember my first trip to Vegas when I was first exposed to a face down game. The worst thing was when the dealer got a blackjack, everyone tossed their cards over, and the dealer quickly scooped them up and I thought what the hell just happened? Personally,I played in a casino environment at low stakes for about 50 hours before I felt comfortable betting higher.

Quote: mycran

. Not sure what the cancellation method is.

If you don't count by using the cancellation method, then this is going to be a eurika moment! This is where cards or groups of cards cancel each other out so you don' t really have to count them. For example you would count a 5, 10 as zero instead of plus 1, minus 1. If one hand is 4,5 and the next hand is 10, 10, then you count all four cards together as zero, etc, etc.

Quote: mycran

I am using the red 7 or the OPP count both unbalanced. The OPP count ( from Arnold Snyders site) is easier for me to keep,as you only count the small cards but then subtract the number of hands,hence the problem of split hands and someone playing 2 or 3 hands. Not sure what the cancellation method is. As far as seat position goes I have not thought about it and just take one that is open. Would 1st or 3rd be better?

Do yourself a favor and forget the OPP count. It and it's twin the Speed Count are just too weak. Red 7 is fine but if you don't like counting only two of the sevens take a look at KO. They perform the same.

Since you are new to counting keep your options open and take a look at Hi-Lo to familiarize yourself with a balanced count. Do you own any of Arnold's books? While I don't recommend the OPP count I will say that the Zen counts, balanced or unbalanced, are everything you'll ever need. This is a long way down the road for you and should not be attempted until you can do the other counts in your sleep and are proficient at every other aspect of counting.

Seat position in shoe games will not increase your win rate as it may in pitch games but some find that sitting at or near third base gives them a little more time to count and make playing decisions.