$50k Counting Cards: How This Middle School Teacher Did It

“Jkat” a middle school teacher spent his summer vacation doing something unexpected. Traveling from casino to casino across the country, racking up over $50k in winnings by counting cards at Blackjack. We discuss the challenges and experiences our guest encountered during this unforgettable card counting road trip that took him coast to coast.
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0:00 How Jkat found Card Counting
06:43 1st year playing
09:58 Traveling locally
10:32 Summer road trip plan
14:10 Charging an EV
17:45 Sleeping in Casino Parking Lots
22:15 Work/Play Balance
23:18 Backoffs & Aggressive Play
25:38 Planning Casino Routes
30:04 Showing I.D.
33:38 Students & Donating to Schools
36:00 Money Protection
39:35 Favorite Town & Illegal Surfing
43:54 Trip Stats & Partying with Ploppies
49:12 Blackjack Road Trip Advice

[@NBT_Data]

Imagine reaching the legal age to enter a casino and you see your middle school teacher presumably gambling inside of it with thousands of dollars.

[@terpsurfer7221]

I'll do you one better. I grew up around AC and had my former math teacher as a dealer once. I barely passed her class(never did homework) but was in the casino, clearing her chip rack and walked with $3k in a couple of hours. She never really liked me but she respected the fuck out of me after that night.

[@user-bx9ri2qv3y]

@@terpsurfer7221 and then everyone clapped

[@nathanielbrown4049]

" I pulled you over because you are far from home" ok well have a good day officer. *drives off*

[@Bobbirae2121]

Great interview! Loved hearing from someone who enjoyed being on the road and in the casinos. I know it can lonely and a grind, but hearing an enjoyable side of AP life was hopeful for me one day while I’m still in the training phase.

[@JDQBMIC]

Congratulations JKat! That is very impressive. I truly enjoyed listening to your story.

[@bluesportg14]

Loving the testimonial videos this should definitely encourage people to learn rather than gamble blindly

[@christophercarlone9945]

3:52 I am guessing this was at Foxwoods at the H17 8D. They use facial recognition software nowadays. I can't confirm it but I believe Mohegan Sun uses separate surveillance departments for Casino of the Earth and Casino of the Sky. I also believe though cannot confirm that they use older/outdated surveillance systems because they never bothered me and I was there five to six days a week when I was doing it full time. You can't have longetivity at Foxwoods unless you use aliases, disguises, and rental vehicles. Mohegan Sun is a great starter casino for any low bankroll APs because they don't care unless you spread over 500 or play there everyday like I did for a year lmao

[@danield8094]

Fun story. Love hearing these blackjack road trip chronicles.

[@HQBanger]

It’s taken me years to become a full time profitable counter, there’s been many stages in my blackjack career. 18-20 ploppy, 21-26 99% basic strategy player / suito counter who was still playing with a small disadvantage and finally 27-28 the last year where I’ve put hundreds of hours into practice, education and real time on the tables. Only then was i able to have a true advantage and have made mid 5 figures over 400 hours of table time, mainly solo. I’d go as far as saying 90-95% of people who “think” they have the edge really don’t. Casinos are backing off more gamblers than players who have a real edge over them I can all but guarantee that. I remember my first back off at the el Cortez a few years ago, lasted 15 minutes and I was a break even player at best. It’s crazy how they are overly concerned with BJ AP’s to a fault. I never got the AP distain for casinos until I was backed off from every one in my region. If you still have love for the game after the travel, variance and backoffs much respect!

[@christophercarlone9945]

Well said, once you learn the trade it's hard to walk away from it. I don't play often but when I do it's far and few between. I'm glad you got your game right and bankroll management under wraps. My bankroll management when I first started was non existent and I suffered for it. Bankroll management is key imo

[@HQBanger]

@@christophercarlone9945 absolutely! Over betting is usually a weak point for aspiring AP’s. Now that I’m more seasoned I find myself if anything under betting in the name of limiting heat. It’s really the only “cover” I use. In situations where I’m being hawked I may opt to throw out $95 at TC4 instead of $100 to avoid the “checks play” call out. Other times I might stick to one hand instead of two as I strongly believe that’s a red flag. If I’m at a small one off the beaten path establishment I’ll open up the full gambit. The hardest aspect for me now is balancing EV with overall longevity, not as much of a concern if you’re part time. It’s tough for me, I’m more in the maximizer camp. I’ve been pulled aside by other AP’s in the bathroom or outside of the casino before. Usually the response goes something like “man, you’re gonna get thrown out so quick!” Or “what the hell is your spread” lol. In the most polite way possible I’ll tell them I’m here to make money, not to gamble or grind for $7 P/H… 😂

