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!

In this Episode of our attempt at imaginary radio, a little thing we like to call the Tens and Aces Podcast, we bring a very special surprise guest on for an interview and to talk about the ever important topic of AP etiquette. 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!

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 Stories

Early 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 rapport

networking seen as long-term investment, sometimes an immediate game, sometimes a relationship for future value

*.Casino Adventures and Lessons

Northern 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 Dynamics

Discussion 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 Thoughts

Lessons 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 reminder

Maintaining 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 resilience

LINKSSUBSCRIBE to the Pod!

anchor. fm/ta21

This is a bonus episode of the podcast. Something I'm going to call a "Quick hit" episode. These episodes may be about AP play, or they might be about something else random that we feel like talking about. Nothing overtly political or controversial, just some fun bonus conversation for you to listen to while driving to your next stop. Here's the first edition of our "quick hit" episodes. Please let us know whether you like this kind of bonus content. After all, we're here to serve you!

Don't worry, there's a full episode of T&A coming soon!

[NEW] Episode with this guest is coming soon! This is being re-released for those who may not have heard this first visit with MW Mike.

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.

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

• 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

• 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

• 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?"

• 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

• 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

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

Email: [email protected]
Reddit: r/tapodcast
Use code T21 at Blackjack Apprenticeship

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