T&A: Tens And Aces. An AP Blackjack podcast. Turning the tables from Las Vegas to Local Casinos

APs discuss backoffs and heat they've encountered at casinos with host Mike AP.

Episode Summary

In this episode of the Tens and Aces Podcast, host Mike AP sits down with young advantage player Spy AP to discuss his journey from a 15-year-old inspired by the movie "21" to a profitable, professional card counter. Spy shares his origin story playing in Washington state casinos, the intense practice required to master basic strategy and deck estimation, and the realities of early wins and losses. They dive deep into managing casino heat, the unique challenges of being a young AP with a "baby face," and essential cover plays to avoid backoffs and ID checks.

Spy also reveals the process of forming a blackjack team, getting officially "tested out" by Loudon Often, and the lucrative lessons learned during a three-week trip to San Diego and Las Vegas. Finally, stick around for our new listener voicemail segment, featuring a wild story about a degenerate gambler friend, a misplayed pair of twos, and the chaos that followed at the blackjack table.

Intro & Community Announcements

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Welcome to the Tens and Aces Podcast.

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Join the conversation and episode threads on our Reddit community: r/TApodcast.

Spy AP’s Origin Story

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Discovering card counting at age 15 through the movie "21".

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Hitting Washington state casinos at 18, losing his first bankroll, and deciding to beat the game.

Mastering the Craft of Card Counting

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How Blackjack Apprenticeship (BJA) and Steven Bridges' YouTube vlogs fueled Spy’s training.

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The hours spent mastering counting down a deck and perfecting basic strategy using the BJA mobile app.

The First Big Win & Bankroll Building

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Returning to the tables with a $1,000 bankroll and walking away with an early $500 win at a double-deck game in Lakewood.

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The illusion of easy money and the harsh reality of variance.

Casino Heat, ID Checks, & Cover Play

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The challenges of being a young card counter who constantly gets carded.

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Spy's top cover plays for looking more mature: wearing a suit, nice watches, and bringing a date to the casino.

Aggressive Backoffs & Casino Paranoia

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A crazy story involving a confiscated player’s card and real police in a Southern California casino.

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A discussion on why casinos waste money sweating low-stakes counters and altering game rules to their own detriment.

Surviving the Casino Environment

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The gloomy reality of casino culture.

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Why APs must unplug, step into nature, and reset their dopamine to maintain a sharp game and avoid becoming "robotic."

Advantage Play Beyond Blackjack

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Why you should never just beeline for the blackjack tables.

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Scouting for other EV (Expected Value) opportunities, including casino promotions, "match play" coupons, and advantage slots.

Forming a Blackjack Team

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Bouncing back from early bankroll depletion by networking on Reddit.

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Forming a three-man team, pooling resources, and passing a rigorous checkout with Loudon Often.

The San Diego & Vegas Trip

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Expectations vs. reality on a major team trip.

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Dealing with sweaty casinos in San Diego and grinding out $15,000 in EV over three weeks.

New Segment: Listener Voicemail

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A listener shares a hilarious and frustrating table story about a degenerate gambler friend.

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What happens when a ploppy refuses to split a pair of 2s against a dealer 4, ending in a heated confrontation and a dropped slur at the table.

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Mike AP’s thoughts on how bad players can inadvertently provide great cover for card counters.

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⁠Blackjack Apprenticeship⁠

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Reddit Community: r/TApodcast

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Steven Bridges (YouTube)

NOTE: Originally Episode 93 and interview conducted in 2024

T&A PODCAST - Part 2: Steve & Kal Thor Interview

This episode covers dealer mistakes, hole card plays, side bets, backing off strategies, and wild casino stories from experienced advantage players.

KEY TOPICSDealer Tells & Mistakes

• Downtown Vegas dealer who'd ask "are you sure?" revealing no made hand
• Post-COVID rusty dealers making obvious peeking errors
• Lucky Stiff side bet dealer paying unqualified hands (cost casino $3-4K)
• New casinos = inexperienced dealers = more mistakes

Side Bets

• Lucky Ladies +EV at +6.5 true count (Hi-Lo)
• 1000:1 payout for suited queens w/ dealer blackjack
• TIP: Cash out immediately after big wins to avoid surveillance review

Backing Off

• Be unmemorable - don't argue, just leave
• Story: Flat-bet to $25 while "ploppy" betting $1000 allowed to continue
• Dealer's response: "We let you bet $1000 - what does that say about your play?"

