Card counting questions

My first question I have is about converting RC to TC. I understand that the true count is the running count divided by the amount of decks left in the shoe, my question is , do you account for the cut card during this conversion? For example, in a 6 deck shoe with a running count of (+10) and you are 1 deck in. Would your true count be (+2) "this is how I've been doing it" or would there technically only be 4 decks remaining if they are cutting 1 deck off making the count (+2.5) ?.... My next question is for the experienced counters, I just want to know your most preferred method for practicing. Do you simply deal to yourself? How many hands do you deal ? I feel like I get a better experience having my girlfriend deal me 3 hands while counting and playing perfect basic strategy the whole time , then once we reach the cut card , we add up the rest to see if I was correct. This has worked quite well for me but she's not always wanting deal as much as I want to practice. Do you think playing with those blackjack apps is just as beneficial?

deleted

Ok that's what I thought , does one of your names happen to be Ian Anderson? Haha j/k

My experience was different than ibeatyouraces. I never dealt hands to myself. I would not consider myself casino-ready until I could accurately count down a deck 100% of the time in 20 seconds or less. In addition, I had flash cards for the matrices (hit/stand, double down, split, etc.). I had a self-imposed time limit for reviewing the flash cards with 100% accuracy.

Wow I like the flash card idea , I may have to use that, my biggest issue is speed , my first trial run at a casino I was taking too long to count and when I had a hard 17 in front of me I was trying to get the count while the dealer thought I was contemplating a hit or stand , then I realized I need to be more prepared if I want to succeed , because slow play with perfect strategy I'm sure is a red flag

deleted

Quote: jket25

Wow I like the flash card idea , I may have to use that, my biggest issue is speed , my first trial run at a casino I was taking too long to count and when I had a hard 17 in front of me I was trying to get the count while the dealer thought I was contemplating a hit or stand , then I realized I need to be more prepared if I want to succeed , because slow play with perfect strategy I'm sure is a red flag

Please don't take this as an insult; it is meant only to help.

Yout biggest issue is not speed; your biggest issue is that you don't understand the game. The fact that you have to ask whether you include the cards behind the cut card in your TC conversion means that you don't understand how or why card counting works. You are trying to just memorize the steps without understanding the reasons behind them. I don't think that it's likely that you'll be successful following that route. The "why" is just as important as the "what"; perhaps more important. There are no short cuts.

I would take a step back and learn a bit about the "why" before proceeding.

As for index numbers, you don't need to be too exact. You can round them and put them into buckets and you give up almost nothing. But you are really putting the cart before the horse here; I would not bother with index numbers until you can keep the count easily, and I would not bother with that until you learn a bit more about the game.

I have to ask: how is your basic strategy? Do you know it perfectly without having to think about it?

deleted

Thanks for the help , (definately not taken as an insult) I know it was a pretty stupid question, but I just wanted to be sure, I just finished "burning the tables in Vegas" and I didn't remember it being mentioned . As for my basic strategy play , yes, I have it down perfect and don't need to think about any plays. My counting ability is not where I'd like it to be yet , very fast dealers make are hard for me to keep up with occasionally. I play perfect basic strategy at $5-$10 min, do you feel that basic strategy deviations are necessary for long term play at such low minimums ? 5-50 bet spread

Quote: jket25

do you feel that basic strategy deviations are necessary for long term play at such low minimums ? 5-50 bet spread

The two most important deviations you can make are to take insurance appropriately and to sit out when the cards are bad.

Quote: jket25

do you feel that basic strategy deviations are necessary for long term play at such low minimums ? 5-50 bet spread

Betting efficiency is far more important than playing efficiency.

Quote: HughJass

Betting efficiency is far more important than playing efficiency.

Although this is true....learning and applying the illustrious 18 is not difficult. You should learn them.