Episode 139: Advantage Slot Play & Comp Hustling (Updated 7/7/26)

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.

Canadian Shenanigans!

In this episode of our attempt at imaginary radio, we present an interview with former guest and friend of the show, Chris. He's a full-time professional Blackjack Player and Advantage Player. #Blackjack #Card Counting #Advantage Play #Gambling #Casinos

In Until You Win

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!

Episode 126: The Sunk cost Fallacy (UPDATED version with audio issues fixed)

In this installment of our attempt at imaginary radio, something that we like to call The Tens and Aces Podcast, host Mike AP sits down with returning guest Chris and his playing partner “Bad Steve” for one of the most candid, technical, and brutally honest AP conversations ever recorded on Tens & Aces. Steve walks through his origin story — from growing up with nothing, to learning basic strategy in college, to joining early teams that paid him certainty‑equivalent hourly rates while he played underage. He explains how he built a bankroll, got backed off everywhere, attended a blackjack science seminar, learned EV and risk‑of‑ruin math from a legendary AP mentor, and eventually moved into advanced plays like hole‑carding, next‑card knowledge, and exploiting dealer procedures. The three dig into the psychology of casinos, why APs are a rounding error yet still hunted, and how ego, pride, and incompetence shape surveillance decisions. They share stories of disguises, misdirection, obscure deviations, misdeal opportunities, shuffle‑tracking, and the soft‑skills that separate elite APs from basic counters. Networking, trust, and the emotional toll of variance take center stage as Steve describes losing huge sums while still having a massive edge — and why most new APs underestimate the psychological cost. The crew breaks down bankroll swings, team dynamics, bad intel, and the importance of character when trusting someone with tens of thousands in chips. This episode closes with reflections on how AP thinking transfers to business, why some brilliant people choose crime over legitimate opportunity, and a reminder that more of this marathon interview is coming soon. In Part 1 of this multi‑episode interview, Mike AP sits down with professional advantage players Chris and “Bad Steve” to explore the real world of blackjack AP — from card counting and hole‑carding to shuffle‑tracking, misdeal exploitation, and advanced casino‑beating techniques. Topics include: • Steve’s AP origin story and early team play • Building a bankroll and surviving backoffs • Hole‑carding, next‑card knowledge, and obscure deviations • Casino psychology, surveillance mistakes, and ego‑driven decisions • Networking, trust, and the dark side of AP misinformation • Bankroll swings, variance, and the emotional cost of professional play • How AP skills translate to business and real‑world opportunity If you’re serious about blackjack, AP networking, or understanding the mindset behind long‑term advantage play, this episode is essential listening — and just the beginning of a much deeper conversation. Now, are you ready for some T&A? Contact information for Networking Chris & Steve: Blackalaskandiamond@hotmail.com

Episode 139: Advantage Slot Play & Comp Hustling (Updated 7/7/26)

This is one of our favorite episodes that we've done in the fairly recent past. We're currently going though episodes and re-editing them. Throughout this summer, we'll be posting updated versions of legacy episodes as well as mixing in some new content as well. This one touches on aspects of AP besides blackjack play. We've gotten some great feedback regarding this episode, so if you haven't yet heard it, here you go. If you have, maybe listen again?