My mileage varies considerably in numbers of dances I get through in an evening. The biggest factors are 1) number of beginners, 2) chattiness/inattention of dancers, 3) flexibility of band, 4) length of break. I have tried to pay attention to specific couples and track them in a dance, but ALWAYS get confused. Were they twos and now are ones? That just doesn't work for me. Nor does counting iterations of a dance, for the same reasons others have mentioned. I use a watch or clock and even then I forget what time they started. I mostly go by feel. I prepare 10-11 dances for a 2 1/2 hour dance (our regular dance), usually getting 9-10 done, and 12-13 for a 3 hour dance, usually doing at least 12. I have had to pull out more once in a while. I have an oddity coming up: a band for which I am calling has asked to take the lead on when to end the dances. I figure one evening of that can't hurt, if it keeps the band happy. I will take notes. The leader of this band has control issues and knows what's best for everyone. Generally I plan for 15 minutes from start to start of each dance and if I get in more, that's great. -Amy