Podcast Summary: Blackjack Corruption: Cops and Casinos EXPOSED | Blackjack Advisors DSH #725

Podcast Information:

• Title: Digital Social Hour
• Host: Sean Kelly
• Episode: Blackjack Corruption: Cops and Casinos EXPOSED | Blackjack Advisors DSH #725
• Release Date: September 18, 2024
• Guest: Rick from Blackjack Advisors

Introduction

In this episode of Digital Social Hour, host Sean Kelly delves deep into the intricate world of blackjack with Rick, a seasoned professional from Blackjack Advisors. The conversation navigates through advanced blackjack strategies, the operational dynamics of blackjack teams, encounters with casino corruption, and the challenges of maintaining an edge in both physical and online casinos.

Understanding Blackjack Strategies

Card Counting and Mathematical Edge

Rick begins by explaining the foundational aspects of blackjack card counting, emphasizing the necessity of accumulating extensive playing hours to realize long-term gains. He states:

“You need a lot of hours to reach the long run. That's the game. Right. Because we play with a small edge.”
[01:04]

Rick elaborates on his approach, highlighting a 2% edge gained through perfect mathematical play and counting:

“We switched that back into average 2% for the player.”
[01:36]

He underscores the importance of maintaining emotional control, asserting that blackjack is a solved game where each decision is mathematically optimal. Rick emphasizes using the count to adjust betting strategies, ensuring that players capitalize on favorable conditions while minimizing losses during unfavorable ones.

Building and Managing a Blackjack Team

Operational Structure and Revenue

Rick discusses the operational aspects of running a successful blackjack team, which comprised six members during the previous year, generating a gross revenue of over $50,000 per month. He outlines the team structure:

“We have four full-time players and two part-time players...”
[05:08]

Revenue distribution is straightforward, with profits split 50% to players and 50% to investors. This model allows team members to reinvest and scale their operations effectively.

Training and Expansion

Initially self-taught, Rick expanded his expertise by training trustworthy individuals, guiding them through the same rigorous process he endured. He notes the importance of memory in mastering card counting, breaking down the learning process into four key steps:

1. Basic Strategy (The Book)
2. Introducing the Count (Adding and Subtracting)
3. Dividing the Running Count by the True Count (Deck Estimation)
4. Deviations from the Basic Strategy Based on the Count

Rick shares that some team members master these steps in as little as three months with dedicated practice, while others, like himself, took longer.

Interactions with Casinos and Potential Corruption

Experiences of Being Backed Off

Rick candidly shares his encounters with casino management when employing his strategies. He recounts a significant incident in Washington State:

“I think this is what saved me. But the manager said, yeah, let him cash out... and they cashed me out. I got out of there with just a trespass.”
[11:14]

This experience highlighted the subtle yet palpable corruption between law enforcement and casinos, where management often dictates terms to advantage players without severe repercussions. Rick emphasizes that while some in the advantage player community have faced arrests, most interactions result in polite back-offs rather than legal confrontations.

Casino Policies and Their Impact

Rick explains how casinos implement various measures to counteract card counting and maintain their edge. Notably, he distinguishes between:

• Automatic Shufflers (Fine for Card Counters): These systems shuffle predefined multi-deck shoes, allowing card counters to maintain their edge.

• Continuous Shuffling Machines (CSMs): These pose significant challenges for advantage players as they disrupt the count, making it nearly impossible to gain an edge through traditional card counting.

He asserts:

“If you're just a card counter, the CSMs are a nightmare.”
[03:07]

Challenges in Online Blackjack

Unbeatability of Online Casinos

Rick addresses the viability of applying card counting strategies in online casinos, concluding that:

“It's not beatable online.”
[07:00]

Online casinos often modify game rules unfavorably for players, such as reducing the number of decks and limiting strategic options like doubling after splitting. These changes significantly increase the house edge, rendering card counting ineffective.

Training and Educating Aspiring Players

Educational Initiatives and Partnerships

Rick emphasizes the importance of education in sustaining successful blackjack operations. He mentions partnering with Blackjack Apprenticeship, a renowned platform for learning advanced blackjack techniques. Additionally, Rick’s team has launched a school focusing on live training sessions, allowing real-time interaction with professionals and addressing common misconceptions in the advantage player community.

“We've partnered with them. You'll find that through our Instagram bio... and then we launched a school focusing on live streams.”
[26:31]

Essential Tools for Advantage Players

Rick recommends the use of specific software to manage bankrolls and assess risk, stating:

“The software that is on there is mandatory... you'll be able to see, like, based on your bankroll size, what's possible with this bankroll...”
[26:43]

Personal Experiences and Insights

Travel and Lifestyle Perks

Rick highlights the lifestyle advantages of being an advantage player, such as extensive travel opportunities and forming lifelong friendships within the team. He enjoys experiencing diverse casino environments and appreciates the camaraderie that comes with operating within a trusted team framework.

“Half the fun of the job is like, you're coming through like this crazy little town... the money is great, but the camaraderie and friendships are even better.”
[16:20]

Handling Stress and Maintaining Focus

Acknowledging the high-stress nature of advantage play, Rick discusses strategies to manage pressure, including controlled alcohol consumption to maintain focus during long gaming sessions.

“If I'm gonna be drinking, it's because I want to last longer, not because I want to get drunk.”
[25:20]

Notable Quotes

• "Playing perfect mathematically is solved blackjack."
  [01:59]

• "The casinos are so powerful that they can dictate laws in some ways."
  [11:14]

• "The hard part comes later, but gaining the edge is manageable."
  [19:03]

• "Blackjack's pretty good. It's average 3% house edge because people don't play the book."
  [13:51]

• "It's a stressful endeavor. It's not easy money, but it can be good money when done right."
  [16:07]

Conclusion

This episode of Digital Social Hour provides an in-depth exploration of the strategic, operational, and ethical dimensions of advantage play in blackjack. Rick from Blackjack Advisors offers valuable insights into effective card counting, the intricacies of running a blackjack team, and navigating the complex relationships with casinos. His experiences shed light on the persistent challenges and rewards of maintaining an edge in both physical and online gaming environments. Aspiring advantage players can greatly benefit from Rick’s expertise and the educational resources he advocates.

Resources Mentioned:

• Blackjack Apprenticeship: [Link in Instagram bio]
• Blackjack Advisors School: Live training sessions and consultations

For those interested in mastering blackjack and understanding the nuances of advantage play, Rick’s advice and Blackjack Advisors’ resources offer a comprehensive pathway to success.