Protecting Your Identity

• Slot hand-pay tip: Refuse consent for automatic player's card
• Script: "I do not consent to giving my information for creating a player's card"
• Only legally required to show ID to police, not security

Rated vs Unrated Debate

• Some casinos require cards for premium games
• Hard Rock: unrated players limited to 1 hand, 4x table min
• Weigh short-term comps vs. long-term access

KEY TAKEAWAYS

• Look beyond blackjack tables for opportunities
• Scout new casinos and new table games
• Side bets = high variance despite +EV
• Network with other APs for intel
• Protect identity strategically

CONTACT & RESOURCES

Email: tensandaces21@gmail.com
Reddit: r/tapodcast
Use code T21 at Blackjack Apprenticeship

SUPPORT THE SHOW

Subscribe for $4.99/month: Video episodes, ad-free audio, 3-day early access
Main podcast always 100% FREE!

LINK TO SUBSCRIBE

#Blackjack #AdvantagePlay #CardCounting #Casino #Gambling

This is an almost 4 minute preview clip of our upcoming episode with AP playing partners Steve and Chris.

In this episode of our experiment in imaginary radio, something that we like to call The Tens and Aces Podcast, we submit part two of our recent conversation with advantage player "Nickels" and discuss Blackjack, advantage play and so much more. If this is the type of thing you'd like to hear, listen up, because we're about to give you some T&A!

EPISODE 127 DESCIPTION

Mike AP is back in the studio for part two of three of an interview with former guests, Chris and Steve for a deep, hilarious, and occasionally brutal look at what it actually takes to survive the long-term grind of Advantage Play. This isn't your "get rich quick" fluff; this is the reality of life behind the curtain.

The guys kick things off with some legendary surveillance stories from Steve being spotted in a binder full of "known associates" in a certain infamous casino database to pit bosses who couldn't find a counter if they were told that counter was "wearing a green shirt in pit 3" but still manage to sweat the Ploppies while ignoring the real threat at the table. amping other things, we break down the paranoia of modern shops and why casinos often do more damage to their own bottom line than an AP ever could.

SHOW NOTES

SLOT STORIES

Why a $50 slot spin can feel more gut-wrenching than a $5,000 max bet on the felt.

THE JUXTAPOSITION OF AN AP'S MINDSET

Why do we sweat using two McDonald’s apps to save $3 while betting thousands on a single hand without blinking?

THE PASSPORT SAGA

Steve recounts a wild multi-trip disaster involving backoffs, CTRs, and the humbling moment of having to call a hostile security chief to beg for his passport back.

THE CRAFT OF THE COUNT

Why blackjack is a trade, just like blacksmithing or carpentry is. If you aren't constantly brushing up on and reviewing your own game, you’re just a gambler in denial.

THE TOOLKIT

Why you need to buy CVCX. Plus discussion on the limitations of software, and why "good enough" math is a recipe for a bankroll funeral.

CLOSING THE COUNT

We wrap up with a dive into obscure deviations, the humility of biannual testing, and the pure, degenerate joy of making a play so bizarre the pit thinks you're a moron right before your AP play helps you take their money.

BONUS MUSIC 🎵

Stick around until the end for a full album of Mike AP’s original music.

Keywords: Card Counting, Blackjack Strategy, Casino, Advantage Play, Casino Surveillance, CVCX, Bankroll Management, AP Community, Blackjack Deviations.

In this episode of our attempt at imaginary radio, we present an interview with former guest and friend of the show, Chris. He's a full-time professional Blackjack Player and Advantage Player.

#Blackjack

#Card Counting

#Advantage Play

#Gambling

#Casinos

In this installment of our attempt at imaginary radio, something that we like to call The Tens and Aces Podcast, host Mike AP sits down with returning guest Chris and his playing partner “Bad Steve” for one of the most candid, technical, and brutally honest AP conversations ever recorded on Tens & Aces.

