The Blackjack Apprenticeship Podcast

From Pit Boss to Pro Counter: Andrew Uyal Returns to BJA | BJA144

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!

[Rebroadcast] The Part Time, 6 Figure Card Counter: “Overtime”| BJA059

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).
 

AP Lifestyle Skills w/ SmurfAP and BCD: Being Healthy and Balanced on the Road | BJA143

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 Takes Us Behind the Casino Surveillance Curtain | BJA142

Colin and Joe748 are joined with guest T. Dane to explore the evolution of casino surveillance and advantage play. T. Dane shares over 20 years of experience, from the shift to digital surveillance to catching card counters and uncovering techniques like hole-carding. They also discuss facial recognition, generational changes in players, and his journey writing books on the art of surveillance.
If you’re looking to dig deeper into these topics check out T. Dane’s books: The Art of Casino Surveillance: An Insight into Modern-Day Game Protection  and Behind The Black Dome: An Advantage Player's Guide to Casino Surveillance.
 

L_EC Returns: Lessons After Three Years as a Pro | BJA141

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.

Mailbag Q&A w/ SD1: Bankroll Management, Creating a Convincing Act, and Stories | BJA140

Colin is joined by SD1 to tackle more community questions on card counting, blackjack strategy, and bankroll management. They dive into creating convincing “acts” to stay under the radar, the pros and cons of working with investors, and strategies for managing multi-currency bankrolls. Between questions they dive into stories, including high-stakes splits, team play mishaps, and the importance of learning from ploppies (non-counters). Whether you’re a seasoned pro or just curious about the blackjack lifestyle, this episode has something for everyone.

[Rebroadcast] The Gift of Getting Fired and Networking with Successful AP ‘PingPong’ | BJA054

We hope everyone who celebrates has a great Thanksgiving!While we're out of the studio, enjoy one of our favorite previous episodes that you may have missed with Bootcamp graduate PingPong. 
In this interview we discuss:
– Learning to think ‘outside the box’ for $8 million
– Advice for those considering transitioning from part time into full time card counting
– Trusting the math while continuing to explore new ways to generate EV
– To play rated or not to play rated?
– How the people having the most success are well networked

Johno’s 30 Year Journey: Break-Even to Successful Card Counter | BJA139

In today's episode, Colin and Joe748 are joined by BJA member Johno, who shares his 30-year journey from a struggling card counter to a successful advantage player. He recounts his early mistakes, such as poor bankroll management and gambling behaviors, which kept him at a break-even level for two decades. Johno highlights how joining Blackjack Apprenticeship transformed his approach through proper strategy, community support, and rigorous practice, ultimately enabling him to retire comfortably as a part-time player.

Mailbag Q&A w/ Joe748 Pt 2: Countermeasures, Camo, and Cover Play | BJA138

In today's episode, Colin and Joe delve into the world of non-technical card counting strategies, focusing on topics like casino surveillance, countermeasures, camouflage, cover play, and legal considerations for advantage players. They discuss tactics to avoid detection, handling back-offs and trespass orders, and explore the limitations of certain camouflage techniques, especially with advances in facial recognition technology. Tune in to learn whether to play side bets for cover, the impact of bank policies on cash management, and using casino intelligence tools to maximize success while staying inconspicuous.

Blackjack Across Borders: International Card Counting With 5am | BJA137

Joe748 and SD1 took over BJA this week and interviewed 5am, a former poker player turned professional card counter. 5am shares his journey from learning basic strategy as a child to becoming a full-time card counter with over six figures in winnings. He recounts experiences playing internationally, the challenges of variance, and navigating casinos that don’t always catch on to his strategies. 5am also reflects on the ups and downs of the profession and how blackjack, despite its swings, offers a more consistent edge than poker.