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

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
Welcome to the Tens and Aces Podcast.

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

Spy AP’s Origin Story
Discovering 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 Counting
How 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 Building
Returning 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 Play
The 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 Paranoia
A 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 Environment
The 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 Blackjack
Why 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 Team
Bouncing 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 Trip
Expectations 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 Voicemail
A 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 Apprenticeship⁠

Reddit Community: r/TApodcast

Steven 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 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 BetsLucky 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 OffBe 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 IdentitySlot 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 DebateSome 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 TAKEAWAYSLook 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 & RESOURCESEmail: [email protected]
Reddit: r/tapodcast
Use code T21 at Blackjack Apprenticeship
SUPPORT THE SHOWSubscribe 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

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.