Myth 2. Expert Counting Requires A Photographic Memory
When novice players hear the term “counting cards,” they conjure up an image of a process that, computer-like, remembers the rank of every card played. From this information mathematical calculations must be quickly made, to determine the best plays to make at any given time. Although miniaturized computers can be used successfully to this end in casinos, they are expensive, difficult to use optimally at the pace of a normal blackjack game, often awkward to conceal, and last but hardly least presently deemed illegal. Fortunately, the modern-day counter needs no background in math and only a fair-to-middlin’ memory to achieve the desired advantages over any casino blackjack game.
Most professional counters keep just one or two numbers in mind and need to perform only the simplest of mental arithmetic to determine all of their playing decisions. Granted, a few tables need to be carefully memorized, but this can be done well in advance at the counter’s convenience. For example, if you can add 6+1 and divide by 3 to arrive at the correct rounded-off integer of 2, then you already have the ability to become an expert counter.
