Quote:
Originally Posted by Robertie
I don't recommend trying to keep a permanent running count. As soon as you get to a position that requires some serious thought, the count tends to drift away in your mind and you'll have to start over. Besides, there are long stretches of the game where you only need a general idea whether you're ahead or behind and by a little or a lot. It's definitely a very important skill to be able to count a position quickly and accurately, but I think you should only do it when you need to.
Thanks for the response. I played the LA Open [Advanced] this weekend online with Grid- the pipcount window was legal. Since I never acquired good counting skills and I rarely play for money, I found the cheat sheet made the game much more enjoyable- provoking more analysis not less- because the tediousness of counting was gone but the information was there to be factored.
If I get to Open Level and the Covid days ever end, I will again try to master counting. There is something to be said, though, for letting coaches radio the play to the QB from the sideline with help from an overhead viewer. The QB's mind is freed up to play better and smarter. Likewise, shooting a free throw is a valuable skill, rewarding the touch shooter willing to practice hundreds a day, but the game is better-served by rules that minimize the hack-a Shaq ploy.
My bet is that guys like Gregg Popovich and Bill Belichik have some gammon in their heads, or would learn it faster than the rest...