The Blackjack Apprenticeship Podcast

Mailbag Q&A w/ Joe748: Handling Heat, Betting Strategy, and Test Outs | BJA136

Colin and Joe748 tackle more audience questions. They dive deep into topics like how perfect your test-out skills need to be (hint: 98% isn’t good enough), how to handle betting strategies without raising casino suspicions, and whether deviations for different games are worth learning. Colin and Joe discuss real-world scenarios, like what to do when you encounter another card counter at the table and how to wong in and out without drawing attention. Finally, they explore how larger vs. smaller casinos can affect your play, and how much heat you can expect when scaling from green to black chips.

[Rebroadcast] $1.2 million Card Counter “Yoshi” | BJA043

Today we're revisiting a classic interview from 2019 with an AP who goes by the name “Yoshi.” For those who don’t know his story, Yoshi is a card counter who turned $3,000 into $1.2 million in two years of full-time play. He has recently taken an indefinite break from AP to pursue other interests. In this interview we discuss:
– The road from beginner to pro
– What led to his decision to step away from advantage play.
– His perspective looking back at the last 2 years
– His advice for other card counters and APs

Are Casinos Really Evil? A Debate on Morality and Profits | BJA135

Colin is joined by Loudon Often, SD1, JCnote, Joe748, and Nickels, to discuss the morality of casinos. The discussion is centered around two BJA forum posts—one condemning casinos as “evil” for taking advantage of intoxicated/unskilled players, and a counterpoint that emphasizes that not all casino employees or situations are harmful. They explore whether casinos are inherently immoral, the ethics of profiting off vulnerable players, and the role of advantage players in the system.

The Poker Episode: Phil Galfond on High Stakes and Personal Growth | BJA134

Colin takes a break from blackjack and talks to legendary high stakes poker pro Phil Galfond about his journey in professional poker. He shares how the game has evolved to advanced solvers and emphasizes the importance of adapting strategies to opponents. Phil also shares insights on the mental challenges of poker, his proudest achievements, and balancing his passion for the game with family life and business ventures.
If you want to see Colin and Phil compare professional Card Counting and Poker head over to the Blackjack Apprenticeship YouTube channel and watch that video!

[Rebroadcast] Blackjack Players, Bootcamp Grads, and Barbers “BCD” and “SmurfAP” | BJA052

Today we revisit an interview with BJA Bootcamp Grads "BCD" and "SmurfAP" that many of you may have missed the first time around in 2019.
In this podcast we discuss:
- How to handle winning and losing as team members
- Playing Blackjack after taking a break
- Bankroll Goals
- Business and Passion

From Novice to Pro w/ GoFlamesGo | BJA133

In today's episode, Joe748 and SD1 interview GoFlamesGo, a BJA member who joined in 2020 and quickly transitioned to full-time card counting. GoFlamesGo shares his journey from discovering blackjack during the COVID-19 lockdown to attending a bootcamp and quitting his job to pursue card counting full-time. He recounts his early experiences in casinos, the support he received from his family, and the challenges and rewards of being a professional card counter.

Outside Investors and Forming Teams w/ LightningMcAces and SolidestDawg | BJA132

Today Joe748 and SD1 are joined by LightningMcAces and SolidestDawg to discuss their transition from solo card counting to forming a team with an outside investor. LightningMcAces shares his journey from discovering card counting during quarantine to perfecting his skills in 2023. SolidestDawg recounts how the movie "21" inspired him to start card counting and his early experiences. The discussion covers the pros and cons of taking investment, team dynamics, trust issues, handling backoffs, and the financial implications of their career choices.

Beating the House: Don Johnson's $15 Million Blackjack Story | BJA131

In today's podcast, Colin interviews Don Johnson, a former horse jockey, racetrack CEO, and Blackjack Hall of Famer known for winning $15 million in Atlantic City by negotiating favorable lost rebates. Don shares his journey from horse racing to professional blackjack, detailing how he identified and capitalized on advantageous betting conditions. He emphasizes the importance of understanding the game, meeting the right people, and negotiating with casinos to maximize his edge.You can also see this interview in video on the Blackjack Apprenticeship Youtube!

[Rebroadcast] "The Phoenix" and the $300,000 Side Bet | BJA036

We're revisiting a classic episode where BJA Pro "The Phoenix" shares his incredible journey, revealing the side bet that earned him $300,000 in 10 months. He discusses what he's been up to since achieving his financial goals, the events leading to his discovery of the lucrative side bet, and how he almost quit the game altogether. "The Phoenix" also delves into his unique strategy for maintaining a positive atmosphere in the casino and explains how card counters can "create their own luck."

Mailbag Q&A W/ SD1: Investing Outside AP, Wonging Out, and Table Abuse | BJA130

In this mailbag episode, Colin and Joe748 sit down with SD1 and address questions about advanced play strategies, including the importance of “wonging out” during negative counts, and the impact of technology on card counting. They also discuss handling verbal abuse at the tables and secure cash management practices. As a bonus, the guys dive into how they invest the extra income generated from card counting.