Episode 125: The X You Want To Talk To
T&A: Tens And Aces. An AP Blackjack podcast. Turning the tables from Las Vegas to Local CasinosShow Notes
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
More from 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 Welcome to the Tens and Aces Podcast.
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
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!