Steve walks through his origin story — from growing up with nothing, to learning basic strategy in college, to joining early teams that paid him certainty‑equivalent hourly rates while he played underage. He explains how he built a bankroll, got backed off everywhere, attended a blackjack science seminar, learned EV and risk‑of‑ruin math from a legendary AP mentor, and eventually moved into advanced plays like hole‑carding, next‑card knowledge, and exploiting dealer procedures.

The three dig into the psychology of casinos, why APs are a rounding error yet still hunted, and how ego, pride, and incompetence shape surveillance decisions. They share stories of disguises, misdirection, obscure deviations, misdeal opportunities, shuffle‑tracking, and the soft‑skills that separate elite APs from basic counters.

Networking, trust, and the emotional toll of variance take center stage as Steve describes losing huge sums while still having a massive edge — and why most new APs underestimate the psychological cost. The crew breaks down bankroll swings, team dynamics, bad intel, and the importance of character when trusting someone with tens of thousands in chips.

This episode closes with reflections on how AP thinking transfers to business, why some brilliant people choose crime over legitimate opportunity, and a reminder that more of this marathon interview is coming soon.

In Part 1 of this multi‑episode interview, Mike AP sits down with professional advantage players Chris and “Bad Steve” to explore the real world of blackjack AP — from card counting and hole‑carding to shuffle‑tracking, misdeal exploitation, and advanced casino‑beating techniques.

Topics include:

• Steve’s AP origin story and early team play

• Building a bankroll and surviving backoffs

• Hole‑carding, next‑card knowledge, and obscure deviations

• Casino psychology, surveillance mistakes, and ego‑driven decisions

• Networking, trust, and the dark side of AP misinformation

• Bankroll swings, variance, and the emotional cost of professional play

• How AP skills translate to business and real‑world opportunity

If you’re serious about blackjack, AP networking, or understanding the mindset behind long‑term advantage play, this episode is essential listening — and just the beginning of a much deeper conversation. Now, are you ready for some T&A?

Contact information for Networking

Chris & Steve: Blackalaskandiamond@hotmail.com

This is one of our favorite episodes that we've done in the fairly recent past. We're currently going though episodes and re-editing them. Throughout this summer, we'll be posting updated versions of legacy episodes as well as mixing in some new content as well.

This one touches on aspects of AP besides blackjack play. We've gotten some great feedback regarding this episode, so if you haven't yet heard it, here you go. If you have, maybe listen again?

Special Thanks to all of you paid subscribers!

Episode 113: Down with the Clowns of the Illuminati! In this episode of our attempt at imaginary radio, we present the Tend and Aces Blackjack Podcast. Here, we talk to an AP named, "Sam." Sam isn't like most of our interview guests as he's not a Blackjack AP, but rather an AP who does slots and "other things" besides Blackjack. So, if this is the kind of thing you'd like to hear, listen up, because we're about to give you some T&A!

In this transmission of our attempt at imaginary radio, we bring you part two of the mailbag episode with BJA Pro, Nickels as he and I try an tackle more questions that were sent in from the listeners.

NOTE:

Some of this was originally recorded and published in 2021 as Episode 15 of the Podcast. Updated in July 2026. We added some things here and there as well. Our apologies for the poor audio quality as it was recorded via Skype and before we had a clue about audio production! We fixed it the best we could, and it absolutely sounds better, we think. But, audio aside- there is still some entertaining and useful AP content here! We'll see you down the felt!

- Mike AP

In this transmission of our attempt at imaginary radio, we bring you part two of the mailbag episode with BJA Pro, Nickels as he and I try an tackle more questions that were sent in from the listeners.

NOTE:

Originally recorded and published in 2021 as Episode 15 of the Podcast. Updated in July 2026. Our apologies for the poor audio quality as it was recorded via Skype and before we had a clue about audio production! But, audio aside- there is still some entertaining and useful AP content here! We'll see you down the felt!

SHOW NOTES

In Episode 137, Mike AP sits down with A1 Blackjack—former math teacher, blackjack instructor, content creator, and advantage player. A1 shares how a simple curiosity about card counting evolved into a full-time career teaching blackjack, creating content, and exploring other forms of advantage play.

The conversation covers his journey from practicing deck counts in his basement to building one of the largest blackjack-focused social media audiences online. A1 discusses working with Blackjack Apprenticeship, developing training tools and flashcards, and why perfection - not just proficiency - is critical for aspiring card counters.

