That sounds about right. A buddy and I were kicked out of a casino for 21 card counting back in the 80’s. Thorpe was our guiding star, along with Ken Uston. We were only mildly concerned about being beaten up. The pit boss called over two guys who barely fit into their three piece suits to escort us out.
We hadn’t won all that much money but the obvious “tell” of a card counter going for maximum edge is how we vary our bets frequently. I think what pushed them over the edge was a relatively lucky string of calling too many insurance bets correctly.
We’d have loved to have used a “George,” one of the names for assistant electronics, but we had a much simpler system that still worked. I would play while my buddy stood, counted cards (3 level +/- with a side count of aces and fives), and signaled me with finger pressure on my back. Our signaling was undetectable. A friend standing nearby holding the back of your chair is common and his fingers themselves were hidden by my back and the chair. Our technique let me drink quite a bit and banter with the dealer and/or pit boss, allying much of their suspicion.
