Episode 140: Spy Me A Blackjack

Episode SummaryIn 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 AnnouncementsWelcome to the Tens and Aces Podcast.Join the conversation and episode threads on our Reddit community: r/TApodcast.Spy AP’s Origin StoryDiscovering card counting at age 15 through the movie "21".Hitting Washington state casinos at 18, losing his first bankroll, and deciding to beat the game.Mastering the Craft of Card CountingHow Blackjack Apprenticeship (BJA) and Steven Bridges' YouTube vlogs fueled Spy’s training.The hours spent mastering counting down a deck and perfecting basic strategy using the BJA mobile app.The First Big Win & Bankroll BuildingReturning to the tables with a $1,000 bankroll and walking away with an early $500 win at a double-deck game in Lakewood.The illusion of easy money and the harsh reality of variance.Casino Heat, ID Checks, & Cover PlayThe challenges of being a young card counter who constantly gets carded.Spy's top cover plays for looking more mature: wearing a suit, nice watches, and bringing a date to the casino.Aggressive Backoffs & Casino ParanoiaA crazy story involving a confiscated player’s card and real police in a Southern California casino.A discussion on why casinos waste money sweating low-stakes counters and altering game rules to their own detriment.Surviving the Casino EnvironmentThe gloomy reality of casino culture.Why APs must unplug, step into nature, and reset their dopamine to maintain a sharp game and avoid becoming "robotic."Advantage Play Beyond BlackjackWhy you should never just beeline for the blackjack tables.Scouting for other EV (Expected Value) opportunities, including casino promotions, "match play" coupons, and advantage slots.Forming a Blackjack TeamBouncing back from early bankroll depletion by networking on Reddit.Forming a three-man team, pooling resources, and passing a rigorous checkout with Loudon Often.The San Diego & Vegas TripExpectations vs. reality on a major team trip.Dealing with sweaty casinos in San Diego and grinding out $15,000 in EV over three weeks.New Segment: Listener VoicemailA listener shares a hilarious and frustrating table story about a degenerate gambler friend.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.Mike AP’s thoughts on how bad players can inadvertently provide great cover for card counters.⁠Blackjack Apprenticeship⁠Reddit Community: r/TApodcastSteven Bridges (YouTube)NOTE: Originally Episode 93 and interview conducted in 2024

In this episode of imaginary radio, something that we like to call the Tens and Aces Blackjack Podcast, we bring you an interview with professional Blackjack player, Spy AP. Episode 93

T&A PODCAST - Part 2: Steve & Kal Thor InterviewThis episode covers dealer mistakes, hole card plays, side bets, backing off strategies, and wild casino stories from experienced advantage players.KEY TOPICSDealer Tells & MistakesDowntown Vegas dealer who'd ask "are you sure?" revealing no made handPost-COVID rusty dealers making obvious peeking errorsLucky Stiff side bet dealer paying unqualified hands (cost casino $3-4K)New casinos = inexperienced dealers = more mistakesSide BetsLucky Ladies +EV at +6.5 true count (Hi-Lo)1000:1 payout for suited queens w/ dealer blackjackTIP: Cash out immediately after big wins to avoid surveillance reviewBacking OffBe unmemorable - don't argue, just leaveStory: Flat-bet to $25 while "ploppy" betting $1000 allowed to continueDealer's response: "We let you bet $1000 - what does that say about your play?"Protecting Your IdentitySlot hand-pay tip: Refuse consent for automatic player's cardScript: "I do not consent to giving my information for creating a player's card"Only legally required to show ID to police, not securityRated vs Unrated DebateSome casinos require cards for premium gamesHard Rock: unrated players limited to 1 hand, 4x table minWeigh short-term comps vs. long-term accessKEY TAKEAWAYSLook beyond blackjack tables for opportunitiesScout new casinos and new table gamesSide bets = high variance despite +EVNetwork with other APs for intelProtect identity strategicallyCONTACT & RESOURCESEmail: [email protected]: r/tapodcastUse code T21 at Blackjack ApprenticeshipSUPPORT THE SHOWSubscribe for $4.99/month: Video episodes, ad-free audio, 3-day early accessMain podcast always 100% FREE!LINK TO SUBSCRIBE#Blackjack #AdvantagePlay #CardCounting #Casino #Gambling

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 NOTESSLOT STORIESWhy 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 SAGASteve 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 COUNTWhy 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 COUNTWe 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

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 experiment of imaginary radio, a little something that we like to call the Tens and Aces Blackjack Podcast, we present you with part one of an interview with a AP Blanckjack player named "Ghost." If this is the type of thing you'd like to hear, well listen up, because we're about to give you some T&A!(Originally episode 38)

In this transmission of our attempt of imaginary radio, we bring you part two of an interview with blackjack advantage player, Ghost. So, if this is the type of thing you want to hear, listen up,  because we're about to give you some T&A!(updated 7/7/26)