Poker schmoker. Blackjack schmackjack. Hearts schmarts. Euchre schmucre. Those aren't different games, they're all the same game and the game is counting cards.
Kardball Schmardball
It's hard to increase your odds of winning above 1:2 if you don't keep track of which cards have been played, and which should have been but weren't. This is simply basic card gamesmanship.
If you can't pay attention to card counting, you might as well train a chimp to turn over a random card whenever you tap on a small, brightly-colored drum. (Wait ... what?)
Is It Illegal?
No, but keeping a card-playing chimp might be, in some states, without the proper permits. Even in casinos (schmasinos), experienced gamblers are expected to use some kind of mental technique to keep track of known and unknown cards in order to improve their game. Organized schemes involving multiple people, or outright cheating are of course grounds for expulsion (or a mob hit) ... but illegal? No.
What to Count
The most important cards to track are aces, twos, threes and fours, because they are involved in the majority of the thirty-seven plays of Kardball. After that, the prime numbers.
For example, if your outfield has three threes, and a batter bats a three against a Queen, you know there are no more threes on the table.
If you follow a batter who doubled with a two off an eight, you should assume the defense does not have a four. Maybe we should call this discounting?
And How
Lord knows you can't remember every card played, so try dividing up responsibilities. Let each teammate count just two card values, for example aces and Jacks, twos and fours, threes and Kings. At any point in your inning, take a reading (discreetly, of course) from your own side.
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