Episode 126V: The Sunk Cost Fallacy (Video Version)

This Is the Video Version of episode 126. Enjoy!

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 opportunityIf 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 NetworkingChris & Steve: [email protected]

This episode is a quick audio tutorial of blackjack basic strategy.

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

We plan on having Nubs back on the show soon for an update on his AP career and to help me dive in to the mailbag and answer listener questions. So, for those of you who haven't heard him on this CLASSIC episode of our attempt at a transmission of imaginary radio, something that we like call the Tens and Aces Podcast, we present an interview with Nubs1981. Nubs is a Pro AP Blackjack player. He shares many entertaining, tragic and dare I say, informative in after school very special episode kind of way stories. So, if this is the kind of stuff you want to hear, well, listen up because we're about to give you some T&A!Things get wild in Episode 4 of the Tens and Aces Podcast as the crew dives into a night full of shenanigans, questionable decisions, casino vibes, and the ultimate party-stopping phrase: “No, you can’t see my ID.” From awkward bar encounters to ridiculous misunderstandings and stories that probably shouldn’t be told in polite company, this episode delivers nonstop laughs and unpredictable chaos.If you love comedy podcasts, casino stories, nightlife mishaps, and unfiltered conversations, this episode is right in your wheelhouse. Expect big laughs, outrageous moments, and classic Tens and Aces energy as the crew proves once again that what happens during shenanigans… definitely ends up on the podcast.Grab a drink, pull up a chair at the virtual card table, and get ready for another hilarious round of Tens and Aces Podcast madness.Timestamps 00:00 – Intro and setting the scene05:12 – How the shenanigans started14:40 – The panties incident23:05 – “No, you can’t see my ID” moment34:18 – Casino chaos and late-night decisions45:00 – Final thoughts and wrap-up#blackjack, #cardcounting, #advantageplay, #gambling, #casino, #winning

In this transmission of this episode of our attempt at imaginary radio, that we like to call The Tens And Aces Podcast, We bring you an interview with an AP named Whiskey who's traveling around in a converted Sprinter Van going from city and city and state to state attacking casinos one by one. So, if this is the type of thing you'd like to hear, listen up, because we're about to give you some T&A!

In this installment of our little experiment in imaginary radio, something that we like to call the Tens and Aces Podcast, we sit down with an advantage player who goes simply by “X” — a former athlete turned blackjack assassin whose journey from lacrosse fields to casino felt is anything but ordinary. What starts as a girlfriend‑sparked nudge (“you need direction”) turns into a full‑blown descent into the rabbit hole of Blackjack, Card Counting, and Advantage Play.X breaks down his obsessive year‑long training regimen — three to four hours a day with nothing but notebooks, fake bankrolls, and rage‑inducing variance — before ever stepping foot back into a casino. From a $2,200 starting bankroll to nearly 700 hours and over $50K in earnings, he recounts the highs, the brutal lows, and the psychological warfare of staying sane while the math does whatever the hell it wants.The conversation hits everything: emotional tilt, ploppy chaos, surrender stigma, insurance debates, back‑offs, sweaty shops, graveyard shifts, networking, traveling play, and the bizarre cast of characters who populate casino life — including rappers, degenerates, and the occasional rent‑money hero.It’s raw, funny, honest, and packed with real‑world insight into what it actually takes to grind out an edge in a casino ecosystem designed to chew you up. If you love stories from the trenches of Blackjack, Casino culture, and Advantage Play, listen up, because we're about to give you some T&A! Key Topics Covered• X’s “superhero origin story” in Blackjack• Transition from athlete to Advantage Player• Training for card counting without software• Building a bankroll from $2,200• Emotional control, tilt, and mental toughness• Understanding variance and staying below EV• First back‑offs and navigating sweaty casinos• Playing graveyard vs. day shifts• Networking through BJA, regional chats, and AP communities• Using cover, table selection, and shift rotation• Ploppy behavior: insurance myths, surrender stigma, “bus card” drama• Stories from Vegas, rent‑money gamblers, and celebrity encounters• The importance of scouting, penetration, and dealer speed• Why promotions and side plays matter• Long‑term goals: hitting $100K and expanding beyond counting Highlights & Quotes• “I wasn’t stepping foot in a casino unless I was a threat.”• “Losing fake money in my bedroom pissed me off more than it should have.”• “Ploppies keep the lights on — but man, they make it hard.”• “My girlfriend made me a $10K trophy. Then I lost $17K in two weeks.”• “First rule of Fight Club: don’t yell ‘Mike AP!’ at the table.”Key Words:Blackjack, Card Counting, Casino Advantage Play, AP Blackjack, Counting Cards, Blackjack Apprenticeship, Back‑offs, Casino Stories, Blackjack Podcast, Advantage Player Lifestyle, EV, Variance, Penetration, Double Deck, Shoe Game, Blackjack Strategy