The discussion also dives into the world of slot advantage play, how experienced APs identify profitable opportunities, and why many successful APs diversify beyond blackjack. Along the way, A1 shares stories about networking with well-known APs, getting backed off casinos, content creation, sponsorships, and the realities of making a living in the AP world.

TOPICS COVERED

• A1's AP origin story and discovering card counting• Learning blackjack through BJA content and self-study• Building deck-counting and deck-estimation skills• Creating blackjack training videos and social media content• Growing a large YouTube and Instagram audience

• Developing blackjack flashcards and educational tools• Working with Blackjack Apprenticeship

• Transitioning from teaching math to full-time AP content creation• Introduction to slot advantage play• Casino comps, RTP, and profitable machine opportunities

• Stories of casino back-offs and heat• Networking with Spartan, Math Prof, and other APs

• Why perfection matters in blackjack• Advice for new advantage players

KEY TAKEAWAYS:

• Card counting is simple in theory but difficult to execute perfectly in live casino conditions

.• Successful APs often expand beyond blackjack into other advantage opportunities.

.• Networking with experienced players can dramatically accelerate your learning curve.

• The best APs focus on eliminating mistakes and continually improving their game.

• Advantage play can create opportunities far beyond the casino floor, including education, content creation, and community building.

SPECIAL OFFER FOR OUR LISTENERS:

A1 is offering podcast listeners 50% off their first month on his Patreon.

https://www.patreon.com/cw/A1Blackjack

Use coupon code: TA21

Patreon members get access to blackjack training resources, downloadable flashcards, bankroll challenge content, and information on additional advantage play opportunities.

The Blackjack Roundtable is a new Subreddit on Reddit. It's a free, inclusive community for beginners and experienced players alike. It's a place to network and share stories and ideas about Blackjack and other AP and non-AP play.

You can find us on Reddit at:

https://www.reddit.com/r/blackjackroundtable/

In this episode, the now-infamous Snowman joins the show as he and I dive into the mailbag and answer your questions.

What you're hearing is a significantly improved version of the original recording from November 2020, back when we were recording over Skype and doing our best to stay sane during pandemic lockdowns. If we're being honest, this entire AP Podcast project started out of pure boredom. There wasn't much to do, but I had a bunch of friends with great stories, so we started sharing them. Somehow, that little lockdown experiment grew into what Tens & Aces is today.

The original audio quality of this episode made me cringe a bit when I revisited it in 2026, so I dusted off some of the ninja-level audio editing skills I've picked up over the years and cleaned it up as best I could. The sound is better now, but the real reason I wanted to bring this one back is because the content remains one of my favorite episodes we've ever done.

So why not give it a listen?

Thank you for all of your support over the years. We couldn't have done this without you, and we're just getting started. Here's to many more years ahead!

I'm also using this episode as a test of our new podcast feed after some jackass decided to attempt to get the show's feed taken down because he wasn't a fan of certain truths being discussed. We stand by the truth with our integrity 100% intact. He remains standing in his web of lies and toxicity. He's shown his true self to this community with his continued actions. But, like we've said in the past, the best way to get rid of a troll is to ignore the. So, let's get back to doing exactly that! We'll leave it at that!

Anyway... here we go...

What happens when five advantage players with completely different backgrounds sit down to talk shop? In this episode of the Tens and Aces Podcast, host Mike AP is joined by Xipo, Loki, LimaTime, and Skeleton to sit down and discuss the reality of life on the felt, along with other AP endovors. From Martingale mishaps and the legality of using another person’s player’s card to the psychological warfare of "hiding in plain sight," this episode covers the full spectrum of the journey. The group dives into creating cover personas, leveraging online resources and tools, such as the Blackjack Apprenticeship (BJA) community to battle loneliness, the hidden value of AP on cruise ships, and why the house kicking you out is the ultimate proof of concept.

