cyph
Trusted Member
COUNTING DEVICES
Various devices have surfaced to enhance the players ability to count cards, and they have been around for some time.
Props
In the simplest form we find watches and tings that are rotated to indicate the number of ten-values or high cards. Matchbooks, cigarettes, cigarette boxes, and ashtrays can be picked up, rotated, or positioned to indicate different types of information. One player used three cufflink-style buttons on his shirt, and they were rotated to keep different side counts. Almost any conceivable prop could be used to aid the card counting process.
Checks are a favorite prop. They can be stacked, positioned, rotated, mixed with other denominations, heeled, held in different positions, and so on. For an early system used in single-deck, the player would buy in for two stacks, forty checks. One stack was for counting, the other for betting. The counting stack was broken into two piles, 16 and 4, to represent the sixteen ten-valued cards and four aces. As each ten-value or ace was played, a check was removed from the appropriate stack and placed onto the betting stack. At any time, the player could glance at his checks and know exacdy how many ten-values and aces were remaining.
The ultimate prop is ones body, starting with the hands, fingers, and feet. Many players have learned to side count different parameters on their hands and feet. One can also sit at different angles, cross the arms, flex certain muscles, and such. Most gamers would be surprised at just how much thought and energy has gone into this kind of counting. When one uses his body as amounting device, in addition to his mind, human capability can improve and the entire process can reach some very sophisticated levels.
Mechanical Devices
The use of the term mechanical implies a device with a mechanism, moving part, or something that is operated. In this regard, jewelry has been modified for the purpose of counting cards, like rotating faces and knobs that have been added to ordinary wristwatches. One device, confiscated in Canada, looked like an ordinary wristwatch, but with three faces. Each face had two switches, and the player was mechanically counting ten-values, aces, and the rounds played.
Occasionally, a dedicated, homemade device surfaces. One piece in my collection consists of a 3" metal wheel with a clicker to count ten-values. It could be read by sight by peeking into a pocket or under the table, or felt through the pocket (Fig. I).
Another device^ confiscated in Reno, consisted of a small circular mechanism only 1V£" in diameter, and it could easily be hidden in the palm of the hand during play. Operated with the thumbnail by rotating
Various devices have surfaced to enhance the players ability to count cards, and they have been around for some time.
Props
In the simplest form we find watches and tings that are rotated to indicate the number of ten-values or high cards. Matchbooks, cigarettes, cigarette boxes, and ashtrays can be picked up, rotated, or positioned to indicate different types of information. One player used three cufflink-style buttons on his shirt, and they were rotated to keep different side counts. Almost any conceivable prop could be used to aid the card counting process.
Checks are a favorite prop. They can be stacked, positioned, rotated, mixed with other denominations, heeled, held in different positions, and so on. For an early system used in single-deck, the player would buy in for two stacks, forty checks. One stack was for counting, the other for betting. The counting stack was broken into two piles, 16 and 4, to represent the sixteen ten-valued cards and four aces. As each ten-value or ace was played, a check was removed from the appropriate stack and placed onto the betting stack. At any time, the player could glance at his checks and know exacdy how many ten-values and aces were remaining.
The ultimate prop is ones body, starting with the hands, fingers, and feet. Many players have learned to side count different parameters on their hands and feet. One can also sit at different angles, cross the arms, flex certain muscles, and such. Most gamers would be surprised at just how much thought and energy has gone into this kind of counting. When one uses his body as amounting device, in addition to his mind, human capability can improve and the entire process can reach some very sophisticated levels.
Mechanical Devices
The use of the term mechanical implies a device with a mechanism, moving part, or something that is operated. In this regard, jewelry has been modified for the purpose of counting cards, like rotating faces and knobs that have been added to ordinary wristwatches. One device, confiscated in Canada, looked like an ordinary wristwatch, but with three faces. Each face had two switches, and the player was mechanically counting ten-values, aces, and the rounds played.
Occasionally, a dedicated, homemade device surfaces. One piece in my collection consists of a 3" metal wheel with a clicker to count ten-values. It could be read by sight by peeking into a pocket or under the table, or felt through the pocket (Fig. I).
Another device^ confiscated in Reno, consisted of a small circular mechanism only 1V£" in diameter, and it could easily be hidden in the palm of the hand during play. Operated with the thumbnail by rotating
