If you're diligent, you'll get to the point where you can play the Knock-Out system and almost never make an error on your kitchen table, that is. Playing in a casino is a different story, unlike any other experience you're likely to encounter. Casinos are full of distractions: bright lights, cocktail waitresses, drinks, clattering chips, other gamblers talking (or cheering), pit bosses, dealers, you name it.

When attempting to count cards for the first time in a casino environment, you're hound to make some mistakes. Even if you play perfectly while practicing at home, being under the gun in a casino is something else altogether. There's no substitute for experience, and you'll get better in real conditions as you go. But in the meantime, here are a few simple rules to follow that will help you through your first blackjack card-counting session:

1) Bet the table minimum until you're comfortable with your counting. That is, count cards and mentally note the correct plays, but bet the table minimum until you're confident of your abilities. It may take an hour or more to become accustomed to the surroundings.

2) If you lose the count during play, bet the table minimum until the next shuffle. Recall that you'll always start the count at the IRC after a shuffle.

3) If you're losing, don't start betting more money to "try to get it all back at once" (this might be a good time to reread Chapter 7 on the care that must be taken when betting).

Remember, a card counter bets more only when he has a mathematical advantage. However, it seems to be a part of human nature, when losing, to want to bet more money in an effort to recoup your losses as quickly as possible. This often leads to even greater losses. All card counters have both winning and losing sessions. Keep the bi,, picture in mind: In the long run, our advantage will bear out, and the long run is made up of countless sessions. Don't let short-run fluctuations get the best of you, whether monetarily or psychologically.