Originally Posted by
jerrywu
Believe or not, HK immigration officer would not process it when my friend completed his third visit to HK in a year. He said, "Yes 3 times, so next time you can apply." Got up, and he headed out for washroom .....

Maybe they count "3 times" as 3 in-and-out times.... so technically your friend is 2.5 times (in, and not out) and not 3 times....
I'm not saying this is it, just trying to read his mind....