Watch Mark Wahlberg Destroy at Blackjack and Talk Shop on The Gambler

Mark Wahlberg generously tossed in the big blind to help Rolling Stone kick off a new video series, Research and Destroy, in which actors and actresses discuss how they prepfor roles.

Deck of cards in hand, Wahlberg talked up his latest movie, The Gambler, a remake of the 1974 James Caan film of the same name. The original movie was written by James Toback and inspired byhis experience as a literature professor, who would moonlight as a high-stakes gambler. While Wahlbergs character goes by a different name (Jim Bennett), he called on both his own experience and Tobacks life for the film.

I played a lot of poker, I played a lot of Texas Hold Em, I played a lot of blackjack, Wahlberg said, after showing off his card-handling skills. But preparation wasnt all fun and games: I didnt eat food, not because I didnt want to, because I like food a lot, Wahlbergsaid. The director [Rupert Wyatt] asked me to be as thin as possible.

Wahlberg also dealt out a few hands of blackjack, going head to head with the Rolling Stone camera crew, who had to learn the hard way: The house always wins. You can check out The Gambler in theaters now.