[@Fede_uyz]

5 figures in 400 hours. a full time job gets you 400 hours in 2.5 months (10weeks) Even if you reached low 5 figures (12k) in 10 weeks the. Its the equivalent (time and money wise) to a 63k ish a year job. If you made around 25k, thats around 130k a year job. Well done

[@HQBanger]

@@Fede_uyz it’s very hard to get 40 hours of table time in a week counting travel, accounting and practice that 40 turns into 60-65 fairly quick. My hourly EV is slightly more than the 40 hour a week job I left in 2022 although my hours are cut in about 1/3 to what I would have gotten at my 9/5. I could get close to 40 hours a week but that’s a lofty goal, I’ll do week rotations in different regions. Play 60/70 hours in that week solely focusing on BJ and then take a week or two off focusing on my other investments.

[@Savagemister]

This is why I love listening to those out there on the road in the grind....I get new ways to deal with the ID dance.

[@sophiasavanna1329]

Great interview.. I throughly enjoyed his stories

[@seangorman3959]

Great interview! Inspired me to do a mini-trip through surrounding states' casinos.

[@heckflorian7991]

Hi Colin. I like you're videos. More please. 🎉

[@danimal0126]

Hey Colin! I just found your channel. I’ve really learned a lot and I am enjoying the content! Thanks!

[@danimal0126]

43:49 bro I’m from KC! 😂😂that’s how we get down!! 😂😅

[@chuckecheese4124]

I love these POD Casts, gets my adrenaline pumping!

[@warislife4310]

Good conversation with JKAT. Interesting and valuable and good for my personal motivation. Stuck in Oklahoma ante games is a super drag!

[@Rsquared23]

Most of the casinos in Oklahoma don’t charge antes Monday through Thursday or Friday

[@warislife4310]

@@Rsquared23 Not true in the OKC area. I have heard casinos up North near Kansas border waive it with a players card but not at all in my area.

[@1dayuwill_295]

The grand in Shawnee waves the ante Monday to Thursday. Margaritaville in Tulsa is waving it until June if you get a players card.

[@isagsd5502]

What an EPIC trip!!!! I’d love to hear more about the California casinos and how they treated you.

[@emmanuelvacakis4463]

The California casinos I’ve been to all have unbeatable blackjack games. They use continuous shuffle machines, or have absolutely hideous rules such as 6-5 blackjack and a $1 house commission on every hand per $100 bets. So a $1 commission on a $10 bet, a $2 commission on a $105 bet etc.

[@user-bx9ri2qv3y]

@@emmanuelvacakis4463 That's funny, considering every single California casino I've been to has had 3 to 2, no CSM, no commission, and having LS. I think you must have gone to some really shit ones.

[@neilpritchard4734]

it blows my mind casinos can ban you from being smarter than them.

[@magicjim1]

It makes sense to me. It is a private business.

[@MikeyD594]

You're actively abusing their weaknesses and damaging their business, ofcourse they should be able to ban you The only thing they can do to actually stop it is to stop offering blackjack, but they wont because they still make loads of money from it

[@neilpritchard4734]

@@magicjim1 it definitely makes sense to me. it just blows my mind that people still dump their money in when the house is literally telling you, if you figure out how to beat us we will ban you lolol

[@tamlornlyon1059]

It blows my mind that this is a game you can win at! Cardcounting literally cant destroy the casinos btw colin has a video on those numbers

[@hersheyskwertz9315]

@@tamlornlyon1059 what’s more mind blowing is that the casinos still come out way ahead at the end of the year after the card counters take their cut

[@CaptainFrandy]

Been waiting on an upload!

[@joey86bu1]

Always fun when variance swings in your favor. I had a shoe at the Hilton once, back in the day, where the count was at -2 to +1 the whole shoe (8 deck) (was mad i couldn't bet more), and lost only like 10 hands or something absurd like that.

[@caseyhoward9101]

No better way to draw heat than to go surfing on a beach you're told not to. Haha.

