One useful drill to help you keep a true count in single-deck games is to practice dividing your running count by fractions (one quarter, one half, three quarters and so on). The following table can be used as a tool to memorize the results from each calculation. In case your running count is negative, you should simply put a negative sign to the true count.
| Running Count | Fraction of Deck Remaining in Play | True Count |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | three quarters | 1.3 |
| 1 | one half | 2 |
| 1 | one quarter | 4 |
| 2 | three quarters | 2.6 |
| 2 | one half | 4 |
| 2 | one quarter | 8 |
| 3 | three quarters | 4 |
| 3 | one half | 6 |
| 3 | one quarter | 12 |
| 4 | three quarters | 5.3 |
| 4 | one half | 8 |
| 4 | one quarter | 16 |
| 5 | three quarters | 6.6 |
| 5 | one half | 10 |
| 5 | one quarter | 20 |
In order to learn how to estimate a quarter deck in a single-deck play, you should divide the card deck by quarters and familiarize yourself with what a quarter-deck stack, a half-deck stack and a three-quarter-deck stack look like by sight. In order to get the picture of what each level looks like, you may simply tape the differently sized stacks together and place them side by side.
In multi-deck games
If you are willing to determine the number of cards in multi-deck games, then a few decks of cards should be used. By putting to use half decks, you may come up with an entire-deck stack, a one-and-a-half-deck stack, a two-deck stack and you name it, until you have six or eight decks. You may place them at a spot where you will be able to look at them each time you walk by. However, to make a number of stacks from several decks may require a lot of decks (30-40, depending on how far you are willing to go with stack making). So, you may either purchase a good number of decks, or simply use construction paper (or cardboard) to make your own flashcards.
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At a casino, a deck of cards is usually 5/8 of an inch thick and 2 1/2 inches wide, while half a deck is 5/16 of an inch thick, respectively. You may use these measurements to cut out different sizes of stacks from construction paper or cardboard. Next, you may paste the different-sized cutouts onto index cards or pieces of construction paper, while the latter need to be of a different color compared to that of the cutouts. Last but not least, you should not forget to mark the size of the deck on the back of the card. All that remains is to practice estimating the size of the stack, as you move through the flashcards, and see if you are correct by checking the back side.
Time to test your skills
Now that you are aware of the drills, you may feel anxious to put your skills to the test at a casino. However, you may probably be in for a surprise when you walk through the casino door. Many blackjack players will probably admit how they felt when trying to count at the casino for the first time. They may have been quite knowledgeable of basic play strategies and may have had some experience in casino games before they attempted to count cards. Even though they may have been through all these drills we discussed, in fact, they probably felt uneasy during their first card counting effort in real play. As they were probably afraid of being discovered by the dealer or the pit boss, they had the feeling they lost their confidence. Having been engaged in a multi-deck game at a crowded table, they probably lost their count after a few hands played. Because of the variety of distractions, they probably failed to pick that count back up. After a few failed counting attempts during their first play session, they probably left the casino disappointed and unsure of themselves. They probably doubted whether they would ever be able to count cards with a success.
Running Count Keeping Hints
Learning to Keep a True Count
True Count Drills
Fab Four Basic Strategy Variation
The Illustrious 18
What is important to note is that seasoned and truly successful card counters never consider giving up as an option! As musicians often say, they keep returning to the woodshed to practice, until they achieve a successful count. As a card counter, you should be tenacious and unburdened by fears and prejudices.
To have knowledge of basic play strategies and of how to count cards is not enough to achieve success in card counting. These are just the basic requirements, which will leave you only at the doorstep of the house of card counting. The key to success is to be able to keep the count of the cards you played and, at the same time, to be able to determine the appropriate play for the card total, while talking to other players and the dealer. And what is not to be ignored, you should be aware and use the appropriate bet size for your bankroll and for the game you participate in. All this needs to be done in a way, which allows you not to draw any undesired attention. You should also keep in mind the body language of the casino pit boss and should be able to recognize when he/she may be on to you. There is a key distinction you must be aware of – the case when casino personnel is paying normal attention and the case when it is mounting pressure in order to intimidate card counters.