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The "Smart Gambler" Cover: LimaTime explains how his professional background helps him blend in. By playing up the "successful guy with too much money" stereotype, he avoids the "young counter" profile that attracts pit boss scrutiny.
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Player's Cards & Legality: The panel tackles a sensitive topic: Is it fraud to use someone else's player's card? A discussion on breaking "casino rules" vs. breaking the law, the syndicates trying to "bust out" promotions, and why most casinos usually just cancel your comps.
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The Loneliness of the Road: Why networking via the Blackjack Apprenticeship app, Discord, Reddit and other online communities is vital for modern players to stay mentally on top of their games and battle the loneliness that often accompanies AP play, as compared to the isolation players faced 20+ years ago before before social media and the proliferation of supportive on-line communities.
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Family Misconceptions: Dealing with family who don't understand the math. The guys discuss explaining swingy sessions, the difference between losing and "bad counting," and the reality that you can't pay a phone bill with Expected Value (EV).
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Casino Logic (or Lack Thereof): Stories of casinos backing off losing players or "ploppies" simply because they were uncomfortable with the action, proving that the house isn't always as sharp as they think.
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AP on the High Seas: Loki and Xipo discuss the opportunities and limitations of AP on cruise ships. They cover the reality of the games, leveraging "conditional promotions" to pay for family trips, and why keeping these plays under "lock and key" is essential for longevity.
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War Stories & Game Protection: A look at how License Plate Readers (LPR) can get your grandmother banned, the rare beauty of spotting a hole carding opportunity, and the legendary "they got us" back-off prank.

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BY BECOMING A PAID SUBSCRIBER

FOR THE PRICE OF ONE CUP OF COFFEE

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Key Terms in This Episode:#CardCounting #Blackjack #AdvantagePlay #CasinoComps #CoverPersona #APLife #TensAndAces #BlackjackApprenticeship #BJA #ExpectedValue #CruiseShipAP #CasinoSurveillance #MikeAP

If you enjoyed this round table of advantage players, make sure to subscribe so you can have Part 2 of this conversation sent automatically to your feed when it's released.

Resources Mentioned:

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Blackjack Apprenticeship (BJA): Training, community, and player networking.
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Tens and Aces Podcast: Real stories from real advantage players.

Note: We fixed a few technical issues with the original version. Sorry for any inconvenience this may have caused!

Episode Summary

In part two of this roundtable episode, Mike and guests dive deep into the practical and philosophical side of advantage play, starting with casino ID checks, heat, and longevity strategies. They swap stories about random ID requests, navigating casino policies, using alternative IDs, and how rated play and comps can sometimes buy a longer leash. The conversation shifts into travel EV—road trip logistics, using comps strategically, living out of your car, rental car hacks, free rooms, and balancing bankroll preservation with comfort.

From there, the group gets into rat-holing, chip palming, cover plays, and the blurry line between practical camouflage and outright theatrics. That sparks a wider discussion on disguises, personas, social engineering, and where each player draws the ethical line. Along the way are great stories about exploitable casino promotions, clueless casino management, side bet opportunities, and the joy of finding casinos stepping over dollars to pick up pennies.

The second half explores the double-edged sword of information sharing. The crew debates YouTube and Social Media content, and that leads into a thoughtful discussion about slot AP, secrecy, monetizing information, community gatekeeping, and why some opportunities react very differently to exposure than card counting does. It’s equal parts practical shop talk, philosophy, and hilarious degeneracy.

Show Notes

• Casino ID checks, age verification, and handling “random” checks
• Rated vs unrated play and how comps can affect longevity
• Travel cost-saving strategies for AP road trips
• Using comp properties as a base for regional casino runs
• Sleeping in cars, truck stop showers, rental car hacks, and Vegas travel EV
• Domestic Tranquility Index: using casino comps to keep partners happy
• Rat-holing strategies, chip palming, shift changes, and camouflage
• Cover plays, gambler acts, and making surveillance see what you want them to see
• The ethics (and comedy) of disguises, personas, and undercover play
• Crazy casino promotions and exploitable coupon stories
• Casino management mistakes, side bets, and why casinos sweat the wrong things
• Jackpot procedures, surveillance attention, and when to leave the table
• YouTube, TikTok, AP influencers, and whether exposure helps or hurts
• Freeloading back-counters and table etiquette among APs
• Slot AP secrecy, monetization, and whether selling information burns opportunities
• Reddit toxicity, moderated communities, and why scarce edges create territorial behavior

Memorable moments:

• “Gold miners or miners?”
• The old-man Hollywood prosthetic AP disguise story
• Blind Luck as the greatest AP content channel name never launched
• A casino promo worth nearly pure EV… because management didn’t listen
• Going full max spread after a floor says, “We don’t get card counters here”
• The philosophical debate: where is the line between cover and absurdity?