[@reklaw3603]

brilliant! I use my car, an Audi TT to sleep in when i get tired, when you are tired, you will sleep, anywhere! use campsites, truck stops or gyms to shower.

[@Jeremy_the_bot]

Thank you for blurring the faces. So much better.

[@grahajas1096]

What an awesome story.

[@Nubs1981]

Good stuff guys

[@majorleagueblackjack27]

There is certain casinos where i feel completely comfortable and safe sleeping in my car with blackout shades. I get away with this for weeks sometimes. And i once got the knock like you did and i was the only car in the lot. This was at Harrah's norcal. Oh and baby wipes alone arent enough for me to feel clean. Gotta have a planet fitness membership.

[@jima611]

In a few years everything will be 6/5 and continues shuffle.

[@johndematteo5087]

Never happen in a million years. The locals just won’t play those games…they only play 3/2 with a real shoe. Only rich tourists who stay on the strip in Vegas and don’t want to travel anywhere else just play the 6/5 CSM games out of convenience.

[@tylerandfriendsgaming1546]

I play probably 5 to 7 hours every 2 weeks at my local casino to avoid having them remember me and I might disappear to go hang out at Raising Canes or a McDonald's to just get out of there till shift change if I am getting heat.

[@ianandersen265]

At higher stakes you are lucky if you even last that long. A huge casino you can get away with a lot more.

[@tylerandfriendsgaming1546]

@Ian Andersen it has been nice to me to float around one of my local casino and try to stay around but also avoid the pit boss realize I'm back counting.

[@1975normal]

That was fun to listen to 😂❤🃏

[@pi3man252]

So my dad has been going to soaring eagle casino a long time and apparently they are terrible at catching counters. He is a dice controller in craps and say what you want but with enough skill it works. Hes up 50000g in total winnings. He talks to The cool pit bosses and dealers.

[@toddbarnes8104]

Lots of casinos out West have RV spots on the property! Some I have been to even offer it free, WITH ELECTRICITY even, if you get a players club card. Yes, I know, you don’t want to show ID, but this is just FYI.

[@CAFETIBURON]

I hope I don’t lose my local casino. I enjoy the people and the place.

[@bryangwk]

lol the way joe presents himself

[@Robosan4000]

JKAT - get a 2018 or older Model S where the free supercharging will transfer to a new owner (buy private party, not from Tesla - they remove the free supercharging) then you can save all of the supercharging expenses you are paying now.

[@MS-hg9fe]

Any details on how he retrofitted his car like amazon links to mattress, black-out shades, fridge, etc, tks

[@ShinGodzilla1011]

Also from nyc I just started playing black jack it’s hard to believe how fun the game could be, sadly the only casino near me uses virtual machines only

[@akllls617]

Fox woods ? Mohegan ?

[@greybanani6174]

Hi this is mubeen I have been watching you about an year ago it’s been a great experience learning from your videos but now I really wanna from how to meet you? Iam from India

[@jerome8492]

This was a Tesla interview disguised as a blackjack interview

[@creightonjason]

Ha ha ha!

[@jakesmayes168]

How do you feel about the double up variant of black jack where you can double your bet if you like your first 2 cards but 16 is a draw

[@garylee2635]

I follow my work around and hit the local casinos. If I get to far from my work where I need a shower then I like going to the gym every morning anyway so I shower afterwards. Since I am often recognized from my work (I'm an actor) the casino personnel just want to ask me the same stupid questions and I'm not watched unless I get crazy with my bet spread.

[@Trip6Flicks]

west pa - rivers, meadows, live, lady luck

[@dachin99]

Rip currents in Lake Michigan. People don’t play with that 😂

[@CajunGreenMan]

Lockpickinglawyer and Bosnian Bill do great reviews of safes.

[@jessewright8556]

What bja app is he talking about in the beginning

[@yourfriendlyneighborhoodic128]

22:42 when casinos can stop you from paying because of your sikill , it's no longer truly gambling. the casino is avoiding gthe gamble. this should be illegal.

[@pauldalnoky6055]

Not in NJ. I'm surprised few APs come here. I live here.

[@terpsurfer7221]

NJ is terrible for any long term play. I grew up right next to AC in a family of dealers, APs, and poker pros. The casinos are state property so they can't really make you leave. They can't tell you you can't play, but they will bring out a CSM, cut the shoe in half, change payouts mid shoe. Pretty much anything they can to coerce you to leave. If you play a small spread or play basic strategy and go for maximizing comps you're better off but still.