Video preview of the upcoming episode of Tens and Aces Podcast...

In this transmission of our little attempt at imaginary radio that we like to call the Tens and Aces Podcast, we bring you an episode with Blackjack AP, Smootha. He's had a slightly different experience in the first 600+ hours of his relatively young AP Blackjack career. He brings some wonderful insight to this here podcast, nonetheless. Is this the type of thing you'd like to hear? Well, listen up! We're about to give you some T&A!

Midwest Mike recounts a marathon gambling trip, during which he logged an extraordinary 350 hours at the tables in just a month. Far surpassing the 40 hours a month that most consider "full-time" for an advantage player in blackjack . He shares stories of remarkable variance, including wins totaling $52,000 and a grueling $10,000 losing streak, ultimately leaving a casino with a substantial profit despite a "polite back off" after 90 hours of play. The episode shifts focus to networking and the unpredictable value of making connections at the tables. In one memorable story, Mike strikes up a rapport with a fellow player, the CEO of a telecom company and big-time high roller. This relationship brings unexpected opportunities, including personal hosts, comped hotel rooms in Vegas, and recognition at other casinos. Conversations emphasize how genuine connections can create long-term opportunities beyond immediate gains.Mike also describes an awkward and intense experience at a northern Michigan casino, where he deals with odd staff behavior, uncomfortable dealer comments, and ultimately gets trespassed after a significant win. Rather than reacting with hostility, Mike handles the situation with humor and composure, even joking about being a "sex addict" when pushed toward a back room, turning a tense situation into a story of defiance and levity. These stories show the unpredictable nature of casino life, both in terms of profit swings and personal encounters.SHOW NOTES* Midwest Mike updates the audience about his AP play after a long hiatus from the podcast. *Reflection on the grind350 hours of play in a month, average session over 9 hours; balancing time between playing and communication.*MW Mike ended the trip up $52,000.Polite back offs and trespasses become routine; biggest win cited as $30,000 at one property.*Endured a painful $10,000 losing streak, but finished significantly ahead at the end of the run.*Networking StoriesEarly morning session leads to meeting a high roller/CEO packing $20,000 in chips. This chance meeting results in Vegas offers, access to high-limit rooms, private hosts, and VIP treatment.*The importance of rapportnetworking seen as long-term investment, sometimes an immediate game, sometimes a relationship for future value*.Casino Adventures and LessonsNorthern Michigan experience:Awkward staff, personal comments, changing dealers every 30 minutes.Humorous handling of being labeled an addict and dealing with “red flag” status by the pit boss.Final hours—down $7,000, but returns and wins back $7,500 before being trespassed after a dramatic standoff and witty banter with security.*Dealing with casino staff.Strategy and Table DynamicsDiscussion of card counting, betting spreads, and casino countermeasures.Insights into casino myths (e.g., using apps for live card counting) and player stereotypes.Continual act refinements: blending the professionalism of a businessperson with gambling skills. *Reflections and Closing ThoughtsLessons on adapting to casino environments, learning from awkward or tense moments.The long-haul approach to networking and gambling never knowing when a connection will pay off.A closing reminderMaintaining composure, humor, and adaptability are as valuable as the math behind advantage play. This episode is a candid, entertaining look at the unpredictable lifestyle of a professional card counter, emphasizing both the major swings and the subtle, unexpected wins gained through relationships and resilienceLINKSSUBSCRIBE to the Pod!anchor. fm/ta21