In this episode of Tens and Aces, host Mike AP sits down with returning guest Xipo, an advantage player and veteran software developer, to break down one of the most talked-about controversies in the blackjack community. Well, at least on Reddit and other online places of note in the AP community.

At the center of the discussion is a dispute involving Blackjack Tools and Blackjack Apprenticeship, raising serious questions about intellectual property, proprietary datasets, and software integrity in the world of advantage play.

With over 30 years of experience in software development and cybersecurity, Xipo walks through the technical evidence—from identical outputs at extreme decimal precision to suspicious code changes and AI-generated patterns that may suggest attempts to obscure underlying data sources.

But this episode goes beyond code.

Mike and Xipo explore the broader implications for the AP community: trust between players, the value of paid vs free platforms, and the ethics of building tools in a space built on shared knowledge. They also discuss how AI tools like ChatGPT and other LLMs are changing the way software is written—and how those tools leave detectable fingerprints.

Despite the controversy, the conversation remains balanced—acknowledging innovation in competing tools while emphasizing the importance of transparency, originality, and respect for the work that powers successful advantage play.

Whether you're a card counter, aspiring AP, or just interested in the intersection of gambling, software, and ethics—this episode delivers a rare, insider-level breakdown.

EPISODE TOPICS

• blackjack advantage play
• Blackjack Apprenticeship
• blackjack tools controversy
• AP software tools
• blackjack EV calculator
• card counting strategy
• gambling software analysis
• AI in coding (ChatGPT, LLM)
• intellectual property dispute
• blackjack community discussion
• casino advantage play podcast
• EV optimization blackjack tools

In this transmission of our experiment in imaginary radio, something we like to call, T&A: The Tens and Aces Podcast, we present a fresh new episode with friend of the show and former guest, Blackjack Advantage Player "Rainman" and we catch up with all that's going down in his world! S, if this is the type of thing you'd like to hear, listen up, because we're about to give you some T&A! #63

Summary: In this episode, host Mike AP welcomes Midwest Mike, a rising advantage player (AP) in the blackjack community. Midwest Mike shares his unique journey from Michigan to the West Coast and back, chronicling his rapid ascent in the world of card counting. He discusses his origins, the role of luck versus skill, and his methodical approach to building a bankroll from $10,000 to $78,000. Midwest Mike emphasizes the importance of both technical skill and table presence, highlighting how his outgoing personality and sales background have been as vital as mastering the math. Listeners will hear about the highs and lows of AP life: grueling casino sessions, memorable back-off stories, emotional swings, and the lessons learned from networking with other APs. The episode wraps with advice for new card counters, stressing the value of developing a strong act alongside a winning game for long-term success.

Key Takeaways:

• Midwest Mike started card counting after watching documentaries and training with Blackjack Apprenticeship, initially practicing basic strategy and running count before refining his skills.
• He built his bankroll from $10k to $78k, experiencing both lucky upswings and significant losses.
• Early on, his inconsistent bet spread limited his profits until feedback from fellow APs prompted him to be more disciplined with his betting.
• Midwest Mike credits much of his longevity and success to his extroverted personality and ability to blend in, using his social skills to build rapport with dealers and pit bosses.
• He details the emotional toll and lifestyle challenges of full-time AP play, especially when traveling.
• His biggest advice for new players: Work as much on your table act and persona as your technical skills. Being able to interact naturally and confidently is crucial for longevity.

Notable Stories:

• Getting backed off at Snoqualmie before fully mastering the game.
• Playing marathon sessions and befriending casino staff in Washington.
• Navigating back-offs in the Midwest, including a memorable $10k losing session.
• The importance of networking with other APs and learning from their feedback.

Advice for Listeners:

• Perfect your game, but also build your cover and interpersonal skills.
• Practice playing under real casino conditions, not just at home.
• Accept the emotional swings and keep a long-term focus.