1-3 people is generally what I am dealing with. Full table naturally makes it more difficult. When I first made the comment (which I had no idea would turn out this controversial, because it is not a new technique), I said "that I try to track multiple tables when I can". That is just another thing that Alan chose to overlook. I also clearly stated that there is one seat at each table (seat 4 at a table to your right and seat 2 at a table to the left that has the potential to block your view of cards. Often if someone is in those seats, I don't both even attempting, although occasionally, just a small shift, still allows a clear sightline. Again, Alan chose to ignore that.
I also clearly said I don't bother with a table that is almost full, because I don't want to go to the trouble of tracking a second table only to have someone jump into the last open seat just as the table becomes ripe. Luckily those critical seats (2 and 4) are generally the least popular seats. Many people have a preference of third base or first base, including card counters for a whole list of reasons. And people that don't have a preference, usually just pick the middle. Seats 2 and 4 are usually the last to fill in.
I am curious about your comment that "most shoes don't go positive". I have never heard that, nor can figure why that would be the case?If you are saying most shoes don't go significantly positive...yes, I get that. But just positive...as in a running count of +1, that should occur about 50%, no?