a method of operating a multi - queue device , including : storing a plurality of read count pointers , wherein each of the read count pointers is associated with a corresponding queue of the multi - queue device , providing a read count pointer associated with a present queue to read flag logic , adjusting the read count pointer associated with the present queue in response to each read operation performed by the present queue , indicating a read queue switch from the present queue to a next queue , retrieving a read count pointer associated with the next queue ; and then simultaneously providing the read count pointer associated with the present queue and the read count pointer associated with the next queue to the read flag logic .