The Blackjack Apprenticeship Podcast

Today Joe748 and SD1 are joined by renowned sleep expert Mollie Eastman, creator of Sleep is a Skill. Mollie dives deep into the science of sleep, circadian rhythm, and how environments like casinos—and modern life in general—can disrupt our biological clocks. From practical tips to insights on meal timing, blue light exposure, and the power of red light therapy we're looking to improve our sleep and our performance at the tables.    See more of Mollie's work at her website Sleep is a Skill. 

SassyRed was a remarkable member of the BJA community, let's revisit her very first appearance on the BJA Podcast this week. Part 2 of this conversation focuses on emotional swings as an AP and is also available to our members on the member only podcast player. In this interview we discuss: - How a life of travel helps prepare you for the AP life - How to handle desperate casino patrons - The importance of setting attainable goals - Advice for milking comps

Richard Munchkin, a Blackjack Hall of Famer and co-host of Gambling with an Edge, shares captivating tales from his extensive career in advantage play. He recounts how he juggled college life while earning from backgammon and poker. Richard dives into the complexities of shuffle tracking and the delicate balance of anonymity at casinos. He reflects on his humorous yet risky currency exchange adventures in post-Wall Poland and the importance of reputation and networking in the high-stakes gambling world.

Today, Joe748 and SD1 catch up after a successful Blackjack Bootcamp and dive into questions from the BJA forum and YouTube. Topics range from choosing the best card counting system to managing burnout and bankroll expectations. Both guys provide honest insight into the realities—glamorous and not—of life on the road as an advantage player. 

Continuing our AP Life Skills series, Joe748 and SD1 sit down with Brian Hatch, a former gambling addict turned advocate and host of All In: The Addicted Gamblers Podcast. Brian shares his 14-year struggle with gambling addiction, offering firsthand insight into its dangers. Together, they explore the fine line between professional advantage play and problem gambling, as well as the psychological traps casinos use to keep players hooked. As advocates for ethical and responsible advantage play, we believe that understanding these risks and staying mindful of your own mental health is just as important as mastering blackjack strategy. Visit Brian's podcast All In: The Addicted Gamblers Podcast

In this episode Colin reconnects with  full-time advantage player Nickels after nearly five years. Today, Nickels is BJA's forum moderator and the go-to for BJA member's advice. They discuss Nickels’ shift from blackjack to video poker, the nuances of high-variance AP strategies, and the common pitfalls of new card counters. Nickels shares wild casino stories, insights on industry trends and his strategies for handling the emotional swings of professional gambling.

Today Colin and Joe748 catch up with Jkat, a card counter and teacher who has just wrapped up his third summer-long Blackjack road trip. He shares stories from the road, including wild casino experiences, close calls with back-offs, and the reality of life as a seasonal Blackjack player. From navigating casinos across the country to finding unexpected ways to extend his playing time, Jkat offers an inside look at the highs and lows of professional card counting. Whether you’re an aspiring advantage player or just love a good gambling story, this episode is packed with insights, strategy, and plenty of laughs.   Watch our first conversation with JKat on the BJA YouTube: https://youtu.be/BQTVPoNgtac

Everyone is preparing for this weekend's Bootcamp, let's dig into the archives and check out jcrox111 for those who weren't around in 2019 to hear it the first time.  Winning 150k from one local casino, getting comped a 2019 Mercedes and a $14,000 European Cruise. jcrox111 is a professional card counter. In this interview we discuss: – Winning 150k at a casino within walking distance of your house – Getting comped a 2019 Mercedes lease and a $14k European Cruise – “Blackjack bought me three houses” - jcrox111 – His unique and successful gameplan

Continuing our AP Life Skill series this year, Joe748 and SD1 talk with former federal prosecutor Stef Casella, an expert on asset forfeiture and money laundering. Casella explains how asset forfeiture laws work, their history, and how they impact professional gamblers carrying large sums of cash. They discuss the legal process, law enforcement’s perspective, and how to protect yourself from wrongful seizures while on the road.

This week, we’re revisiting the first time Nickels—our incredible Community Moderator on the forums and chat—made an appearance on BJA. In this episode, we dive into his journey to becoming a professional advantage player, strategies for spotting and seizing opportunities in the casino, how to capitalize on rare (and valuable) casino promotions, and much more.