[@pauldalnoky6055]

@terpsurfer7221 the rules are fine. You can get a 6-deck shoe in the high roller (which I'm not even close to now), but red chipping it I'm up 2 of the last 3 years and have fun helping out the other players with their strategy

[@bbustin1747]

Back offed in 91of 96 casinos ? Hey your mug is sitting on every pit bosses screen

[@jimmyb5304]

I hope I never lose my local

[@1975normal]

What a real “Jack” would act like if cards could come to life🃏

[@Matthew-oq1hx]

W finally beat the house that’s what casinos get

[@MikeBhular]

sadly they didn’t really feel this

[@bbustin1747]

All you need more is a deodorant stick and you’re good. with the gas savings and electric bill. I’d get a hotel room 😂

[@variancejunky]

Wait until you gonna interview variancejunky😂

[@genessis43]

This guy spent 30 mins reminding us he owns a Tesla lmao

[@creightonjason]

He is embarrassed and tried to make it look 'normal'

[@BallZagna1020]

If only the salary and value of a quality teachers matched the cost of living in NY these days, one might not have to count cards. Nice grind though!!!

[@perlaparedes3926]

I hope you guys are tipping the dealer! ???

[@Glucklich99]

How can ypu do card counting?? All are now automated card machine

[@tyronneschiller9153]

Hi Colin or anyone who can answer this, if you can't count cards yet what is the best way with basic stategy to place your bets, straight up with no progression or trying a strategy?

[@Lidz2193]

If you can’t count best way to play is to just play as small as possible and have fun. $10 bets every hand. That way the house keeps as little of your money as possible.

[@kevinbillamay]

JKAT the God!!

[@itotanianthony]

Do you teach people how to play/win in blackjack?

[@creightonjason]

Buy your self a copy of Casino Vertie as well as Knockout Blackjack book and teach your self using it, I did when I was getting over brain damage from a near fatal stroke. So anyone can with enough effort.

[@therealevh]

Damn, must have been easy for them to get your ID when you want the pit bosses phone number.

[@Jeremy_the_bot]

I'm picturing this guy as a chubby Garrett adelstein.

[@charlesellis792]

civil asset forfiture is what would concern me the most. cops will steal your money. so a safe is so important.

[@seangorman3959]

Yeah, carrying that much cash is a bad idea because cops will just take it, especially in Nebraska.

[@creightonjason]

In the UK the coppers can take your money if its more than about £350 !!!

[@mikecara3271]

2 x 100? Huh? I am an old player from the 70s in Vegas… I am now 70 years old and still grinding. These young guys, and this different way of playing…betting as much as possible…until they get backed off… Has hurt the game in many ways… Rules are worse, more heat, etc. I don’t like it, but I’m not part of a team ….don’t have that kind of bankroll, etc. Any rate and in someway they help us guys like me… Because they bring less heat on me as I grind away

[@tomf5823]

2x100 isn't much. I don't think people playing till they get kicked out causes rules to be worse. Heat is worse bc surveillance is better, technology has changed a lot etc. It's also worse bc in many cases casino management is stupid and short sighted. If you got backed off in the 70s the casino might not even have cameras let alone to flier you quickly. even 20 years ago the pictures they might fax would be shitty grainy pictures. Blasting away until you get backed off isn't the only way to play, but it's an option today with so many casinos everywhere. If I'm in an area I'll never be in again why back myself off by quitting before I'm backed off? Now in areas near where you live it makes sense to not push it.

[@guibox3]

Yeah. My only casino is in the big city 2.5 hours away. I might get there once a month if that. When I go, I'm not going to be betting like a madman drawing heat and risking a back off. I have only a 1-5 spread at a $10 table. I use green $25 chips to disguise the size of my stack rather than going from 2 red chips to a stack of 10-12 chips. I play conservative and usually the people around me are betting much more disguising my play. I usually walk out $250-$350 in profit and that is good enough for me.

[@mikecara3271]

@@guibox3 Basically , what I do too. Good work

[@mikecara3271]

@@tomf5823 if I’m a boss… And I worked in the casinos many years… If you go from 2 to 100 you are immediately getting my attention. Not so much getting backed off changes the rules… But the greed of the casinos (or their brains) have contributed to rule changes, and the fear of counters in general, has changed the rules.

