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

Mike AP
  • 4.5 (39)
  • GAMES
  • UPDATED SEMIWEEKLY

A podcast about the real lives and experiences of advantage players of the game of Blackjack. We'll share both positive and negative stories, because as any Blackjack pro knows, the positive and negative variance of this game and how to take advantage of the positive situations while working our way through the negative one, is what rising above mere gambling and winning long-term in this game is all about. Blackjack is, along with Poker, one of the few games in a casino that a disciplined and skilled player can have a long term edge playing. Are you ready for some T&A?

  1. Episode 130: Five Guys, One Chat

    2D AGO

    Episode 130: Five Guys, One Chat

    What happens when five advantage players with completely different backgrounds sit down to talk shop? In this episode of the Tens and Aces Podcast, host Mike AP is joined by Xipo, Loki, LimaTime, and Skeleton to sit down and discuss the reality of life on the felt, along with other AP endovors. From Martingale mishaps and the legality of using another person’s player’s card to the psychological warfare of "hiding in plain sight," this episode covers the full spectrum of the journey. The group dives into creating cover personas, leveraging online resources and tools, such as the Blackjack Apprenticeship (BJA) community to battle loneliness, the hidden value of AP on cruise ships, and why the house kicking you out is the ultimate proof of concept. The "Smart Gambler" Cover: LimaTime explains how his professional background helps him blend in. By playing up the "successful guy with too much money" stereotype, he avoids the "young counter" profile that attracts pit boss scrutiny. Player's Cards & Legality: The panel tackles a sensitive topic: Is it fraud to use someone else's player's card? A discussion on breaking "casino rules" vs. breaking the law, the syndicates trying to "bust out" promotions, and why most casinos usually just cancel your comps. The Loneliness of the Road: Why networking via the Blackjack Apprenticeship app, Discord, Reddit and other online communities is vital for modern players to stay mentally on top of their games and battle the loneliness that often accompanies AP play, as compared to the isolation players faced 20+ years ago before before social media and the proliferation of supportive on-line communities. Family Misconceptions: Dealing with family who don't understand the math. The guys discuss explaining swingy sessions, the difference between losing and "bad counting," and the reality that you can't pay a phone bill with Expected Value (EV). Casino Logic (or Lack Thereof): Stories of casinos backing off losing players or "ploppies" simply because they were uncomfortable with the action, proving that the house isn't always as sharp as they think. AP on the High Seas: Loki and Xipo discuss the opportunities and limitations of AP on cruise ships. They cover the reality of the games, leveraging "conditional promotions" to pay for family trips, and why keeping these plays under "lock and key" is essential for longevity.War Stories & Game Protection: A look at how License Plate Readers (LPR) can get your grandmother banned, the rare beauty of spotting a hole carding opportunity, and the legendary "they got us" back-off prank. TO SUPPORT THE SHOW BY BECOMING A PAID SUBSCRIBER FOR THE PRICE OF ONE CUP OF COFFEE CLICK HERE -----------] anchor.fm/ta21 Key Terms in This Episode:#CardCounting #Blackjack #AdvantagePlay #CasinoComps #CoverPersona #APLife #TensAndAces #BlackjackApprenticeship #BJA #ExpectedValue #CruiseShipAP #CasinoSurveillance #MikeAP If you enjoyed this round table of advantage players, make sure to subscribe so you can have Part 2 of this conversation sent automatically to your feed when it's released. Resources Mentioned: Blackjack Apprenticeship (BJA): Training, community, and player networking.Tens and Aces Podcast: Real stories from real advantage players.

    51 min
  2. Episode 110: Back To Basics

    APR 7

    Episode 110: Back To Basics

    Here is a new episode of the podcast with an updated Blackjack basic strategy tutorial. #blackjack #tutorial #gambling #casino #advantageplay #Cardcounting

    29 min
  3. Episode 128: Into the AP Badlands: Bankroll Trauma, Backoffs & Blackjack War Stories

    APR 6

    Episode 128: Into the AP Badlands: Bankroll Trauma, Backoffs & Blackjack War Stories

