The Blackjack Apprenticeship Podcast

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.

Joe748 and SD1 are digging into the mailbag today to tackle a wide range of questions from the nuances of beatable side bets and card counting strategies abroad to dealing with casino heat and maintaining longevity as an advantage player. They also dive into the psychological challenges of card counting, the corporate grind versus the freedom of advantage play, and even the strategy behind winning at UNO.

Today we're talking to Andrew Uyal, the author of "Blackjack Insiders". He began his career as a pit boss in Las Vegas before learning to count cards from his supervisor. With insider knowledge from the casino operations side the two teamed up to count cards across the country and built a sizable bankroll. Andrew ultimately made the decision to return to casino supervising, where his firsthand understanding of both sides of the table continues to shape his unique perspective on the industry.   You can also see the video of this podcast on the BJA YouTube channel!

We're off this week but this is a favorite interview from the vaults that a lot of you may not have heard before. Enjoy! We talk about how a part time card counter and full time construction worker has earned six figures counting cards. He's driving the company truck to the casino, using casino money to pay for his wedding; all while getting a lot of comps (cruises, flights, hotels, TVs, and a Dyson vacuum).

SD1 and Joe748 are joined by BCD and SmurfAP to explore how professional gamblers stay healthy on the road. They discuss balancing fitness with long casino hours, and navigating travel diets. Packed with tips and personal stories, this episode offers practical advice for thriving in a high-pressure lifestyle. This is the first episode of our 2025 series in AP Lifestyle Skills. Each month we'll deep dive into a skill Advantage Players need to succeed at the lifestyle. 

T. Dane, a casino surveillance expert with over 20 years of experience and author, shares fascinating insights on the evolution of casino surveillance and advantage play. He discusses the transition from analog to digital systems and the role of facial recognition in modern gaming. T. Dane reveals strategies for monitoring player behaviors, like tracking card counters, while emphasizing mentorship's impact on his career. Intriguing tales of cheating and the challenges of surveillance in fast-paced environments round out this captivating conversation.

Today Joe748 and SD1 hang out with L_EC, a professional card counter. He was last here in 2021, a lot has changed since then. L_EC shares his journey from starting with a small bankroll and enduring a grueling 400-hour losing streak to eventually joining teams, playing solo, and mastering the art of advantage play. He reflects on the challenges of bankroll management, adapting to different team dynamics, and balancing his personal life while pursuing a career in advantage play.