The Blackjack Apprenticeship Podcast

In this episode, Joe748 and SD1 sit down with StaticBlackjack, RobertMoser, and Badluck to discuss their journey from solo card counters to running a coordinated blackjack team. We dive into bankroll building, team rules, handling casino heat, trust-building, EV-based profit splits, and the perks and challenges of team play. We dig into road trips filled with burritos and back-offs, the trio revea...

Card Counter and BJA member GreaseMonkey joins Colin to discuss: Why he got into card counting, what is was like playing on his own bankroll, what is was like being bankrolled by another player and deciding how Blackjack fit in his life.

Colin, SD1, and Joe748 answer questions covering everything from advanced card counting systems and AP travel stories to risk management and career advice. They discuss the pros and cons of different counting systems, share insights on maintaining an edge, and offer practical advice for both new and experienced players, including safety tips for carrying cash. 

Colin, Joe748, and SD1 are joined by tax expert Gary Kondler to break down how new legislation could impact gamblers’ taxes. Gary explains the proposed 10% cap on deductions, how it affects pros and recreational players, and why W2Gs, 1099s, and session accounting matter more than ever. They cover real-world examples, what gamblers can do to prepare, and why planning ahead is critical as these cha...

BJA member and Bootcamp grad "Ballaboy2234" joins Colin to discuss: Training with a co-worker - Taking advantage of a side count early in his career - Mid career losing streak and reality check - The effects of Covid on his career - And more! See the Opportunity/Risk video here: https://www.blackjackapprenticeship.com/opportunity-risk-graph-video/

In this month's mailbag Joe748 and SD1 tackle top questions from the YouTube community and the BJA forum. They dig into the most common tells of a card counter, dispel myths about the risks and rewards of advantage play, and offer practical advice on navigating casino culture as an aspiring or experienced card counter.

Joe748 and SD1 interview Dr. Timothy Fong, a UCLA professor and leading authority on gambling addiction, about the neuroscience, risk factors, and real-world consequences of gambling disorders. Dr. Fong explains how gambling impacts the brain, why some people are more vulnerable, and discusses both the moral responsibilities of casinos and the urgent need for better regulation and treatment option...

Joe748 and SD1 interview BJA Member “Paradigm” about his journey from discovering blackjack and card counting as a hobby to ultimately making the leap from a career in the medical field to becoming a full-time advantage player. Paradigm shares insights on his cautious approach, the impact of COVID on his training, the realities and challenges of professional AP life, and offers practical advice fo...

In this month's rebroadcast we're going DEEP into the vault to our talk with Ultimate in the early days of the BJA podcast. It's a great episode that still holds up! In this Podcast we discuss: - How he went from home gambling nights with his friends to studying card counting - How he fit his training around working a full-time job (and life) - His trip to the US for a  Blackjack Bootcamp , follow...

Joe748 and SD1 are back to answer community questions from the Blackjack Apprenticeship forum, YouTube, Spotify, and beyond. They cover everything from taking advantage of favorable casino situations, playing conditions in Reno and Vegas, and chip inventory strategies, to evading backoffs and reporting gambling income. 

Greg and Nick from Frequent Miler join Joe748 and SD1 to reveal how everyday spending APs already do can also pay for travel, hotels, and more. They break down how to start earning credit card points, avoid rookie mistakes, and use airline transfer partners for outsized value—like flying Delta for a fraction of the cost. They dig into the parallels between casino advantage play and mastering the p...

The week we're revisiting an episode from 2019 with multiple six-figure card counter "ambj21" We discuss: – Losing 80% of your bankroll – Playing as an investment vs playing for survival – Balancing Advantage Play while raising a family – Putting your money where your values are

In today's episode, Joe748 and SD1 sit down with BPWannaBe, a part-time card counter who's earnings are in multiple six figures while juggling a full-time job and family commitments. He shares the ups and downs of his journey—from learning about card counting while playing poker full-time, early setbacks and massive downswings, to climbing out of a $75K hole and eventually crushing high-stakes gam...

In today's mailbag Joe748 and SD1 answer more questions from the BJA forum, Youtube and socials. They cover the use of betting camouflage techniques, the risks and strategies of using someone else’s player card, and the etiquette of dealing with other card counters at the table. Additionally, they share insights from their personal experiences at blackjack bootcamps and discuss advanced blackjack...

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...

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 impo...

In this special episode, Colin interviews Richard Munchkin — legendary advantage player, Blackjack Hall of Famer, and co-host of the Gambling with an Edge podcast. Richard shares incredible stories from his decades-long career, including how he put himself through college with backgammon and poker, broke into advantage play, mastered shuffle tracking and sequencing, and even smuggled casino winnin...

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...

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 s...

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 a...

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...

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 wrong...

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...