    In this gloriously unhinged deep‑dive into the Badlands of advantage play Blackjack, host Mike AP sits down with Chris and Steve for Part 3 of their marathon four‑hour blackjack saga. What starts as a chat about obscure deviations quickly spirals into a full‑blown AP therapy session: bankroll trauma, emotional damage, tribal‑casino war stories, Reddit bans, ploppy encounters, and the eternal truth that blackjack is basically a never‑ending boxing match where the casino is a heavyweight assassin and you’re… well… you. The trio break down the real AP lifestyle — the wins, the losses, the “I just lost a house in one shoe” moments, the existential 2 a.m. parking‑lot stare‑downs, and the weird joy of using a deviation you practiced for months. They roast bad games, bad advice, bad risk‑of‑ruin math, and bad casino behavior. They also pitch a heartfelt recruitment ad for women APs (“please, for the love of God, email us”), share tales of side‑bet degeneracy, and explain why giving up your ID too early is the AP equivalent of tattooing your SSN on your forehead. If you love blackjack, advantage play, card counting, casino psychology, EV nerdery, and stories from the trenches, this episode is your buffet. If you’re a ploppy… buckle up. SHOW NOTES 📬 Contact information "BAD CHRIS" & "BAD STEVE" blackalaskandiamond@hotmail.com MIKE AP tensandaces21@gmail.com • Why obscure deviations are fun and worth learning even when they’re worth 0.0000003 EV • Respecting the casino as a trained assassin trying to murder your bankroll • Bankroll reality: why most APs fail and why $50k is the real “starter kit” in Chris's opinion • Variance as a living demon that eats your soul • The emotional journey from “I lost $7k!!!” to “lol that’s cute” • Risk of ruin: why 10% is insanity and 2% is still spicy • Game selection as the true AP superpower • Why women APs are unicorns and also terrifyingly effective • The art of not giving your ID unless absolutely necessary • Tales of tribal casinos, trespass forms, and signing “eat shit” • Ploppy interactions: unsolicited advice, confusion, and delicious irony • Buying other players’ blackjacks, side‑bet shenanigans, and EV thievery • Getting cheated by a “fair” casino and the joy of being told to pound sand • Reddit bans, hockey fights, and the dangers of saying “hit him in the jibs” • Backoffs, flaps, and the sweet moment when the pit tells you you’re “too good” • Why APs leave the table when someone else hits a big side bet • Team play, shared bankrolls, and the “pigs get slaughtered” problem • The eternal truth: blackjack is one long shoe, and the casino doesn’t care about your feelings • Blackjack podcast • Card counting stories • Advantage play strategy • AP lifestyle • Casino backoff stories • Blackjack deviations explained • Professional gambler interviews

    1h 18m

  4. APR 6

    Episode 129: Let Me Get This Straight

    This is just a short little bonus episode we put together while we're editing down and doing post-production on the latest four interviews we conducted for the show. More full-length episodes to come soon!

    4 min

  5. MAR 27

    BONUS episode! Extra, Extra!

    If you don't already know, we're also pretty big baseball fans here at the T&A Podcast. We're specifically big Seattle Mariners fans. Today was opening day for most of the MLB, including the Mariners. Mike has a side podcast project where he hosts a Mariners podcast. If this isn't your thing, don't fret, as actual AP-related episodes are coming up very soon! We have five AP/BJ related episodes already recorded and in post-production. We know several MLB fans listen to the T&A feed. So we're putting the first episode of the MLB season into the main feed. Go Mariners!

    15 min
  6. Episode 94: Mailbag Redux

    MAR 8

    Episode 94: Mailbag Redux

    Here's a *BONUS* episode of imaginary radio! It's a Q&A Episode from the Tens & Aces Podcast archives, with friend of the show, Nubs as the guest co-host.

    57 min
  7. Episode 127: Table Time Kills Ghosts. N‑Zero Kills Doubt

    FEB 27

    Episode 127: Table Time Kills Ghosts. N‑Zero Kills Doubt

    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.

    1h 37m
  8. Advantage Slot Play and Comp Hustling

    FEB 15

    Advantage Slot Play and Comp Hustling

    Episode 113: Down with the Clowns of the Illuminati! In this episode of our attempt at imaginary radio, we present the Tend and Aces Blackjack Podcast. Here, we talk to an AP named, "Sam." Sam isn't like most of our interview guests as he's not a Blackjack AP, but rather an AP who does slots and "other things" besides Blackjack. So, if this is the kind of thing you'd like to hear, listen up, because we're about to give you some T&A!

    1h 14m
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About

A podcast about the real lives and experiences of advantage players of the game of Blackjack. We'll share both positive and negative stories, because as any Blackjack pro knows, the positive and negative variance of this game and how to take advantage of the positive situations while working our way through the negative one, is what rising above mere gambling and winning long-term in this game is all about. Blackjack is, along with Poker, one of the few games in a casino that a disciplined and skilled player can have a long term edge playing. Are you ready for some T&A?

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