Note, shaded text like that in the previous pages indicates that I have veered off into a story. I will now stop using contractions and colloquialisms — until the next shady story.

Kierkegaard said, “Life can only be understood backwards; but it must be lived forwards.” Now that much time has passed, it is easy for me to see the mistakes of my youth.

In many ways, the most important part of learning how to win is learning how not to lose. I started with this trip report to illustrate the errors made by many beginning counters. Now I’m not saying all my mistakes are typical. I tend to act impulsively at times. However, many of my mistakes are extremely common among counters starting out and even many more experienced counters. Below is a list of my errors, which I will follow with additional explanation.

1.      Too strong at the start

2.      Wrong strategy/Wrong indexes

3.      Lack of practice

4.      Ignoring rules/penetration/decks

5.      Playing bad counts

6.      Playing exhausted

7.      No concept of risk/Incorrect expectations

8.      Poor record keeping   

9.      Admitting I was counting

10.  Desperate catch-up moves                 

11.  High expenses    

12.  Thinking my win meant something      

13.  No cover 

14.  No game plan/Betting strategy             

Explanations

Brief explanations of the above are found here to be expanded upon in later chapters.

 © 2009 Norman Wattenberger