[@mikecara3271]

@@tomf5823 they had good cameras in the old days… Certainly not as good as today, but they could zero in on most things

[@majorleagueblackjack27]

Foxwoods is extremely sweaty

[@RealSnoob]

What do you mean by that? Do they back off a lot of players?

[@majorleagueblackjack27]

@@RealSnoob yes. They are sharp and they get nervous when they see you betting big. They will put you in OSN as well. Even if your max bet is like $50 ive heard of them putting people in there.

[@RealSnoob]

Have you ever tried Mohegan?

[@majorleagueblackjack27]

@@RealSnoob yes i have.

[@TheLexbank]

He’s not annoying at all!!

[@africanchild5932]

How do I file my taxes or do i not file taxes as an ap player I dont wanna get fucked by the irs

[@Nubs1981]

Casinos limit all tables, close pit... "We will save $$$ no matter how much it costs" 🤦‍♂️

[@PC-xv5uz]

Tesla add!!!

[@Vativ]

You should change the title from "won" to "made" considering counting cards isn't really luck.

[@Lidz2193]

Ask Joe if he will lend me that disguise he has on. 😂 I’m sure it’ll help my longevity.

[@Blackjackapprenticeship]

What disguise? 😏

[@Lidz2193]

@@Blackjackapprenticeship 😂😂😂😂

[@dbloiterer]

I've met Joe at a boot camp and confirm that's what he looks like... are you trying to say there's something wrong with how he looks? 😂

[@slickspade]

Can you count cards on a digital blackjack machine?

[@tim314]

The problem that I saw at the casinos on digital blackjack are they re suffle after every hand and they pay 6:5 or worse at black jack, even money

[@Jeremy_the_bot]

You technically can count. But it won't help you.

[@johndematteo5087]

Too slow bad pen

[@jackhalas9493]

Elon Musk likes this. 👍

[@Agent0range67]

40:20

[@reklaw3603]

safe is useless! No matter what you do, they will take it, or maim you to open it. get a blanker plate, with space behind identical to dash, where only you know how to access. Fool proof!

[@erictang7213]

This one’s not a particularly interesting guest vs one of the regular videos

[@vr2854]

From my experience its not an easy job at all counting and playing. Most people would probably be better just finding an AVERAGE second gig that pays. I'll keep trying but I'm breaking even at best...and had i put so much time into something else the results would be much better

[@rustycolon9368]

also extremely stressful way to live. Especially if you have a 25k downswing or can't get a good game.

[@tomf5823]

the masks probably helped a lot with getting hours in Arthur Ave deli hell yea!

[@LucasMartins-el7kn]

Unfortunately I don't live in the US and in my country casinos are illegal, otherwise I would've enrolled in your bootcamp to become a professional card counter...

[@MikeyD594]

early again B)

[@FreedomIsAChoice777]

I love city people talking about the rural population like they don’t know what a Tesla is, lol. We know what Tesla’s are, but I doubt he knows what a low crime rate is.

[@yourfriendlyneighborhoodic128]

15:49 nobody cares about your ev experienc3e sir. stick to black jack. most of us will never want an ev.

[@ytrbro1041]

sorry he seems like a really cool guy but he brought way too much attention to himself, it seems these counters should be playing for a couple of hours, then take a break or go to another casino but the steady playing till you max out or they come and ask you to leave is the wrong move. You can tell he was very desperate and needed money. (sleeping in his car)

[@montywatson8099]

But what about a shower snd bath

[@poopsacky]

Can you beat the casino by learning variations and not changing your bets?

[@Mauricio-kf8qx]

No. Only way to beat the house is to count cards.

[@neatstuff1988]

You could also lose ten thousand that is sitting if you don't walk away

[@geoffreysearby3181]

Not being funny but my daughter had great remote education during COVID. Did this dude just sack off his pupils education so he could go play blackjack. Doesn't sit well.

[@tomf5823]

overall remote education was a joke and went on for way too long.

[@richeyrich2203]

He only played during the summer. He didn’t sack off anything. Everyone still have a summer vacation.

[@geoffreysearby3181]

Not convinced. Sounded to me like he was gloating about having some underling teaching his kids beginner, intermediate and advanced jumping jacks while he did off and played blackjack.

[@user-el5cv1hc9k]

THATS WHY......we don't go to CASHEENHOLES...........anymore